Ford to Adopt Tesla’s EV Charging Standard, Opening Superchargers
In what looks to be a surprise move, Ford announced today that it has reached an agreement with Tesla, granting Ford electric vehicle (EV) customers access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. This move, set to take effect in early 2024, will effectively double the number of fast-chargers available to Ford EV customers.
Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit customers will be able to access the Superchargers via an adapter and software integration, with activation and payment facilitated through FordPass or Ford Pro Intelligence.
By 2025, Ford plans to equip its next-generation EVs with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, eliminating the need for an adapter to access Tesla Superchargers. The NACS is Tesla’s charging connector and charge port. Last fall, Tesla said it was opening up their charging standard to all automakers.
Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO, hailed the agreement as a significant step forward for the company’s EV customers. “This is great news for our customers who will have unprecedented access to the largest network of fast-chargers in the U.S. and Canada with 12,000+ Tesla Superchargers plus 10,000+ fast-chargers already in the BlueOval Charge Network,” he said. “Widespread access to fast-charging is absolutely vital to our growth as an EV brand.”
“We’ve spent the last 10 years building an industry-leading Charging Network that enables freedom to travel and provides charging confidence for our Tesla owners. We’re excited to deliver on our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy by welcoming Ford owners, and other electric vehicles who adopt NACS, to our thousands of Superchargers across North America,” added Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure.
The BlueOval Charge Network, already North America’s largest public charging network with over 84,000 chargers, will be further bolstered by the addition of Tesla Superchargers. This integration will create the single largest fast-charge network across the U.S. and Canada, significantly reducing charge anxiety for Ford customers.
Furthermore, Ford dealers are set to add approximately 1,800 public-facing fast-chargers and locations to the BlueOval Charge Network by early 2024. This collaboration between Ford and Tesla marks a significant milestone in the EV industry, promising a superior charging experience for customers and propelling the world’s transition to sustainable energy.