Korean automaker improves charging compatibility to bolster EV presence in all-important market
| A North American Charging Standard-equipped 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is connected to a Tesla Supercharger in Buellton, California, on Aug. 26, 2024. (Hyundai Motor America) |
From the first quarter of next year, Hyundai Motor will offer free adapters for Tesla-developed charging ports to its electric vehicle owners in the United States, as the Korean automaker aims to bolster its presence in the US EV market.
Hyundai Motor North America announced Tuesday that Hyundai EV owners who purchased or leased their vehicle on or before Jan. 31, 2025, will be able to request a free North American Charging Standard adapter, including shipping, through the MyHyundai owner portal.
According to the automaker, the adapters will allow Combined Charging System-equipped Hyundai EVs to access over 20,000 Tesla Superchargers across the US. Combining the CCS and NASC ports, Hyundai EV owners will be able to access more than 38,000 fast chargers in the country.
Free adapters will be available to eligible owners of the 2024 or earlier Ioniq hatchback, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Kona Electric models as well as the 2025 Ioniq 6, Ioniq 5 N and Kona Electric models. Hyundai Motor explained that the 2025 Ioniq 5 is already equipped with a factory-installed native NACS port, and is the first non-Tesla vehicle on sale to feature such a cross-brand function.
“To accelerate EV adoption, we started by listening to our current owners,” said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor North America.
“These adapters will make DC fast-charging more convenient for current owners. Plus, the NACS port on new models like the upcoming Ioniq 9 along with improvements to our digital charging ecosystem, will further enhance the customer experience for future EV drivers. Our goal is to make the transition to electric seamless.”
The Ioniq 9 -- Hyundai Motor’s latest three-row, all-electric sport utility vehicle unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month -- is slated for release in the US market in the spring of next year. Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, a $5.54 billion investment to build a new EV and hybrid vehicle manufacturing factory in Georgia, will roll out the Ioniq 9.
Genesis, Hyundai Motor’s luxury brand, also announced that it will participate in Hyundai’s initiative to accelerate EV adoption and transition, with detailed plans to be released early next year.
Hyundai’s decision to expand charging networks for its EV owners came just after the company had logged record-breaking November sales of 76,008 units, an eight percent increase on-year. The company said it was the best-ever month for the Ioniq 5 as well as the Santa Fe hybrid, Tucson plug-in hybrid and Tucson hybrid vehicles, noting that EV retail sales grew by 77 percent year-over-year.
“Hyundai delivered an exceptional sales month, driven by the strong performance of our EV and hybrid vehicles,” said Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.
“Customers continue to be attracted to Hyundai’s diverse vehicle lineup which can meet a variety of customer needs. We also saw significant interest and excitement for the worldwide debut of the US-built Ioniq 9 and we can’t wait to bring it to market next year.”
| A North American Charging Standard-equipped 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is connected to a Tesla Supercharger in Buellton, California, on Aug. 26, 2024. (Hyundai Motor America) |
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