Tim De Chant, a seasoned environmental journalist and lecturer at MIT’s Graduate Program in Science Writing, continues to influence the electric vehicle (EV) landscape with his insights. He received his Ph.D. in environmental science, policy and management from the University of California, Berkeley. He received a BA in environmental studies, English, and biology from St. Olaf College. As the EV market continues to evolve rapidly, de Chant’s science and engineering background comes in handy.
General Motors is producing adapters that let all their current EVs use North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs at Tesla Supercharger stations. This adaptation marks a huge victory for EV owners. Up until now, they were limited to the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, which has been the standard for the majority of U.S. EV models for several years now. Tesla opened up its proprietary NACS last year, making the first move towards more universal compatibility between charging networks.
The adapters have actually been out for almost a year already. They are a fantastic, smart solution for EV drivers who wish to use the vast network of Tesla Superchargers. Yet the average adapter available today costs well above $200, a steep price for consumers. Affordable options such as dongles are becoming a more practical solution providing more convenient charging for EV drivers. These devices, which cost around $30, create low-cost entry points into the charging infrastructure.
As General Motors executive Tim Ash observed, charging solutions have to be inclusive from the start. He stated that GM aims to “make sure EV drivers — regardless of what charging type they have on their vehicle — can access essentially any charging wherever they need it.” This commitment is an important first step, but it highlights the automotive giant’s dedication to make a seamless charging experience a reality for EV users.
GM’s move to promote the NACS is a smart play that meets the industry and consumers where they’re at. Tim Ash further remarked, “GM has already committed to essentially transitioning our whole EV portfolio over to NACS.” This strategic move signifies GM’s forward-looking stance in positioning itself favorably within the rapidly changing world of electric mobility.
A lot of exciting things are happening. They come at a moment when the typical car or truck on U.S. roads is more than 12 years old. Over half of American consumers are considering making the jump to EVs. Others are seeking ways to expand what their existing electric model can do. The deployment of affordable point of charge charging solutions such as dongles would enable this shift and increase access.
Currently, De Chant is a senior climate reporter at TechCrunch. In this role, he’s gained a rare insider’s perspective on the headline-making progress in climate technologies and what it means for consumers. His time as a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT in 2018 proved to be an equally valuable experience. This opportunity brought him face to face with pioneering climatetech and developed new journalism business models that were incubating.