ChargePoint unveils universal 'Omni Port' EV plug

ChargePoint has launched a new electric vehicle charger compatible with both dominant connector types, solving a headache for many drivers.

Driving the news: Most EVs rely on one of two charging standards; the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) and the North American Charging Standard (NACS).

• Depending on the model of EV they own, today’s drivers must use an adapter to connect with an incompatible style of charger.

• ChargePoint’s new “Omni Port” combines both the CCs and NACS into a single, universal plug, removing the need for additional devices, some of which can be pricey.

• The company is rolling out the device on new AC and DC chargers by the end of the year, with an option to retrofit older stations operated by businesses.

The intrigue: CCS charging may one day be obsolete since virtually all EV makers have adopted the NACS for future models.

• The NACS was originally developed by Tesla, which uses the standard in its Superchargers. Until recently, the rest of the industry used the CCS, launched back in 2012 by a coalition of seven automakers.

• In 2023, automakers, ranging from legacy brands like Ford to up-and-coming startups like Rivian, signed deals with Tesla agreeing to switch to the NACS. Most promised to start by 2026.

• This will eventually enable all drivers to use the Supercharger network, which remains the largest in the U.S. But most brands now have an adapter capable of connecting to an NACS charger (or CCS in the case of Tesla).

Bottom line: Releasing a universal plug solves a sizeable inconvenience for today’s EV drivers, many of whom will continue to need CCS charging for years to come. That being said, there will likely come a point where all chargers rely on a single standard, which should remove the need for universal plugs and third-party adapters.

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