More third-party chargers are added Tesla's NACS connector
EVgo
In a significant industry shift, more third-party charger networks are integrating Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) into their systems. Companies such as Blink, Kempower, and ChargePoint are among those who have recently announced their plans to adopt the Tesla connector.
This move, after Ford, Rivian, and GM signaled that they would use NACS, marks an unprecedented step toward a more streamlined and universal charging infrastructure, offering Tesla owners greater convenience and flexibility on the road.
Expanding EV Charging Capabilities: The Rise of NACS
The NACS, developed by Tesla, is increasingly recognized as a dependable EV charging connector standard in North America. Until recently, Tesla owners needed an adapter to utilize third-party charging networks. The new shift to integrate NACS into third-party chargers will streamline the process, eliminating the need for an adapter and amplifying the reach and effectiveness of EV charging infrastructure.
Among the most prominent companies to embrace the NACS is Blink Charging Co., known worldwide for its electric vehicle charging equipment and services. The company recently disclosed plans for a new 240kW DC Fast Charger equipped with NACS and Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors. This advanced charging solution aims to rapidly charge contemporary EVs while maintaining a small footprint, making it a versatile option for diverse locations and settings.
Kempower Emphasizes Customer Experience
Finland-based Kempower, another significant player in the EV charging solutions market, has also declared its intention to integrate NACS into its product offerings. The company's CEO, Tomi Ristimäki, highlighted their commitment to a seamless charging experience for all EV drivers in North America and worldwide. Kempower's integration of NACS into its charging solutions is a testimony to its agile response to customer and market expectations.
ChargePoint, a technology company with over a decade of experience in advancing the mass adoption of EVs, plans to include the NACS connector option in its charging solutions. Its charging solutions are compatible with multiple connectors, including CCS1, CHAdeMO, and J1772 in North America and Type 2 and CCS2 in Europe. The introduction of the NACS connector underscores ChargePoint's continuous commitment to providing the best possible charging experience to all EV drivers.
The Future of EV Charging
These recent announcements highlight an emerging trend in the EV charging industry, signifying a move towards more universal charging options. The adoption of NACS by third-party charging networks is expected to benefit Tesla owners greatly, allowing them to charge their vehicles at more locations without needing expensive adapters. With companies like Blink, Kempower, and ChargePoint leading the charge, the integration of NACS into third-party networks is poised to reshape the EV charging landscape.
The continuous adoption of Tesla's NACS reflects the broader movement towards standardization in the EV charging industry. As more third-party charging networks embrace NACS, the availability and accessibility of charging solutions for Tesla drivers are set to improve substantially, signaling a bright future for the EV ecosystem.
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Tesla maintains two primary software branches: the main feature branch and the FSD branch. In general, the FSD branch lags behind on new features pushed to the main branch but provides a more recent FSD version.
However, now Tesla is updating the main branch to a much more recent version of FSD.
Current FSD Build & Shadow Mode
Nowadays, the main branch always includes an older but stable build of FSD. It’s been on FSD V12.3.6 since July 2024. So, if you subscribe to FSD in North America, this is the FSD version you’ll receive until you get added to the FSD track.
Even if you don’t subscribe to or have purchased FSD, your vehicle has v12.3.6 on it. That includes vehicles in regions where FSD isn’t available for general use, such as Europe and China. In those cases, FSD runs in Shadow Mode, providing training data to Tesla if you’ve agreed to their data privacy policies. So Tesla is always analyzing what the vehicle would do compared to what the driver does. When there are contradictions, these are the clips and data Tesla will want to analyze.
FSD V12.5.4.2 on Main Branch
For the first time in five months, Tesla has now updated the baseline version of FSD in the main branch. The new version included with 2024.44 updates is FSD v12.5.4.2. This Tesla is updating the baseline FSD version to FSD V12.5.4.2
FSD 12.5 includes many features for a much smoother experience compared to FSD 12.3.6. Many users will appreciate that it gets rid of the steering wheel nag and instead relies on the cabin camera to provide real-time driver monitoring. This version also includes support for sunglasses with driver monitoring. It’ll be a big upgrade for anyone coming from FSD 12.3.6.
It's always a good thing when Tesla updates the baseline FSD version—that means that Tesla is confident that this new baseline is considerably safer and will continue to train the fleet against it.
What Update Am I Getting?
If you’re already on FSD V12.5.4.2, you’ll likely remain on that FSD build unless V13.3 manages to make its way to the public as Tesla originally planned, but that’s unlikely to happen before the Thanksgiving holiday. In all likelihood, you’ll be getting update 2024.44, which will give you some additional Tesla features while keeping you on the same FSD version.
For those who are already on 2024.44 - if you subscribe now, you’ll have V12.5.4.2 enabled on your vehicle.
If you have a Cybertruck, then you’ll receive update 2024.39.5 with FSD V12.5.5.3. They’re on a unique build for the moment, and this will likely be the case until Tesla acquires enough training data from the Cybertruck fleet.
The Cybertruck is having an eventful November. Just last week, we shared the news that Tesla isn’t offering their in-house wrap service for the Cybertruck anymore; the Foundation Series is now available in inventory in select US locations, Crossbars have arrived, and faster charging is around the corner. Now there’s even more to discuss about the stainless steel beast.
Projection Puddle Lights
Like the recently launched puddle lights for the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla has introduced a set of add-on Projector Puddle Lights for the Cybertruck. These Cybertruck-specific ones go for $75 USD, or $105 CAD and are available in both the Canadian and US Tesla stores.
However, these don’t have the Tesla wordmark - instead, they feature the iconic Cybertruck symbol and, in our opinion, look even nicer. Here’s to hoping Tesla also introduces a set with the graffiti-style Cybertruck wordmark.
Powershare in Canada
While the Foundation Series Cybertruck has been getting delivered in Canada since November 7th, there was no news on Powershare being supported due to regulatory constraints. On the 20th, Foundation Series owners in Canada began to receive emails to get their Powershare installs started through Tesla’s official installer - Qmerit.
More to follow on pricing and the process as we receive our Canadian quote from Qmerit soon.
FSD in Canada
The Cybertruck Program Manager, Siddhant Awasthi, confirmed that with Powershare now becoming available, FSD for the Cybertruck in Canada will also become available soon. Canadian trucks shipped with a factory software build that didn’t include FSD, but did include TACC and stoplight/traffic control.
Early this morning Tesla began rolling out a new version of FSD 12.5.5.3 for the Cybertruck, which is update 2024.39.5. Will this be the version that rolls out in Canada?
Update: Yesterday, Tesla started rolling out FSD on the Cybertruck in Canada for the first time. The update being rolled out is update 2024.39.5, which not only features the latest FSD available on the Cybertruck, version 12.5.5.3, but it also includes all the features update 2024.38, which includes the huge Sentry Mode improvements that reduce power consumption by about 40%.
Following Integrated Flight Test 6 for SpaceX’s Starship, Elon Musk confirmed that uncrewed Starships are likely to begin making their way to Mars in about 2 years. You’re probably going to ask what’s going to be in those Starships - that’s what Brett Winston on X asked as well. Elon confirmed that Cybertrucks and Optimus robots will be among some of the first items landing on Mars.
That’s a ton of awesome news for Cybertruck, and there’s absolutely going to be more around the corner, especially as we await the big Tesla Holiday Update. While you wait, why not take a look at our Holiday Update Wishlists?
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