Ford Moving to NACS Port

Ford having plug in charge to both Electrify America and the Supercharger Network without any adapters definitely gives it an advantage. Even over Tesla.

Edit: Ford says they are dropping CCS port for 2025 model year in favor of NACS(Tesla) port. You will need an adapter to use CCS networks.

I did NOT see this coming and it’s a really big deal. It likely drives every other automaker to work with Tesla, unless they can build out CCS to beat Tesla.

BORG said:

unless they can build out CCS to beat Tesla.

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1) Fat chance, especially with Ford money now coming in.

2) Build out is only a third of the battle. Another third is 99.7% Supercharger uptime.

3) The final third is the plug'n charge seamless payment system that just plain works on Superchargers.


BTW It does remain to be seen how well Tesla integrates Ford BEVs into their system. Ford plug'n charge software is pretty good. Even better than VW themselves.

BORG said:

I did NOT see this coming and it’s a really big deal. It likely drives every other automaker to work with Tesla, unless they can build out CCS to beat Tesla.

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The Euros only use CCS so unless they want to split built specs they will only offer CCS. Plus the top charger manufacturers from Europe that have the most reliable units are starting to setup shop in the US to build out CCS. I think it’s going to become a situation like having more Android users than Apple users worldwide. I’d still rather see automakers include both plugs at the very least.

NACS is a superior tech, no doubt about it. I’m a fan, but I’m still shocked Ford is putting the connector on the car in 2025. That car is likely the Explorer EV, which is shaped allot like a Model X ironically. I assume this means Ford will place the connector in the same spot (rear driver-side). Ford is still leaving room open to finalizing their connector options however. For the rest of the World, Tesla swaps out their connector for CCS or the Chinese connectors. Ford can do the same, and they’ll have to unless they have multiple ports. The Explorer EV will be sold globally.

It will be interesting to see if this pressures GM into inking a similar deal with Tesla. Also note worthy that not every supercharger will be available to Ford vehicles.

This is definitely a big moment in EV development. Having access to the supercharger network is a massive advantage for Ford. Plus, the Tesla handle just seems much more elegant and far less unwieldy than CCS. However, a main question that won't be answered for a while is -- will the Tesla network, vaunted for being very reliable, work as reliably with Fords? I can see other automakers following suit, unless Ford has some sort of exclusivity rights for a while. I somehow don't see GM joining, and I don't think VW group will join, as they're so connected to Electrify America.

BORG said:

I assume this means Ford will place the connector in the same spot (rear driver-side). For the rest of the World, Tesla swaps out their connector for CCS or the Chinese connectors.

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Ford can also install NACS port front passenger side.

Tesla uses NACS in USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and S. Korea.

There is a 50/50 chance Tesla announces a car Gigafactory in India within a year. Chances are Indian cars would use NACS as well. India wants no part of EU standard much less Chinese standard. India IMO would only object if the US government made NACS the official American standard.

Brilliant move on Fords part, the Tesla network is the standard. They were not set up as local charging, if you think about it, but more for traveling, or destination places. That is the Tesla genius that I see. Great move.

Good. Ford is smart.

Tesla’s port is the best in the business and the Supercharger network is amazing.