Tesla Charging Network Nears Industry Standard Status
Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced that it will follow in the footsteps of General Motors and Ford by joining Tesla's charging network in the coming year. As part of this integration, Rivian will also adopt Tesla's charging connector, marking a significant step towards establishing it as the industry standard.
While existing Rivian vehicles will require an adapter to connect to Tesla chargers, the company plans to equip its vehicles manufactured from 2025 onwards with a standard Tesla charging port. This move aligns with the auto industry's growing consideration of Tesla's connector, known as the North American Charging Standard. Currently, most automakers, excluding Tesla, employ the CCS connector developed in collaboration with the Society of Automotive Engineers. Tesla's Superchargers hold appeal for other automakers due to their extensive direct current fast-charging infrastructure in the US, strategically located along major travel routes. Consequently, several automakers are exploring the transition to Tesla's connector. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stated that his company's US teams are evaluating the switch and will make a decision in the coming weeks. However, concerns exist regarding dependency on Tesla as a potential drawback.
A few years back, Hertz took a bold step by purchasing 30,000 Teslas, aiming to electrify 20% of its rental fleet.