When Ford announced last spring that EV customers would soon have access to Tesla Superchargers, it sparked what would become 2023’s most popular EV trend. Almost everyone joined the Supercharger network, with promises of adapters before full integration. However, the entire process of how it will function has yet to be fully understood. We do know that Ford EV owners will start receiving adapters this spring, and they won’t need to install any new apps.
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Ford EV owners won’t need the Tesla app to use Tesla Superchargers.
Ford states owners can utilize their FordPass app and BlueOval Charging Network account to access Tesla Superchargers.
Ford Model E spokesperson Marty J. Günsberg confirmed via email to InsideEVs that Ford owners would be able to use their FordPass app and BlueOval Charging Network account to access Tesla Superchargers. This means they won’t need additional accounts or payment systems, which is a foundational aspect of the BlueOval Charging Network. This “network” essentially integrates an account to access various third-party chargers, including stations owned by Electrify America, ChargePoint, EVgo, Blink, and, soon, Tesla. Ford notes that this functionality will work with V3 and later Tesla Superchargers.
“[The BlueOval Charging Network] provides a single seamless stored payment account through the FordPass App, or the in-vehicle’s touchscreen, that eliminates the need for onsite credit card use. Once owners have created a BlueOval Charge Network account, they can then select, activate, and pay for BlueOval Charge Network charging by using the FordPass ‘View Chargers’ functionality,” Günsberg wrote in an email, highlighting that this will all apply to Supercharger sessions. This means that users should be able to locate and activate Tesla Superchargers directly from their Mach-E or F-150 Lightning’s in-car infotainment system.
It’s still unclear if this will be the standard for other automakers using Tesla Superchargers, or if it’s a special deal Ford has with the company. After all, most EVs do require separate accounts to pay for Electrify America, ChargePoint, and other chargers. In the future, we hope that vehicle-to-infrastructure communication will improve. If everyone can automatically start a charging session simply by plugging in, it will greatly enhance the entire EV ownership experience.