Ford CEO Hails Agreement with Tesla to Enhance Fast-Charging Options for EV Customers

Dew Briefs :

• Ford CEO Jim Farley tested a Tesla NACS adapter at a Supercharger site in Northville, Michigan.
• Ford is leading the way in enabling Tesla Supercharger access for its EV drivers.
• Ford is preparing to release a NACS adapter soon, but there are concerns about the placement of the charging port on Ford’s Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning models.

Diver Insights :

• Ford EV customers will soon have access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers in the U.S. and Canada, along with 10,000 DC fast-chargers in the BlueOval Charge Network.
• This expanded access will offer fast-charging capabilities for Ford EV models like the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit.
• Customers can use Superchargers with an adapter and software integration, with activation and payment options through FordPass or Ford Pro Intelligence.
• Ford plans to introduce next-gen electric vehicles by 2025 with integrated NACS connectors for direct access to Tesla Superchargers.
• The Tesla Supercharger network is reliable and has established charging corridors across the U.S. and Canada.

“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,”

“Widespread access to fast-charging is absolutely vital to our growth as an EV brand, and this breakthrough agreement comes as we are ramping up production of our popular Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, and preparing to launch a series of next-generation EVs starting in 2025.”

Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO

Ford and Tesla have agreed to give Ford electric vehicle customers access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers in the US and Canada.

This partnership will double the number of fast-chargers available to Ford EV customers from Spring 2024.

Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, is excited about the agreement, as it will provide Ford customers with unprecedented access to the largest network of fast-chargers in North America. Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, Rebecca Tinucci, is enthusiastic about welcoming Ford owners to their Supercharger network and their mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Starting in 2025, Ford will equip future EVs with the NACS charge port, eliminating the need for an adapter to access Tesla Superchargers.

“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.”

Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure

Ford will provide a Tesla-developed adapter for Ford EV models to access Tesla Superchargers until the NACS charge port is integrated into future models in 2025. Ford Model e’s Marin Gjaja praised Tesla’s efficient charging system and the benefits for customers and the EV adoption landscape.

This move by Ford to enable Tesla Supercharger access for its EV drivers is a significant step towards increasing convenience and accessibility for electric vehicle owners. By offering a NACS adapter, Ford is not only expanding the charging options for its customers but also showing a willingness to collaborate with other automakers in the EV space.

The decision to remove the NACS adapter from the parts catalog after being priced at $1 may have been a misstep, but it also indicates that Ford is actively working on making this accessory available to its customers in the near future. The similarities between Ford’s NACS adapter and Tesla’s Magic Dog Adapter may raise some eyebrows, but it also shows that both companies are looking for ways to make charging more seamless for all EV drivers.

The concerns about the placement of the charging port on the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning are valid, as they could potentially lead to congestion at Supercharger stations. However, it is encouraging to see that Tesla is already addressing these issues with its next-generation V4 Supercharger stalls, and it is likely that Ford and other non-Tesla automakers will also find solutions to ensure a smooth charging experience for their customers.

Overall, the efforts by Ford to enable Tesla Supercharger access and address the challenges of charging port placement demonstrate a commitment to advancing the adoption of electric vehicles and providing a better experience for EV drivers. As the EV market continues to grow, collaboration and innovation in charging infrastructure will be key to driving widespread adoption of electric vehicles.