Tesla's plug is now required in Kentucky for EV charging companies

According to papers acquired by Reuters, Kentucky is forcing electric car charging providers to integrate Tesla's connector if they want to participate in a state programme to electrify roadways using federal funds. 

Kentucky's proposal took effect on Friday, making it the first state to require Tesla's charging technology, though Texas and Washington had previously discussed similar intentions with Reuters. 

According to Kentucky's request for proposal (RFP) for the state's EV charging programme issued on Friday, in addition to federal regulations for the competing Combined Charging System (CCS), the state demands Tesla's connector, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), at charging stations. 

"Each port must have an SAE CCS 1 connector." "Each port shall also be capable of connecting to and charging vehicles equipped with North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging ports," the specifications state. 

Tesla, the top EV manufacturer in the US, has earned a succession of triumphs for its charging technology in recent weeks, beginning with Ford Motor's announcement that it will use NACS. 

However, a group of EV charger manufacturers and operators is opposing Texas' plan to require Tesla technology at charging stations, calling it "premature," according to a document obtained by Reuters.

"Time is needed to properly standardise, test, and certify the safety and interoperability of Tesla connectors across the industry," they wrote to the Texas Transportation Commission. 

Earlier this year, the US Department of Transportation stated that charging firms must supply CCS connectors in order to be eligible for federal funds to construct 500,000 EV chargers by 2030. 

The guideline also states that charging stations may have various connectors as long as they accept CCS, a national standard. 

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Programme (NEVI) supplies states with $5 billion (about Rs. 40,970 crore).