Polestar to Follow Volvo in Adopting Tesla’s Electric Vehicle Charging Standard

Polestar has announced its decision to follow Volvo’s lead and incorporate Tesla’s charging technology in North America. The brand, which focuses on electric vehicles, plans to introduce “convenient” CCS-to-NACS adapters for current vehicles by mid-2024. Additionally, starting from 2025, all new Polestar cars will come equipped with the standard NACS connector. This adapter will enable future models to charge at CCS stations.

The news makes it difficult to expand Polestar’s range. Polestar 3 SUV and Polestar 4 SUV coupe are expected in 2024, while Polestar 5 grand tourer and Polestar 6 roadster are coming later. In other words, some models only have one year of CCS native charging before being transferred to a Tesla port, while others ship with NACS from the start. You may have to decide whether it’s worth getting an EV with the adapter as soon as it’s available.

The rationale for the switch is the same as at Volvo: using NACS gives Polestar drivers access to Tesla’s much larger (not to mention more reliable) Supercharger network in North America, with more than 12,000 charging points available to date. This could “significantly increase” the use of electric cars in the region, claims Polestar chief Thomas Ingenlath. You can buy a Polestar 3 knowing you’ll have enough charging stations to go the distance.

Volvo and Polestar are not alone. Ford, GM and Rivian have also committed to using Tesla’s technology in North America, while Hyundai and Stellantis have said they are evaluating the move. For Polestar, however, the decision may be more symbolically significant than for other brands. Considered one of Tesla’s closest competitors, the Polestar 2 is the obvious Model 3 alternative. This isn’t an outright capitulation to Tesla, but it’s an acknowledgment that access to the Supercharger network is a big benefit that affects customers.