Texas requires Tesla NACS plug for new EV charging stations

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【Summary】Texas has mandated that new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations use Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug in order to qualify for federal tax funding. The requirement faced objections from five EV charging companies, citing concerns about supply chain and certification. Texas, being the largest recipient of the grant, wants to standardize Tesla connectors across the industry.

FutureCar Staff Aug 20, 2023 7:30 AM PT

Texas requires Tesla NACS plug for new EV charging stations

Texas has taken a significant step towards solidifying Tesla's electric vehicle charging infrastructure as the dominant system in the United States. The state has approved a plan that mandates the installation of Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) at new charging stations. This requirement is seen as crucial for Texas to qualify for federal tax funding.

The proposal for this requirement was initially put forward in July but faced objections from five EV charging companies. These companies expressed concerns about the supply chain and certification of Tesla's connectors, arguing that it could jeopardize the successful deployment of EV chargers. They called for more time to evaluate Elon Musk's proprietary Supercharger network.

In a letter to the Texas Transportation Commission, the group stated, "Time is needed to properly standardize, test, and certify the safety and interoperability of Tesla connectors across the industry."

The disbursement of a portion of the $5 billion in funding allocated by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program is at stake. Texas is the largest recipient of this grant. Federal regulations mandate that companies must offer the already-established Combined Charging System (CCS), which is the preferred U.S. standard under the Biden administration, as a minimum requirement to be eligible for the funds. However, individual states can impose additional requirements on top of CCS before distributing the federal funds.

Some speculate that politics may have influenced Texas' decision. The state is Tesla's home base and has the third-highest number of EV registrations in the country. Most EVs on the road, excluding Tesla vehicles, currently utilize CCS to connect to DC fast chargers. In recent months, major automakers such as Ford, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Rivian, and Volvo have all committed to equipping their future vehicles with NACS.