Eighteen months ago, American automaker Ford began the transformation by signing a deal that gives its EV owners access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
In a surprising turn of events, automakers have followed suit. From GM and Hyundai to Rivian and Mercedes. By the end of 2023, nearly every major automaker has agreed to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), promising EV owners that adapters will be available soon.
Most non-Tesla customers are still waiting, but GM’s announcement earlier this week could provide a silver lining for electric optimism.
Owners of GM vehicles such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Cadillac Lyriq can now officially use Tesla’s Superchargers. All GM EV owners need to do is buy a GM-approved adapter to charge their cars at Tesla’s ports and wait.
More could be coming soon. TechCrunch is tracking which brands have access to the Tesla Supercharging Network and will update this list as we learn more.
Transitioning to Tesla EV Charging Standards
In November 2022, Tesla shared its EV charging connector design to encourage network operators and automakers to adopt the technology and make it the new standard in North America. At the time, all other automakers were using the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) in North America.
Although Tesla’s charging network was considered far superior due to its robust, user-friendly design and the ease of paying for an electric car, it seemed unlikely to gain traction at the time.
Six months later, Ford first announced a deal with Tesla to provide 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 future EVs with NACS ports instead of CCS.
They were followed by Rivian, GM, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid and Stellantis.
Tesla Charging FAQs
There are currently 36,499 publicly available NACS ports in the US (some of which may be provided by other EV charging companies that have adopted Tesla’s standard), compared to about 16,925 CCS ports. This is despite federal funding being specifically earmarked for building CCS chargers.
EV owners stuck with CCS ports will have to wait for a manufacturer-approved adapter. There are third-party adapters, like the $199 Vortex Plug from Lectron, that claim to meet certain safety and performance standards, but Tesla’s website says they are prohibited.
A GM spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company’s adapters are specifically designed to protect GM EV batteries while charging, and that the company’s vehicle warranties do not cover damage to vehicle components resulting from the use of non-GM-approved adapters.
In late August, Tesla posted that it had increased adapter production for the X. That statement, combined with GM’s announcement, could mean that more non-Tesla EVs will soon be arriving at Supercharger stations. All of them will have to download the Tesla app to pay for charging.
Tesla Supercharging Access Checklist
ford
Some Ford customers were officially able to use Tesla Superchargers in February, but ongoing supply constraints meant most customers were not provided with free fast-charging adapters (Ford says the delay affected a “subset” of customers).
Current owners of Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning who haven’t yet ordered an adapter can do so via the Ford Pass app. The deadline to apply for the free adapter is September 30.
General Motors
As of September 2024, GM has finally updated the software on its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs to allow customers to use Tesla’s Superchargers. Access will soon require a $225 “GM-approved” adapter purchased through the app.
GM did not say how long it would take to ship them. A GM spokesperson said the company already has adapters in stock and is working with multiple suppliers to manufacture approved NACS DC fast-charge adapters.
Starting in 2025, GM’s EVs will be equipped with NACS charging ports.
Come on, try it
Kia announced in September that it would offer NACS chargers to EV owners starting January 15, 2025. And they’re using that announcement as a kind of promotion.
Kia says customers who purchase a new 2024 EV6 or a 2024 or 2025 EV9 SUV starting September 4, 2024, will be mailed a free adapter in early 2025, subject to sufficient supply. Existing Kia EV6, EV9 and Niro EV customers who took delivery before September 4 will need to purchase the adapter from a dealer “at a later date.”
Libyan
EV startup Rivian officially received access to 15,000 Superchargers across North America on March 18, 2024. At the time, Rivian promised that it would begin shipping adapters to customers in April. A Rivian spokesperson told TechCrunch that the automaker began shipping this spring and is shipping adapters as soon as they are available.
As of September 2024, Rivian has stated that customers who order a new vehicle will automatically receive the adapter when they receive delivery. Customers will receive the adapter within 7 to 10 business days. The EV manufacturer has also promised to provide free adapters to those who already own a Rivian and are waiting for the adapter until the end of January 2025.
TechCrunch will update the list as automakers gain official access.
