BMW iX (carscoops.com)
The BMW Group has announced that its BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce brands will adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug style championed by Tesla for electric and electrified vehicles sold in North America.
Starting in early 2025, vehicles from these brands will come equipped with the ability to use Tesla’s charging stations in North America. They will also be able to locate Supercharger locations through their vehicle display and make payments through the respective brand’s app.
This decision will specifically apply to vehicles sold in the United States and Canada, while in Europe, the Combined Charging System (CCS) plug style will continue to be used, as it is mandated for customer convenience.
This move by BMW follows a trend in the industry, as several automakers have decided to adopt the NACS plug for their electric vehicles. Ford was one of the first automakers to make this announcement, and others like GM, Rivian, Volvo, Mercedes, Nissan, Jaguar, the Hyundai Group, and more have since followed suit.
The NACS plug has gained popularity in the United States and Canada largely due to Tesla’s early lead in the electric vehicle market and its reliable charging ports. BMW’s decision to adopt this plug is separate from its involvement in a joint venture charging network with six other automakers in North America. The goal of this venture is to establish 30,000 new chargers in the near future, supporting both the NACS and CCS plugs.