NACS is the formal name given to what was originally Tesla's proprietary connector, after Tesla opened the design and most major automakers agreed to adopt it as the new industry standard in North America.
From proprietary to standard
For years, Tesla's connector only worked with Tesla vehicles and its own Supercharger network. Starting in 2023, Tesla published the design as an open standard (NACS), and the SAE formally standardized it shortly after.
Why other automakers adopted it
NACS is physically smaller and lighter than CCS, and adopting it gave non-Tesla drivers direct access to Tesla's large, reliable Supercharger network — a major factor in the industry-wide shift.
What it means for charging today
Newer non-Tesla EVs increasingly ship with a native NACS port or an included CCS-to-NACS adapter, and Tesla Superchargers themselves now increasingly serve non-Tesla vehicles at NACS-equipped stalls.
Does NACS charge at the same speed as CCS?
Speed depends on the station and vehicle's maximum rate, not the connector shape itself — NACS and CCS are both capable of high-power DC fast charging; the connector is a physical interface, not a speed limiter on its own.