- All U.S.-spec BMW i5 EVs are now rolling off the assembly line with a NACS charge port.
- The change comes after a silent and somewhat baffling rollout that initially included just one trim level.
- The 2026 BMW i5 also comes with all the necessary adapters in the box, but owners of older models are not so lucky.
The BMW i5 silently became the automaker’s first model with a native NACS charge port in the United States, but the initial rollout was somewhat confusing. Last week, I came across the weird differences on BMW’s American website, but I’m glad to say that everything is now in order.
For some reason, the only 2026 BMW i5 version with a Tesla-style charging port was the top-spec M60, while the less expensive xDrive40 and eDrive40 variants were left out and still included a CCS port. Now, though, BMW has confirmed that all i5 EVs built for the U.S. market starting in March 2026 will get a NACS port from the factory, as reported by BMW Blog.
What’s more, all NACS-equipped i5 EVs built after the cutoff date come standard with two charging adapters in the box, one for AC charging and one for DC charging at sites that don’t offer NACS cables. That’s great news for new owners, but it’s worth noting that owners of older i5 EVs will need to source their own adapters.
The company is asking owners to buy approved adapters, which in this case means the Lectron-made unit that currently retails for $180 on the manufacturer’s website.
All this being said, there’s also a software update that needs to be deployed for owners who already drive a 2026 i5 xDrive40 or eDrive40 with a CCS port. BMW said it will enable Tesla Supercharger access for these cars in early spring, after a Remote Software Update (RSU) starts to roll out.
For 2026 BMW i5 EVs that have a native NACS port, Plug & Charge is also baked in, allowing drivers to seamlessly charge at Tesla Superchargers, as long as there is a payment method set up in the Shell Recharge account within the My BMW smartphone app. The four-door electric sedan also comes with 1,000 kilowatt-hours of complimentary charging at Electrify America (or two years, whichever comes first). And yes, Electrify America stations have NACS cables, but even if you stumble upon a CCS-only location, there’s that complimentary adapter that came with the car to make charging fuss-free.
