In a significant development for electric vehicle (EV) owners, Ford has announced that owners of its electric vehicles can now utilize much of Tesla’s extensive charging network across the United States and Canada. However, there’s a caveat: owners will require an adapter provided by Ford, which will be distributed for free starting from the end of March.
Last May, Ford made history by becoming the first automaker to forge an agreement with Tesla, based in Austin, Texas, to utilize its expansive charging network, recognized as the largest and most strategically positioned network in the U.S.
With over 26,000 plugs and nearly 2,400 Supercharger stations spanning the U.S. and Canada, Tesla’s network offers unparalleled coverage. Ford has confirmed that its owners will have access to approximately 15,000 Tesla fast-charging plugs strategically located along key travel routes. However, it’s worth noting that some older Tesla plugs will not be compatible with Ford vehicles.
Following Ford’s lead, most other automakers have also joined Tesla’s network and agreed to transition to Tesla’s plug, known as the North American Charging Standard. This plug is noted for its compact size and user-friendly design compared to existing plugs used by most EVs in the two countries.
Ford anticipates that incorporating Tesla plugs into its network will effectively double the charging infrastructure available to Ford EV owners. With nearly 166,000 Ford EVs currently on U.S. roads, the move addresses a top concern among EV owners: access to reliable charging infrastructure, despite the fact that they typically charge at home 80% of the time.
Ken Williams, Director of Charging and Energy Services at Ford, emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting the charging needs of its EV owners. Ford is offering the adapters at no cost to owners, who can reserve them through the Ford.com website from Thursday until June 30. Each vehicle will be eligible for one free adapter.
Tesla’s charging network integration for Ford vehicles was activated on Wednesday morning, with the necessary software updates for Ford vehicles set to be dispatched concurrently.
Ford intends to transition to Tesla’s charging connector with its second-generation EVs, scheduled to debut next year. Customers will be responsible for paying Tesla for the electricity consumed during charging sessions. Pricing information will be accessible through Ford’s mobile app and public charging apps available on vehicle touch screens.
