In a move that could send a bolt of electricity through the electric vehicle (EV) market, Ford Motor has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Tesla to bring Supercharging capabilities to its EV owners in the U.S. and Canada. Starting Thursday, lucky Ford drivers will be able to access Tesla’s renowned Supercharger network, but there’s a catch—it might take a while to get fully charged up due to supply constraints.
Ford’s collaboration with Tesla marks a historic moment, making it the first automaker to strike a deal to use Tesla’s Supercharger network. This move sets Ford apart from the herd, as most U.S. automakers have eagerly followed suit. Under this agreement, Ford will adopt Tesla’s charging port for its future EV models, a decision that could spark a revolution in the EV charging industry.
However, non-Tesla vehicle owners will need an adapter to connect to Tesla’s charging network, as they use different charging technology. Ford assures its customers that this partnership will more than double access to fast chargers, but warns that the high demand may initially outstrip supply. Ken Williams, Ford’s director of charging and energy services, emphasized that they will manage this demand on a first-come, first-served basis.
Despite the excitement, Ford has remained tight-lipped about the number of adapters currently available. Since 2023, approximately 140,000 EVs have been sold by Ford in the U.S., with the adapters expected to start shipping to customers in late March.
Tesla, the brains behind the adapter, will handle its distribution to automakers. Fast chargers can add hundreds of miles of driving range in an hour or less, far outpacing less powerful chargers that can take several hours.
In a surprising twist, Ford is not paying Tesla for access to its Supercharger network, nor is it receiving any revenue from the arrangement. This altruistic move showcases Ford’s commitment to enhancing the EV experience for its customers.
Current Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E retail customers can reserve a free charging adapter through Ford’s owner app or website until June 30. After this date, the adapters will cost $230 each.
To reserve an adapter, customers must login or enroll in Ford’s “BlueOval Charge Network” through the FordPass App. Ford owners will be able to utilize the Tesla charger through the FordPass App or Charge Assist App, eliminating the need for onsite credit card use. They can also use Tesla’s app.
The adapter bridges the gap between the Combined Charging System (CCS) charger port, the U.S. industry standard, and Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) system.
With access to over 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada, Ford owners will have a charge of a lifetime. Tesla boasts more than 50,000 Supercharger connectors worldwide, but the exact number in the U.S. is undisclosed. In contrast, the U.S. Department of Energy reports only about 6,900 publicly available CCS fast chargers in the country.
This groundbreaking partnership has electrified the EV community, offering Ford owners a charged-up future with access to Tesla’s extensive charging network. With Ford leading the charge, the future of EVs looks brighter than ever!
(Source: Ford Media | CNBC | Electek)
