Scythe to adopt North American Charging Standard

Commercial landscaping robot developer Scythe Robotics recently announced it will adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge port for its M.52 mower, starting in late 2024.

This move will integrate NACS capabilities into Scythe’s all-electric, fully autonomous commercial mower. The company said that by adopting the standard for its non-automotive vehicles, it will pave the way for widespread integration of electric commercial landscaping equipment.

Tesla Charger becoming industry standard

NACS, also known as the “Tesla Charger,” or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J3400, is becoming the standard in electric vehicle (EV) charging. Automotive manufacturers including Ford, General Motors, and BMW have committed to transitioning to the NACS by 2025.

Scythe said an industry-wide move toward standardized charging infrastructure will streamline user experiences by providing reliable and simple charging solutions.

"With the US moving towards the adoption of NACS across the board, it's clear that this standardized charging solution will be the optimal and most convenient method for charging any EV or machine - including M.52 - for the foreseeable future," said Davis Foster, Co-founder and chief engineer of Scythe.

Existing Scythe M.52 mowers to be forward compatible

Scythe’s M.52 robot mower will utilize the same NACS charging interface and infrastructure already familiar to businesses and consumers. The company said that by eliminating proprietary connectors and technologies, their transition can ensure lower charging costs, greater ease of use, and expanded access to charging facilities for landscape companies.

The next generation of Scythe’s M.52, slated for production in late 2024, will integrate NACS components as they are made available for non-Tesla, Inc. manufacturers.

"By incorporating NACS into the next generation of our machine, M.52 will potentially be the first non-Tesla vehicle to implement this new standard," said Roger Dodrill, staff systems engineer at Scythe. "By providing the gold standard in charging capabilities, we aim to eliminate barriers to the adoption of electric equipment and enhance the overall user experience."

Compatibility for existing generations of Scythe’s M.52 with the new standards will be accomplished through a common connector that can link NACS charging ports to SAE J1772 ones.

Scythe said NACS holds the potential for future improvements and features like DC fast charging and automated billing within existing charger networks.