NACS Transition and Adapters - what happens next?

[mpshizzle]

With rumors flying around that Rivian will transition to native NACS together with the release of the quad - it got me thinking...

What is the future of the free adapter situation? Right now every owner gets a free NACS to CCS adapter - and transitioning means Rivian can start saving money on those.

BUT - the RAN network is still all CCS. Which puts them in a hard place. If they don't offer a free adapter, very, very few native NACS vehicle owners will charge at RAN. But if they do offer a free adapter they'll jsut be trading one expense for another.

Obviously this is only an issue until RAN transitions to NACS, but that will be most likely a lengthy and expensive process.

What do you all think they'll do?

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[IThinkFreely]

1. NACS to CCS will continue to be provided as needed to existing owners and with all new vehicles.
2. If Quads roll out as NACS they should have a CCS to NACS adapter so they can access the RAN.
3. At some point RAN will convert to NACS (the network is relatively tiny).
4. Either adapter stays relevant for years to come regardless.

The R2 makes far more sense to me to be the first NACS model but what do I know.

 

[krb1183]

I think when all the current (CCS) Rivian owners have an adapter to NACS, they will start transitioning their RAN stations to NACS, then they will transition new vehicles to NACS.

 

[mpshizzle]

1. NACS to CCS will continue to be provided as needed to existing owners and with all new vehicles.
2. If Quads roll out as NACS they should have a CCS to NACS adapter so they can access the RAN.
3. At some point RAN will convert to NACS (the network is relatively tiny).
4. Either adapter stays relevant for years to come regardless.

The R2 makes far more sense to me to be the first NACS model but what do I know.

IMHO, I'm glad that they're transitioning now. The more automakers transition their vehicles, the more public charger operators will be motivated to transition as well. It will push the industry forward.

But you're right, to the consumer it makes little to no difference, since you'll need adapters frequently either way.

At some point I'd love it if there was a retrofit option, but I wouldn't want that until more of the infrastructure has transitioned.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Free adapters are ending. Already ended for some brands. Some brands never offered free adapters. Govt. funding ended. Adapters are not expensive. Consumers have choice. Which to buy and whether they need one.

 

[BigSkies]

Here's my prediction of what happens next:

1. Everyone kinda gets used to CCS and using that pesky adapter when using a NACS station. Most people don't think about it much.

2. Some charging networks start switching CCS cables to NACS cables. The internet is flooding with whining and complaining from people who don't like change, have adapter problems, and can't figure it out.

3. Cars start getting sold with native NACS ports. The internet is flooded with moans/grips/complaints about how it's hard to use NACS cars with the mostly CCS network. Major media outlets pick up on it and generate about a thousand FUD articles daily about why EV's are bad. Somehow Elon Musk is at the center of most articles, even in cases when he has nothing to do with it.

4. People stop clicking on the clickbait articles after 6-12 months and everyone just kinda gets used to the new status-quo.

 

[mpshizzle]

Here's my prediction of what happens next:

1. Everyone kinda gets used to CCS and using that pesky adapter when using a NACS station. Most people don't think about it much.

2. Some charging networks start switching CCS cables to NACS cables. The internet is flooding with whining and complaining from people who don't like change, have adapter problems, and can't figure it out.

3. Cars start getting sold with native NACS ports. The internet is flooded with moans/grips/complaints about how it's hard to use NACS cars with the mostly CCS network. Major media outlets pick up on it and generate about a thousand FUD articles daily about why EV's are bad. Somehow Elon Musk is at the center of most articles, even in cases when he has nothing to do with it.

4. People stop clicking on the clickbait articles after 6-12 months and everyone just kinda gets used to the new status-quo.

HAHA 10/10 on accuracy. This feels VERY much like how it'll go

 

[ThirteenElectrics]

I think Tesla gave Rivian a bunch of free adapters. It makes sense since Superchargers are now a profit center for them. Rivian will give those out for free, and when they stop getting them for free, they will stop giving them out gratis.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Closer in relevance to us... I wish Rivian would step up and endorse at least one aftermarket adapter, add it to their Gear Shop. Customers will have more options and their supply will not be restricted to whims of Tesla's adapter production. More choices. Less supply-constrained. Better shipping times. Less whining from the whiners.

Lectron or A2Z, or both. Ford is selling their version of the Lectron. Hyundai/KIA is given their customers a Lectron (not sure if it's identical to the Vortex or a version of it, like Ford's). At one point I think GM showed marketing images of what looks to be the Lectron. Per Tesla's official policy, "approved" is one made by them, or one approved by OEM.

 

[VSG]

People stop clicking on the clickbait articles after 6-12 months and everyone just kinda gets used to the new status-quo.

That's what people have been predicting for at least 20 years now. I don't buy it. I say people start to accept the click-bait opinions as the new status quo. After all, that's what has happened here in this forum over the past few years ...

 

[emoore]

I think Tesla gave Rivian a bunch of free adapters. It makes sense since Superchargers are now a profit center for them. Rivian will give those out for free, and when they stop getting them for free, they will stop giving them out gratis.

I think Rivian bought them from Tesla and Rivian decided to eat the costs and not pass it on to current CCS owners. If Tesla was just handing out free adapters then all other companies that are switching to NACS would offer them to their customers for free but that's not the case.

 

[VSG]

I think Rivian bought them from Tesla and Rivian decided to eat the costs and not pass it on to current CCS owners.

Yes this is 100% true, and we've all known that for something like 18 months now. Tesla produced the adapters and sold them to Rivian at cost. The extended time it took to get these adapters into the hands of Rivian owners was entirely due to Tesla not being able to supply them in sufficient quantities. But the timeline was exactly as predicted almost two year ago when Tesla made the promise to open up their superchargers. And Rivian DID deliver them to all Rivian owners as promised.

Most of us had no expectation of a free adapter, since that wasn't a thing when we bought our Rivians. Again, let me say thank you Rivian. Toyota et al. never gave me squat after I made a purchase.

 

[Rividiculous]

I don’t know, man. I’m still wondering how to play my 8-tracks and my Betamax videos.

 

[tps5352]

...What is the future of the free adapter situation?...What do you all think they'll do?

This post was my attempt at thinking about the future with adapters...

I'll plug the poll there, which is still working I am happy to say.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

This is a good question and one Hyundai is struggling with as well, since the 2025 Ioniq 5 was the first non-Tesla vehicle with a NACS port.

I guess it depends on what the cheaper solution is. Add a NACS plug to the RAN or make NACS to CCS adapters? Given the cost of copper and retrofitting the RAN I’d say adapters are cheaper, but I don’t know.

At some point free CCS to NACS adapters will be phased out for earlier R1s, but could still be sold online for $200 a pop. I think Ford is phasing their free ones out already. There’s always third-party adapters, like Lectron and A2Z.

At some point it will become the driver’s responsibility.

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