US public EV charging providers are rapidly adding NACS (SAE J3400) connectors to their charging stations. Industry giant ChargePoint has introduced Omni Port, an EV connector solution that allows drivers of all makes of EVs to charge at the same station by combining “the most prevalent connector types” (which we assume means CCS and NACS) into each charging port.
As ChargePoint explains, incorporating multiple connectors into each charging station ensures that any EV can charge in any parking space, without an expensive additional cable, eliminates the hassle of carrying an adapter, and removes the need to dedicate parking spaces exclusively to certain connector types.
Omni Port will begin shipping by the end of this year. It will be “incorporated into select [new] ChargePoint AC and DC charging stations at no additional cost,” and can be retrofitted to ChargePoint CP6000 and Express Plus Power Link 2000 models at “a nominal cost.” ChargePoint says its modular hardware design allows station owners to upgrade their chargers by quickly swapping a few components.
Omni Port enables full support for vehicles with 800-volt architecture.
To use Omni Port, drivers who use the ChargePoint app must enter their vehicle’s make and model, which prompts the charging station to release the correct connector type. Those who do not use the ChargePoint app can simply select the appropriate connector on the charger screen.
“Across hardware and software, ChargePoint is bringing to market innovative solutions that ensure all drivers who need to charge are able to do so,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “With Omni Port, ChargePoint solved the challenges associated with a multiple connector environment, ensuring Tesla and non-Tesla drivers can continue to expect a world-class driver experience.”
Source: ChargePoint