Summary: The 2026 models of electric vehicles (EVs) from brands like Lucid, Rivian, and Hyundai are adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), enabling seamless use of Tesla’s Supercharger network. However, this shift means many EV owners will need adapters—or dongles—to use public charging stations outside Tesla’s network, leading to a transitional period of inconvenience. Charging networks like ChargePoint are innovating to ease this adjustment by integrating adapters directly into their stations.
The Shift to Tesla’s Charging Standard
Much like when Apple removed the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, the newest EVs are switching to Tesla’s charging ports, ushering in a new era—and a bit of dongle chaos. The 2026 models of electric vehicles such as the Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S and R1T, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are now natively equipped with Tesla’s charging connector. This allows for a seamless connection to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, which currently boasts 7,753 stations and 73,817 individual connectors, a 16% increase from last year.
Dongles Everywhere: What This Means for EV Owners
While Tesla vehicles have traditionally required adapters to use non-Tesla charging stations, this new generation of EVs means that adapters will now be necessary to use many public charging stations—including those from ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo, and others—outside the Supercharger network. Even home chargers may require additional adapters to work with these new vehicles. This transition to Tesla’s NACS (North American Charging Standard) is reminiscent of the shift from wired headphones to Bluetooth, requiring patience as the industry adapts.
How Automakers Are Handling the Transition
Automakers are preparing for this adapter-heavy phase. A Hyundai spokesperson confirmed that their vehicles will come with two adapters. Similarly, Lucid’s new Gravity SUV will include adapters for both AC and DC charging. Rivian’s 2026 models will provide a J1772 adapter for Level 2 charging, and their Quad Launch Editions will include a CCS Combo 1 DC fast adapter. General Motors, through Cadillac, acknowledged the complexity of having vehicles and chargers supporting both standards during this transition. The 2026 Cadillac Optiq will be GM’s first EV to adopt NACS.
Charging Networks Respond: Solutions to Dongle Overload
Charging networks are also adapting. Electrify America is testing NACS charging at select stations in Florida and Connecticut to improve customer experience and hardware compatibility. ChargePoint, recognizing the inconvenience of multiple adapters, has introduced the Omni Port—an innovative solution that integrates adapters directly into charging stations. This allows drivers to select their vehicle type and charge without needing to carry separate dongles. While new ChargePoint stations come equipped with Omni Ports, older stations can be retrofitted with conversion kits to support this technology, helping to “future-proof” the network.
Looking Ahead: The Future of EV Charging
Nearly every automaker with recent electrified models has announced plans to adopt Tesla’s charging system, signaling a significant industry shift. While the transition period may be messy with adapters and compatibility challenges, the move promises greater charging convenience in the long run. As charging networks evolve and more vehicles embrace the NACS standard, EV owners can look forward to a more unified and user-friendly charging experience.