Tesla developed the NACS electric-vehicle charging connector.
The connector began as Tesla’s proprietary charging design for the Model S, introduced in 2012. Unlike the larger CCS1 arrangement commonly used by other North American automakers, Tesla’s compact connector handles both AC charging and DC fast charging through the same physical plug. Tesla later published the design and invited other manufacturers to adopt it.
NACS became especially influential after Ford announced in May 2023 that it would switch future North American EVs to the connector. General Motors, Rivian, Nissan, and numerous other automakers followed with similar commitments. SAE International subsequently standardized the connector as SAE J3400, although Tesla remains its original developer.
A common mix-up is confusing the connector’s creator with its standards organization. Tesla developed the hardware and originally operated it as a proprietary system; SAE International later helped formalize the open industry standard. The competing CCS1 system was developed through a broader industry standards process rather than by Tesla.