NACS vs. CCS: Future-Proof Your EV Charger Strategy

Electric vehicle charging in North America is at a crossroads. Two charging plug standards—the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS)—are competing for dominance. With more automakers embracing NACS, businesses investing in EV charging infrastructure need a clear strategy to stay ahead.

Why NACS Is Gaining Traction

Initially developed by Tesla, NACS has recently become popular across the industry. A big pivot happened in 2023 when Ford and General Motors partnered with Tesla to adopt NACS for their upcoming EV models. By early 2025, most major automakers, including Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, and Polestar, had committed to rolling out NACS-compatible vehicles by late 2025 or early 2026.

Why the rush toward NACS? Simply put, Tesla's huge Supercharger network is well-known for its convenience and reliability, making it attractive to EV drivers. Automakers like Hyundai and Honda have begun providing adapters for CCS-to-NACS, ensuring their current customers have easy access to Tesla’s chargers. Ford recently distributed 140,000 free adapters, further signaling a strong industry commitment to making this transition smooth for everyone.

How Regulations Are Supporting This Transition

The federal government's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which initially required CCS connectors, changed to allow funding for stations equipped with NACS and CCS connectors. State-level policies are becoming even more proactive; Texas, for instance, mandates that publicly funded charging stations must offer both CCS and NACS connectors.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) formalized NACS as a standard in late 2024, promoting widespread adoption and open compatibility across EV charging stations. This regulatory support helps businesses confidently plan their future investments.

Practical Tips for Businesses During the NACS-CCS Transition

Navigating the transition to dual standards can be tricky, especially for businesses managing diverse EV fleets or installing chargers at apartments and commercial spaces. Here are some actionable tips to make sure your business stays ahead:

1. Install Dual-Port Charging Stations

Investing in chargers equipped with both CCS and NACS ports is the easiest way to future-proof your EV charging setup. Dual-standard charging ensures compatibility with virtually any EV on the road today. 

2. Keep Adapters and Retrofit Options Handy

Adapters can bridge gaps between connector types, allowing older CCS vehicles to use new NACS stations. Businesses managing mixed vehicle types should stock sufficient adapters to guarantee uninterrupted charging access. Keep in mind that most adapters can sufficiently handle Level 2 chargers, but special adapters are needed for DC fast chargers from the automakers.

3. Use Smart Charging Software

Whether you run a public charging site at an apartment or manage a private fleet depot, smart software is your best friend during this transition. Advanced charging management systems can automatically detect the type of connector, manage load sharing between vehicles, and update station firmware to add new protocol support. 

AmpUp’s software platform, for example, is designed to be hardware-agnostic and supports open standards, ensuring that as new vehicles and connector types come online, your stations remain compatible. AmpUp’s recent partnership with Hubject is bringing ISO 15118 Plug&Charge (autonomous, card-free charging) to its stations and connecting them to a global eRoaming network of over 1 million chargers.

Recommendations for Property Managers

For apartment complexes, condos, and commercial building owners, installing EV chargers has become a valuable amenity—and one increasingly expected by tenants and employees. During the NACS vs. CCS transition, property managers should focus on inclusive and easy-to-use charging solutions.

• Universal Chargers: Deploy chargers supporting both CCS and NACS, or provide manufacturer-supplied adapters to cover all tenant needs.
• Plan for Growth: Install scalable infrastructure, like expandable electrical panels and extra conduits, to handle future demand as more tenants adopt EVs.
• Use Networked Smart Chargers: In multi-dwelling units or workplace parking, multiple EVs may charge simultaneously. Smart chargers allow load management, so you can share limited electrical capacity among vehicles, and they offer user authentication to restrict access to residents/employees only. AmpUp’s platform provides real-time monitoring and smart energy management, helping property managers optimize usage.
  
  

Recommendations for Fleet Operators

Businesses with EV fleets, particularly those transitioning from older CCS-equipped vehicles to new NACS models, should:

• Use Flexible Charging Equipment: Install chargers with dual ports or retrofittable connectors, keeping fleet operations flexible as vehicle types diversify. For example, a fleet depot could install a set of 150 kW fast chargers, each with one CCS plug and one NACS plug, ensuring any vehicle can use any station. If that’s not feasible, use manufacturer-provided adapters to standardize your fleet’s charging interface. 
• Educate Your Team: Clearly communicate procedures for using various connectors and adapters to minimize confusion and operational downtime. Simple instructions and readily available adapters make fleet management easier.
• Monitor Policy for Fleet Incentives: Fleet operators should watch for any utility or government incentives specific to dual-standard charging. Some utility fleet programs might offer grants to upgrade depot chargers to have both plugs or to add more stations to alleviate peak load.
  
  

The Future is About Flexibility and Open Standards

The NACS vs. CCS plug debate in North America has rapidly tilted toward an NACS future, but we’re in a transition period where supporting both standards is the smartest path for businesses. The current landscape, with virtually all major automakers embracing NACS, regulators adjusting standards, and Tesla’s Supercharger network opening up, presents a unique opportunity to upgrade and refine EV charging infrastructure for the better. Forward-looking businesses are installing flexible hardware, integrating smart software, and adopting open interoperability practices.

Invest in open standards, and avoid locking yourself (or your drivers) into a single proprietary system. By doing so, you’ll ensure that whether an EV driver shows up with a CCS plug or a NACS plug, whether their car is a 2021 model or a 2025 model, they’ll be able to charge smoothly at your facility.

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