Should Scout adopt the NACS (Tesla) charging system

[JohnBills]

Ford recently announced that their EVs will start using the Tesla charging system (recently made open and renamed the North American Charging Standard) in 2025. With Ford changing to the Tesla plug, do you think other North American manufacturers should follow suit? I've charged with both NACS and CCS and, in my opinion, Tesla is winning in this arena. The plug has a much smaller form factor and is more durable (what Scout owner doesn't want durability?). It's also a much simpler user experience and is proving more reliable than CCS networks so far. I know VW owns both Scout and Electrify America, which is a CCS network, but NACS just seems like the better system. I feel like Scout owners will be happier in the long run. There will be some pain on the manufacturers' and networks' end but I feel like the EV-going American will be happier in the end and more loyal to the brands that prioritize the owner experience. What do you all think? Ford Just Made a Brilliant, Blindingly Obvious Move by Embracing Tesla Charging (motortrend.com)

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

Scout will use NACS in our vehicles.

Fantastic news!!!

Are you maybe scooping VW Group here though? I imagine if Scout is going NACS that must also mean the VW mothership is going there too no?

 

[LastDayScout]

I would like to know if Scout will have access to superchargers from the onset….not just the plug type.

 

[Chaparral]

I would like to know if Scout will have access to superchargers from the onset….not just the plug type.

That’s what’s being reported.

https://insideevs.com/news/701566/volkswagen-group-switch-to-nacs/

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

Yeah, looks like all of VW Group is on the NACS train which is what I expected would happen. That means access to the Supercharge network and everything. This is great news!

 

[Bodie]

Scout will use NACS in our vehicles.

Good choice. Now, you need to make sure it works as close as possible to the Tesla experience. I just read this article. Even in a Tesla, road trips are a hassle compared to ICE once you have to go beyond the range of full charge. Not insurmountable, but a bigger hassle and the less hassle, the better.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-tesla-model-y-long-range-yearlong-review-update-1-supercharger/?lid=wlkaw50b35tm&eml=organic%3Aeml%3Abrz2&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=emaileditorial

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Fantastic news!!!

Are you maybe scooping VW Group here though? I imagine if Scout is going NACS that must also mean the VW mothership is going there too no?

No they put out their own press release.

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

No they put out their own press release.

Yeah I just saw! That's great.

 

[bbarry840]

Scout Motors announced the planned implementation of the changing standard (NACS) beginning 2025.

 

[R1TVT]

The only trade off at the front / center of the grill would be the potential for the FRUNK and grill to open together, which does provide easier access to the tremendous cargo space that will be available. Lifting a cooler (for example) or something heavy over the top of the grill is not always the easiest, and a slip could result in scratches or worse. This is one thing I don't love about the R1T... But there are always a bunch of tradeoffs... Wiring to the lightbar, weight of the hood with the grill and light assembly, wear on the pistons for the FRUNK to open, etc. I do like having the charge port on the DRIVERS SIDE FRONT of the R1T!

 

[Papi.G]

100%, the Scout should have a NACS charging port.

I am an EV owner who has traveled 35,000 miles in my EV over the past 12 months, in the US and Canada.

With a NACS port, on the driver's side rear, or passenger side front, charging at the vast Tesla charger network will be easy. The port must be accessible by the relatively short cord at a Tesla charger.

Any other port location will complicate charging. By example, I have encountered several Ford Lightnings at Tesla chargers and they always occupy multiple spaces or stick out into the roadway/driveway.

 

[LastDayScout]

100%, the Scout should have a NACS charging port.

I am an EV owner who has traveled 35,000 miles in my EV over the past 12 months, in the US and Canada.

With a NACS port, on the driver's side rear, or passenger side front, charging at the vast Tesla charger network will be easy. The port must be accessible by the relatively short cord at a Tesla charger.

Any other port location will complicate charging. By example, I have encountered several Ford Lightnings at Tesla chargers and they always occupy multiple spaces or stick out into the roadway/driveway.

The Scout vehicles will have NACS ports.

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

100%, the Scout should have a NACS charging port.

I am an EV owner who has traveled 35,000 miles in my EV over the past 12 months, in the US and Canada.

With a NACS port, on the driver's side rear, or passenger side front, charging at the vast Tesla charger network will be easy. The port must be accessible by the relatively short cord at a Tesla charger.

Any other port location will complicate charging. By example, I have encountered several Ford Lightnings at Tesla chargers and they always occupy multiple spaces or stick out into the roadway/driveway.

I never understood Tesla's decision to place the charging port on the wrong side of the car. Charging ports should be on the passenger side so when you're doing on-street parking and possibly charging along the curb it's not sticking out into traffic.

My preference would be passenger-side rear. It makes the most sense and Tesla will need to give its Superchargers longer cords anyway (for the Cybertruck) so that is a limitation Tesla will need to address, not for other automakers to accommodate.

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Many decisions around charge point location revolve around the person driving being able to physically see that the cable is plugged in on their side of the vehicle. While it is easy to prohibit the car from moving and flashing a warning tone/message that it is still plugged in, there are a myriad of "what if" liability situations where the software prohibits movement when necessary or in an emergency. Over time I'm sure it will evolve.

 

[J Alynn]

I never understood Tesla's decision to place the charging port on the wrong side of the car. Charging ports should be on the passenger side so when you're doing on-street parking and possibly charging along the curb it's not sticking out into traffic.

My preference would be passenger-side rear. It makes the most sense and Tesla will need to give its Superchargers longer cords anyway (for the Cybertruck) so that is a limitation Tesla will need to address, not for other automakers to accommodate.

I agree with passenger side but front allows vehicles towing to not have to back in or maneuver to reach the charger cord

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

Many decisions around charge point location revolve around the person driving being able to physically see that the cable is plugged in on their side of the vehicle. While it is easy to prohibit the car from moving and flashing a warning tone/message that it is still plugged in, there are a myriad of "what if" liability situations where the software prohibits movement when necessary or in an emergency. Over time I'm sure it will evolve.

So does this imply the Scout will have it on the driver's side?

 

[Colt_44_magnum]

I think he might be implying that, though Scouts are said to lead the way

 

[Bodie]

Many decisions around charge point location revolve around the person driving being able to physically see that the cable is plugged in on their side of the vehicle. While it is easy to prohibit the car from moving and flashing a warning tone/message that it is still plugged in, there are a myriad of "what if" liability situations where the software prohibits movement when necessary or in an emergency. Over time I'm sure it will evolve.

My personal experience with a PHEV and a charge port on the driver side for the last 10 years is this. On multiple occasions, I have walked right past the plug sticking out of the left (driver side) front fender, gotten in the car, started it and only realized it was still plugged in because of an audible “bong, bong bong” and alert on the screen behind the wheel. There have probably been even more times when I did unplug it but then forgot to close the charge door until getting the warnings for that.
So, no matter where you put it, someone will forget to unplug it. Just make sure it has a good idiot alert.

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

My personal experience with a PHEV and a charge port on the driver side for the last 10 years is this. On multiple occasions, I have walked right past the plug sticking out of the left (driver side) front fender, gotten in the car, started it and only realized it was still plugged in because of an audible “bong, bong bong” and alert on the screen behind the wheel. There have probably been even more times when I did unplug it but then forgot to close the charge door until getting the warnings for that.
So, no matter where you put it, someone will forget to unplug it. Just make sure it has a good idiot alert.

Exactly! I've owned plug-in vehicles with the charge port on the driver's side front fender, the middle of the nose of the vehicle and the rear passenger side and from my experience the best place is actually right on the nose in the middle of the car. If you want a frunk (and I do!) then that's not the most practical place for it so the next best place is the rear passenger side. The one on the driver's side was always awkward to use with on-street charger and having the cable draped across the front of the vehicle. It's also at more risk of a passing vehicle ripping it off while you're parked and charging. The most convenient and lowest risk place for it is definitely passenger side.

On a side note, I hope the charge door isn't motorized. I know it's the cool thing for automakers to do and it shows off nicely and feels premium and stuff but in the real world it's annoying and just another thing to break. Here where we regularly get freezing rain and ice it's also super irritating. It often decides it can't open, or can't close properly because of a little bit of ice in just the wrong spot. and having a large charge port door is also annoying.

If I were king and could dictate the perfect charge door to all automakers it would be 1) just big enough to do the job, 2) open upward to provide some weather protection for the connector while charging, and 3) be operated manually with just a nice spring mechanism and a simple, beefy latch and release system.

 

[J Alynn]

Exactly! I've owned plug-in vehicles with the charge port on the driver's side front fender, the middle of the nose of the vehicle and the rear passenger side and from my experience the best place is actually right on the nose in the middle of the car. If you want a frunk (and I do!) then that's not the most practical place for it so the next best place is the rear passenger side. The one on the driver's side was always awkward to use with on-street charger and having the cable draped across the front of the vehicle. It's also at more risk of a passing vehicle ripping it off while you're parked and charging. The most convenient and lowest risk place for it is definitely passenger side.

On a side note, I hope the charge door isn't motorized. I know it's the cool thing for automakers to do and it shows off nicely and feels premium and stuff but in the real world it's annoying and just another thing to break. Here where we regularly get freezing rain and ice it's also super irritating. It often decides it can't open, or can't close properly because of a little bit of ice in just the wrong spot. and having a large charge port door is also annoying.

If I were king and could dictate the perfect charge door to all automakers it would be 1) just big enough to do the job, 2) open upward to provide some weather protection for the connector while charging, and 3) be operated manually with just a nice spring mechanism and a simple, beefy latch and release system.

And a LED light for dark nights.

 

[JohnBills]

Here’s a look at the NACS port on the Traveler. Of course, this can change before production but I just love the integrated 120-volt outlets. Brilliant.