It’s an interesting question to ponder. With Ford’s new Fast Charging Adapter that enables Ford electric vehicles to utilize the Tesla Supercharger network, one might wonder if it could also work for other electric vehicles like Rivian or Chevrolet Bolt. However, the reality is a bit more complex.
Currently, until more automakers gain authorization to access Superchargers, the Ford adapter cannot be used with other EVs. Our friend Tom Moloughney from the State Of Charge YouTube channel recently tested the Ford adapter by charging his F-150 Lightning at a Tesla station successfully. This demonstrated the convenience for Ford EV owners with free access to 15,000 Tesla fast chargers until June 30, after which the adapters will be available for purchase at $230 including tax and shipping.
In a fun experiment, Tom tried using the Ford adapter on a Rivian and a Chevrolet Bolt. Unfortunately, both attempts resulted in an “unauthorized vehicle” error message. Even when using third-party adapters from A2Z and Lectron, the outcome remained the same. It’s evident that this limitation is a software issue rather than a hardware one, highlighting the need for Tesla to authenticate more vehicles for charging on their network.
The automotive landscape is rapidly evolving, with more manufacturers following Ford’s footsteps to gain access to the Tesla network. Future EV models in the U.S. and Canada are expected to have native compatibility with Tesla charging infrastructure by 2025. As the industry progresses, we can anticipate broader support for different electric vehicles to charge at Supercharger stations.
If you happen to stumble upon any innovative workaround that allows non-Tesla EVs to charge at Supercharger stations, do share your insights with us!