NACS Charging Testing Advances Electric Vehicle Industry: Applus+ IDIADA's Comprehensive NACS Assessment Capabilities

26/06/2025

    The North American Charging Standard (NACS) represents a pivotal advancement in electric vehicle charging technology, offering enhanced compatibility with Tesla's charging infrastructure. As many manufacturers adopt NACS ports to improve interoperability and expand available charging points for users, comprehensive testing methodologies prove essential for ensuring optimal performance across diverse operating conditions.

    Comprehensive NACS Development and Testing Approach

    Applus+ IDIADA's evolution in electric vehicle charging systems includes a holistic development and testing approach that addresses both current NACS market needs and future technological demands. Our NACS testing services encompass compatibility validation, safety assessment, and performance benchmarking, ensuring manufacturers can confidently deploy NACS-compatible systems alongside traditional CCS1 and CCS2 standards.

    High-Power NACS Testing Capabilities

    Applus+ IDIADA's advanced testing facilities now support NACS charging capabilities up to 500 kW, complementing our established CCS1, CCS2, GB/T and CHAdeMO testing services. This comprehensive high-power assessment capability enables thorough evaluation of next-generation charging infrastructure across all major charging standards, providing manufacturers with critical data for system optimization.

    The NACS testing methodology encompasses multiple technical aspects:

    • Communication protocol conformance testing ensures seamless interaction between vehicles and charging infrastructure
    • Energy management strategy analysis provides insights into optimal charging profiles
    • Highly instrumented testing delivers precise measurements of energy balance under specific operating conditions

    Extreme Climate Performance Evaluation for NACS

    One of the most significant challenges in NACS charging deployment involves maintaining consistent performance across diverse climate conditions. Applus+ IDIADA's testing protocols evaluate NACS charging system performance across an extreme temperature range from -30°C to 55°C, providing crucial data for manufacturers deploying charging infrastructure in varying climatic zones.

    This comprehensive temperature testing methodology includes:

    • Battery power measurement correlation with State of Charge (SOC) across temperature ranges
    • High-voltage auxiliary power consumption analysis during extreme weather conditions
    • HVAC system behavior monitoring during NACS charging processes
    • Charging profile analysis to optimize NACS performance in severe climate conditions

    NACS Interoperability and Compatibility Assessment

    The success of NACS adoption depends heavily on seamless interoperability with Tesla's charging infrastructure and compatibility with different manufacturers' systems. Applus+ IDIADA's comprehensive NACS compatibility testing includes evaluation with multiple EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) manufacturers, utilizing specialized equipment including NACS break-out boxes for detailed system analysis.

    Key NACS interoperability testing components include:

    • Instrumenting and analyzing the Power Line Communication data
    • Verification of the compatibility between NACS vehicles and charging stations
    • Evaluation of requirements of the SAE J3400, the ISO15118, and additional corner cases from IDIADA experience
    • Communication protocol validation across different manufacturer implementations with NACS standards

    Technical Analysis and NACS Deliverables

    Applus+ IDIADA's comprehensive NACS testing approach delivers detailed technical analysis including:

    • NACS charging performance analysis at different temperature conditions
    • Energy balance strategy evaluation under specific NACS charging scenarios
    • Battery power measurement versus SOC and time correlation during NACS charging
    • High-voltage system monitoring throughout NACS charging cycles
    • Efficiency assessment on NACS charging

    Applus+ IDIADA's Global NACS Testing Expansion

    The scope of Applus+ IDIADA's NACS testing capabilities has expanded significantly, with yearly increasing capability worldwide:

    • Europe — Santa Oliva (Spain) and Ingolstadt (Germany)
    • China — Shanghai
    • United States — Corona, California.
    • Japan — Yokohama

    Industry Impact and Future NACS Outlook

    The advancement in NACS testing capabilities at Applus+ IDIADA represents a crucial step toward widespread electric vehicle adoption. By ensuring reliable, efficient NACS charging across diverse conditions and manufacturer implementations, our testing methodologies support both consumer confidence and infrastructure investment decisions in the expanding NACS ecosystem.

    The ongoing NACS benchmarking activities provide manufacturers with comparative data essential for continuous improvement in charging system design and deployment strategies. As NACS charging infrastructure continues to expand globally, Applus+ IDIADA's comprehensive testing protocols ensure that new installations meet performance expectations across all operating conditions.

     

    Visit our services page for detailed information about Applus+ IDIADA's electric vehicle charging systems development and testing methodologies, including our comprehensive NACS, CCS1, and CCS2 testing services.

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