Carmakers embracing Tesla Supercharger technology

author: FutureCar Staff    

In recent months, numerous automakers have announced that their electric vehicles (EVs) will be able to use Tesla's Supercharger network. Ford Motor Co. was the first major automaker to make this announcement, and since then, 20 more brands, including Lucid, have joined. According to Daniel Breton, CEO of Electric Mobility Canada, companies are choosing Tesla's fast chargers because they are more reliable and easier to use than other charging networks.

Public fast chargers can charge an EV to 80% in approximately 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the car and charger speed. Tesla launched its proprietary Supercharger network in 2012, which initially only worked with Tesla vehicles and used a different plug than other chargers. However, a year ago, Tesla announced that it would allow other carmakers to use its proprietary charging standard, known as the North American charging standard (NACS).

Several automakers, including Acura, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, and Volvo, have already committed to switching to Tesla's charging standard on new EVs by 2025. Some of these companies, such as BMW and Mini, have also stated that they will offer adapters for existing EVs with CCS plugs to use Tesla's Superchargers with NACS plugs. However, Stellantis and Volkswagen Group are still evaluating the option.

In a J.D. Power study, Tesla's charging network ranked first for reliability. The study found that only 3.9% of EV drivers experienced problems at Tesla Superchargers, compared to 21.6% who had issues at non-Tesla public charging stations. Unlike other networks that require additional cards or apps, Tesla's chargers are plug-and-pay, automatically starting and charging the cost to the user's Tesla account.

While some automakers have stated that charging at Superchargers will be activated and paid for through their apps, it is expected that most EVs will eventually support plug-and-pay at Superchargers. Tesla has also been adding built-in CCS adapters to some of its Superchargers to allow other EV brands to charge. Despite the increased demand for Superchargers, it is believed that most other charging networks will adopt Tesla's NACS plug, making it easier for Tesla drivers to use them without adapters.

John Dixon, a Tesla owner and president of the Tesla Owner's Club of Ontario, believes that Tesla will continue to open more stations and add more chargers to existing stations to meet the growing demand. He also believes that Tesla's decision to open its network is positive for the EV industry as a whole, as Tesla's network is known for its reliability.

FutureCar Staff