Electrify America, a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, has announced that it will add the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector to its charging networks, while continuing to support the Combined Charging System (CCS-1) plug standard. This move is in response to increasing acceptance of Tesla's NACS by leading automakers like General Motors, Ford, Rivian, and Volvo. Electrify America aims to offer the NACS connector at existing and future charging stations by 2025, as part of the company's commitment to increase vehicle interoperability and streamline public charging.

Meanwhile, SAE International, a professional association and standards organization, is actively working on making Tesla's charging connector an industry standard configuration. This is expected to take six months or less, and will involve discussions with Tesla, Ford, GM, and other automakers, as well as the federal government. The US government's approach to CCS and NACS connectors aims to create a more interoperable and accessible set of chargers across the country.

The inclusion of the NACS connector in the Electrify America's network will further support the growth of the EV industry by providing more charging options for EV drivers. As EV adoption accelerates, Electrify America, with its vast network of more than 850 charging stations with about 4,000 individual chargers, is prepared to meet the changing needs of customers.

This comes in the context of Tesla's charging technology being fast-tracked to become a North American standard, a move supported by multiple automakers. The switch from the CCS1 to the NACS connector may also lead to the elimination of the J1772 AC plug, a separate AC charging plug.

Tesla continues to lead in the luxury brand category in the U.S. with a brand loyalty rate of 68 percent, according to the S&P Global Mobility study. This figure is 18.8 points higher than BMW, the second-place brand, and a 1.1 point increase from the previous year. In addition, Tesla is unique in being the only brand that retains more customers than it loses.

Significantly, Tesla has seen a growth in customer base due to migration from Toyota, with an increase of 2.1 points to 5 percent of Toyota customers making the switch year over year.

In another strategic development for Tesla, starting next year, vehicles made by Ford, General Motors, Rivian, and Volvo will have access to Tesla’s Supercharger network of DC fast chargers across the United States and Canada. Initially, this will be facilitated by a CCS1 to NACS adapter, but starting 2025, these manufacturers will integrate the NACS inlet into their vehicles during assembly.

Numerous automakers are integrating Tesla's well-respected charging technology, however, Lucid CEO, Peter Rawlinson, remains unconvinced. Rawlinson has likened Tesla's charger to either a screw cap or a cork on a bottle, suggesting that the focus should be on the quality of the "wine" (electric vehicle technology) rather than the charger. While companies like Ford, GM, Volvo, and Rivian plan to offer compatibility with Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS), Lucid will continue using the Combined Charging System (CCS). Even though Rawlinson acknowledges Tesla's Supercharger network's reliability, he is cautious about adopting the Tesla plug before it becomes standardized. His reluctance is also based on concerns about a single company owning extensive charging data. Despite having been involved in the creation of the NACS connector while he was the chief engineer of the Model S at Tesla, Rawlinson prefers to uphold his company's tech advancement and avoid unnecessary risks.

At Tesla's Cyber Rodeo event in Austin, Texas, the Cybertruck took center stage with updated features showcased such as handle-less doors, retractable rear glass, side view cameras, and a fender charging port. The truck's interior was previewed, but lacked final production specifications, including a non-airbag equipped yoke.

Tesla's electric vehicle charging technology, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), is being fast-tracked to become a North American standard, with automakers Volvo, General Motors, Ford, and Rivian embracing it over the Combined Charging System (CCS) proposed by the Biden administration. Standards organization SAE International intends to establish an industry-standard configuration of Tesla's charging connector within six months, following discussions with Tesla, other automakers, and the US federal government. The US is expected to have 1.2 million public EV chargers, including 1 million Level 2 chargers, by 2030, which exceeds the Biden administration's target of 500,000 public chargers. The development of this charging network could cost between $33 billion and $55 billion. Tesla-standard plug charging stations may qualify for federal subsidies if they include the CCS. Texas and Washington states intend to mandate the use of NACS and CCS as part of the federal program.

Tesla has ramped up drone restrictions at its Giga Shanghai plant, possibly to protect details about its Project Highland Model 3 refresh. The new measures coincide with the start of Model 3 refresh production earlier in June, during Elon Musk's first visit to China in three years. Drone pilot Wu Wa reports the expansion of the control area around the factory and a flight height limit of 30 meters, making the factory virtually unapproachable. He suggests these measures exceed typical drone control measures in China and were approved by local government. Tesla has been quiet about the Model 3 refresh, which is not merely aesthetic but a complete overhaul. It is expected to be released in late summer or early fall.

SAE International plans to standardize the Tesla-developed North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector for electric vehicles (EVs). This follows various companies, including Ford, General Motors, Rivian, and Volvo, announcing their switch from the SAE J1772 Combined Charging System (CCS) to the NACS. The decision means that the NACS, initially not a consensus-based standard, could become the standard through widespread adoption. The standardization process, which aims to make the NACS universally accessible for use, manufacturing, or deployment, is slated to be completed expediently. It will ensure that all light-duty vehicles in North America use a single charging plug, promoting compatibility across different EVs and charging stations.