Recently, Tesla announced that it would be opening up its Supercharger network to other electric vehicle brands beginning in 2021. Along with this announcement, Tesla also revealed that it would be introducing its North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug, which is different from the more common SAE J1772 charge port used by nearly every other electric vehicle produced for North America. A report from VerticalScope Fora communities shows that owners of other EV brands actually want to switch to Tesla’s NACS plugs. Let’s explore the findings of this research.
VerticalScope Fora communities conducted research to find out the opinions of electric vehicle owners about the switch to Tesla’s NACS charging network.
To get our answers, we tapped into the immense power for the VerticalScope Fora communities. For those unfamiliar, Fora has over 1,000 communities that draw more than 100 million unique visitors monthly. These communities feature dedicated, passionate members who are closest, and most knowledgeable about the topics on hand.
Four of the largest EV communities, i4talk.com, Kiaevforums.com, VWIDtalk, and RivianOwnersForum, were selected for this research. The question asked was whether other brands should make the switch to Tesla’s NACS charging network or not. The choices available were Yes, No, or Undecided.
The response was overwhelming, with nearly 750 responses received from the four forums. Out of these respondents, 58% answered ‘Yes,’ 29% said ‘No,’ and around 13% said they were ‘Undecided.’ These results suggest that most EV owners who use other brands, believe that they should switch to Tesla’s NACS.
So what could be the reason for this overwhelming result? Tesla’s NACS charging standard is capable of a higher charging rate compared to the SAE J1772 charge port. Tesla’s Superchargers, which will use the new NACS plug, can deliver a charging rate of up to 250 kW. This means an electric vehicle with a larger battery can obtain a 75-mile range in only five minutes of charging.
Additionally, Tesla has deployed a vast network of Superchargers already, and with the upcoming expansion of this network, Tesla’s NACS could become the most accessible charging option for EV drivers.
Another reason could be Tesla’s promise of providing a one-stop-shop for all EV services, including charging, maintenance, and repairs. Tesla’s Superchargers are typically located in strategic places such as parking lots of supermarkets, airports, and roadside rest areas. This convenience and accessibility may be further amplified as more brands adopt the NACS plug.
Lastly, Tesla has a reputation for innovation, and their system is reliable and efficient. Tesla’s NACS plug is designed for long-term durability, unlike the SAE J1772, which has a relatively shorter lifespan. Most EV owners expect their charging plug to last for the lifespan of the vehicle. This is perhaps why more and more EV owners are considering switching to Tesla’s NACS charge port.
Overall, the VerticalScope Fora communities research reveals that owners of other EV brands want to switch to Tesla’s NACS plugs overwhelmingly. The convenience, accessibility, reliability, and high charging rates offered by Tesla’s Supercharger network are appealing to EV owners. As the world moves towards a sustainable future, and more electric vehicles flood the roads, Tesla’s NACS plug may become the most popular and widely recognized charging standard. It will be interesting to see how brands will respond to the switch to NACS in the coming years.
