In May 2023, Ford triggered a transformation when the U.S. automaker locked in a deal to give owners of its EVs access to the Tesla Supercharger network.
In a stunning shift, automaker after automaker — from GM and Hyundai to Rivian and Mercedes — followed suit. By the end of 2023, nearly every major automaker had agreed to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) and promised EV owners that adapters would soon be on their 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 the Tesla Supercharging Network and will be updating this list.
In November 2022, Tesla shared its EV charging connector design in an effort to encourage network 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 Combined 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 and user-friendly design and the ease of paying for the EV juice.
Six months later, Ford became the first to announce it would work with Tesla in a deal that would give its customers access to more than 12,000 Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. But it wasn’t just about giving Ford EV owners access to a special adapter. Ford also committed to integrating its future EVs with NACS ports instead of CCS.
Rivian, GM, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, and Stellantis followed.
In the U.S. today, there are 36,499 NACS ports available publicly (although some of those might be from other EV charging companies that have adapted Tesla’s standard), compared to around 16,925 CCS ports. That’s despite federal dollars that have gone explicitly to the buildout of CCS chargers.
For EV owners stuck with a CCS port, they’ll have to hold out for manufacturer-approved adapters. While there are some third-party adapters that claim to be compliant with certain safety and performance standards, like Lectron’s Vortex Plug for $199, Tesla’s website says such adapters are prohibited.
A GM spokesperson told TechCrunch its adapters have been specifically designed to protect GM EV batteries while charging and that its vehicle warranty doesn’t 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 adapters. That statement, combined with GM’s announcement, could mean that even more non-Tesla EVs will be pulling up to Supercharger stations soon. They’ll all have to download the Tesla app so they can pay for charging.
Certain Ford customers officially gained access to Tesla Superchargers in February, but ongoing supply constraints have delayed the delivery of free fast-charging adapters for most customers (although Ford says the delays have affected “some” customers).
Current owners of the Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning who have yet to order their adapter can do so through their Ford Pass app. The deadline to apply for a free adapter is September 30.
As of September 2024, GM has finally updated the software on its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs so customers can use Tesla’s Superchargers. If they want access soon, they need to purchase a “GM approved” adapter through their app for $225.
GM wouldn’t say how long shipping would take. A GM spokesperson said the company already has an inventory of the adapters and that it’s worked with multiple suppliers to manufacture the approved NACS DC fast-charging adapters.
From 2025 onward, GM’s EVs will be built with the NACS charge port.
The South Korean automaker has made several moves to give EV owners access to NACS chargers in the coming year.
Kia announced in September its plans to give EV owners access to NACS chargers starting January 15, 2025. They used the announcement as something of a promotion, offering customers who buy a new 2024 EV6 or 2024 or 2025 EV9 SUV from September 4, 2024 a free adapter mailed to them in early 2025, if there’s enough supply. Existing Kia EV6, EV9, and Niro EV customers who took delivery before September 4 will have to buy an adapter from a dealer “at a later date.”
But for those who don’t want to bother with an adapter, Kia shared some news at the LA Auto Show in November. Both the 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 GT will be manufactured with a NACS plug. The EV6 is expected to go on sale in the first half of 2025, and the EV9 GT in the latter half of next year.
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 were also both presented with NACS plugs at the LA Auto Show and promise drivers access to Tesla’s Supercharging network.
Beginning in late 2024, Nissan plans to give Ariya drivers access to Tesla’s network through a NACS adapter. The automaker also said that in 2025, it will start offering EVs for the U.S. and Canadian markets with a NACS port.
EV startup Rivian officially got access to 15,000 Superchargers across North America on March 18, 2024. At the time, Rivian promised to begin sending adapters to customers starting in April. A Rivian spokesperson told TechCrunch the automaker began delivery this spring and continues to ship adapters as quickly as it receives them.
As of September 2024, Rivian said that customers who order a new vehicle will have an adapter shipped to them automatically when they take delivery. Customers will receive the adapter within seven to 10 business days. The EV-maker also promised that those who already own a Rivian and are still awaiting an adapter will receive one at no cost by the end of January 2025.
The two Swedish car brands owned by China’s Geely began offering their EV customers access to Tesla’s Supercharger network at the end of October.
Volvo said it will include a free NACS adapter for any customer who buys a 2025 EX90, EX40, or EC40. Existing Volvo EV owners will have to shell out $230 for an adapter, which they can buy from a dealership or service center.
Polestar is also selling the adapter through its service centers. Both brands gave a mid-November date when they’ll start shipping adapters. Volvo and Polestar are also updating their Android-powered infotainment software so drivers can search for Tesla Superchargers in the vehicle’s navigation.
TechCrunch will update the list as automakers gain official access.
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