Hyundai Motor Explores Compatibility with Tesla's Charging Standard in North America

Hyundai Motor is exploring the possibility of making its vehicles compatible with Tesla's charging standard in North America, as stated by the company's CEO. Tesla's Superchargers hold a significant share of the U.S. fast charging market, and other automakers like Ford and General Motors have recently struck deals with Tesla to utilize its charging technology, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). 

Hyundai's CEO, Jaehoon Chang, mentioned that the company would consider joining the alliance of automakers adopting Tesla's standard, but only if it benefits their customers. One challenge to address is the disparity between Hyundai's faster-charging electric vehicles, which utilize an 800-volt electrical architecture, and Tesla's Superchargers, which operate at a lower voltage. Hyundai intends to engage in discussions with Tesla to explore potential adjustments to its charging system, enabling Hyundai customers to charge faster. Tesla's decision to open its charging network to vehicles from other brands is a prerequisite for the company to access a portion of the $7.5 billion subsidies provided by the U.S. government to accelerate charger deployment. Moreover, Tesla stands to gain from selling power to a broader range of electric vehicle drivers, as evidenced by the increase in its shares since announcing the partnership with Ford.