If you see a Ford EV charging at a Tesla Supercharger - it's not your imagination. The days of non-Teslas using its network have arrived.
Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E retail customers recently became the first of any non-Tesla automaker to gain access to Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. This gives them access to 15,000+ available Tesla Superchargers which Ford says more than doubles its customer access to reliable DC fast charging on its own BlueOval Charge Network.
In sharing the news, Ford cited a Cox Automotive Consumer Sentiment Study that finds a lack of charging stations is the second largest barrier after price when it comes to purchasing an electric vehicle. It says as EV prices come down, improving access to reliable fast charging is critical to help more customers confidently choose an EV.
On February 29, 2024 Ford President and CEO Jim Farley had this to say:
"Starting today, Ford EV customers will have access to more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada, more than doubling fast charging options on the BlueOval Charge Network. This move will improve the public charging experience by giving our customers even more choice and is a vital part of our growth as an EV brand. I would like to thank Elon and the Tesla team for their close collaboration and Tesla’s leadership to help change the lives of so many EV customers through improved access to charging.” - Ford President and CEO Jim Farley.
Right now, Ford EV owners need an adaptor to use the Tesla Superchargers. Ford says as a thank you to its EV customers, its making the Fast Charging Adapter available at no cost to new and existing customers enrolled in the BlueOval Charge Network through June 30, 2024. After that it will cost future EV owners $320 to purchase one (including estimated tax and shipping). Ford says its retail EV customers are the first in the industry to have the opportunity to order the Fast Charging Adapter.
If you're a Ford Pro Commercial customer Ford says you'll be contacted by mail this Spring at the address registered with Ford Pro or via their Ford Pro account manager to order an adapter.
Ford EV customers don't need to use a credit card site. Rather they can pay on the BlueOval Charge Network with a stored payment account through the FordPass App, or Charge Assist App (soon to be "Public Charge") in the vehicle’s touchscreen. Once owners have created an account and activated Plug & Charge, Tesla Superchargers will support Plug & Charge with Ford EVs. So customers just plug in and charging prices will be managed through FordPass.
In the future, Ford says it will begin offering next-generation electric vehicles with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector built-in, so EV owners won't need an adaptor.
Other automakers have also made deals with Tesla to use its Supercharging network. They include Acura, GM, BMW, Fisker, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Rivian, Polestar, and Volvo.
