BMW’s has announced to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in the U.S. and Canada, starting in 2025, representing a significant step towards enhancing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in North America. This strategic move is set to benefit BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce electric vehicle owners by providing them with access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
The decision to embrace the NACS is a key element of BMW’s commitment to ensuring that its growing base of electric vehicle drivers has convenient and efficient charging options. With the introduction of six fully electric BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce models in the U.S. market and more electric vehicles on the horizon, the need for accessible and fast charging solutions has become paramount.
Sebastian Mackensen, President & CEO of BMW North America, underlined the importance of this agreement by stating, “With six fully electric BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce models now available in the U.S. market, and more to come, it is our top priority to ensure that our drivers have easy access to reliable, fast charging.” BMW recognizes that a robust charging infrastructure is vital to ease range anxiety and promote electric vehicle adoption.
The collaboration between BMW and Tesla will extend beyond merely granting access to Supercharger stations. The two companies will work together to create a seamless customer experience. This will include features such as enabling BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce drivers to locate and access available Superchargers via their vehicle’s display and facilitating payment through the respective brand apps. Such integration will offer a user-friendly and hassle-free charging process, which is essential for electric vehicle adoption.
Moreover, the adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) by the BMW Group for its electric vehicles in the U.S. and Canada emphasizes the industry’s commitment to standardization, simplifying the charging process for electric vehicle owners across various brands. Standardization is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and convenience of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
It’s worth noting that this agreement is independent of BMW North America’s recent announcement to collaborate with six other automakers in creating a joint venture company dedicated to building a new, high-powered electric vehicle charging network in North America. The joint venture is poised to construct at least 30,000 new chargers, strategically located in metropolitan areas and along major highways, making them accessible to electric vehicle drivers of all brands using CCS or NACS charging standards. This initiative represents a significant investment in expanding the electric vehicle charging infrastructure and reducing barriers to EV adoption.
