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In May 2023, Ford launched a shift when the US automaker struck a deal to give owners of its electric vehicles access to the Tesla Supercharger network.
In a stunning turnaround, one automaker after another — from General Motors and Hyundai to Rivian and Mercedes — followed suit. By the end of 2023, nearly every major automaker has agreed to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), promising EV owners that inverters will soon be on the way.
Most non-Tesla customers are still waiting. However, recent announcements from automakers may provide an electric lining of optimism.
TechCrunch is tracking which brands have access to Tesla’s Supercharging network and will update this list.
Switching to the Tesla EV charging standard
In November 2022, Tesla shared its electric vehicle charging connector design in an effort to encourage grid operators and automakers to adopt the technology and help make it the new standard in North America. At the time, every other automaker was using the Common Charging Standard (CCS) in North America.
Mass adoption seemed unlikely at the time even though Tesla’s charging network was considered far superior thanks to its robust, user-friendly design and ease of paying for EV juice.
Six months later, Ford became the first to announce that it would work with Tesla in a deal that would give its customers access to more than 12,000 Superchargers across the United States and Canada. But it wasn’t just about giving Ford EV owners access to a special converter. Ford has also committed to integrating its future electric vehicles with NACS ports instead of CCS.
It was followed by Rivian, General Motors, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid and Stellantis.
Frequently asked questions about Tesla charging
In the US today, there are 36,499 publicly available NACS outlets (although some of these outlets may be from other EV charging companies that have adapted the Tesla standard), compared to about 16,925 CCS outlets. This though Federal dollars Which obviously went into creating CCS chargers.
For EV owners stuck with a CCS outlet, they will have to wait for adapters approved by the manufacturer. While there are some third-party adapters that claim to be compatible with certain safety and performance standards, e.g Lectron spiral plug For $199, Tesla website It says these adapters are banned.
A GM spokesperson told TechCrunch that its adapters are specifically designed to protect GM EV batteries during charging and that its vehicle warranty does not cover damage to vehicle parts resulting from the use of non-GM-approved adapters.
In late August, Tesla posted on X that it had ramped up production of transformers. This statement, combined with GM’s announcement, could mean that more non-Tesla electric vehicles will be pulling into Supercharger stations soon. They’ll all have to download the Tesla app so they can pay for charging.
Tesla Supercharging Access Checklist
Ford
Some Ford customers I officially made it to Tesla Superchargers in February, but ongoing supply constraints have delayed the delivery of free fast charging adapters to most customers (although Ford says the delay affected “some” customers).
Existing Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning owners who have not yet ordered their adapter can do so through their Ford Pass app. The deadline to apply for a free adapter is September 30.
GM
As of September 2024, GM has finally updated the software on its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC electric vehicles so customers can use the Tesla Supercharger. If they want access sooner, they’ll have to purchase a “GM Certified” adapter through their app for $225.
GM hasn’t said how long it will take to charge. A GM spokesperson said the company already has an inventory of adapters and has worked with several suppliers to manufacture NACS-certified DC fast charging adapters.
From 2025 onwards, GM electric vehicles will be built with a NACS charging port.
Hyundai Motor Group
The South Korean automaker has taken several steps to give electric vehicle owners access to NACS chargers next year.
Kia Announce In September, it planned to give electric vehicle owners access to NACS chargers starting on January 15, 2025. They used this announcement as a kind of promotion, offering customers who purchase a new 2024 EV6 or 2024 or 2025 EV9 SUV starting on September 4, 2024, a free adapter. It will be mailed to them in early 2025, if there are enough supplies. Existing Kia EV6, EV9 and Niro EV customers who took delivery of the vehicle before September 4 will have to purchase an adapter from a dealer at a later date.
But for those who don’t want to bother with the adapter, Kia shared some news at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Both the 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 GT will be built with a NACS plug. EV6 is It is expected to go on sale In the first half of 2025, the EV9 GT in The latter half of next year.
the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 NACS plugs were also introduced at the LA Auto Show and promised drivers access to Tesla’s Supercharging network.
April
Starting in late 2024, April It plans to give Ariya drivers access to Tesla’s network through a NACS adapter. The automaker also said that in 2025 it will begin offering electric vehicles to the US and Canadian markets using the NACS port.
Rivian
Electric vehicle startup Rivian officially gets access to 15,000 superchargers across North America on March 18, 2024. At that time, Rivian promised to start sending adapters to customers Starting in April. A Rivian spokesperson told TechCrunch that the automaker began deliveries this spring and continues to ship adapters as quickly as it receives them.
Starting in September 2024, Rivian said customers who order a new vehicle will have an adapter automatically shipped to them when they receive it. Customers will receive the adapter within seven to 10 business days. The electric car maker also promised that those who already own a Rivian and are still waiting for an adapter will get one for free by the end of January 2025.
Volvo (and Polestar)
The two Swedish car brands owned by the Chinese company Geely have begun offering their electric cars to their customers Access to the Tesla Supercharger network at the end of October.
Volvo said it will provide a free NACS adapter to any customer who purchases a 2025 EX90, EX40 or EC40. Existing Volvo EV owners will have to pay $230 for the adapter, which they can purchase from a dealer or service center.
Polestar also sells the converter through its service centers. Both brands have given a mid-November date to start shipping the adapters. Volvo and Polestar are also updating their Android infotainment software so drivers can search for Tesla Superchargers in the car’s navigation system.
TechCrunch will update the list as automakers gain official access.
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