American legacy automaker Ford has officially gained access to Tesla’s enormous and reliable Supercharger network in North America owing to the free NACS adapter for owners.
Excitingly, Rivian owners are also set to enjoy the same charging benefits as early as this month.
Ford starts offering free NACS adapter
According to the press release, Ford will offer free CCS to NACS adapters to new and existing customers from February 29 through June 30, 2024. Notably, the initial Ford electric vehicle models to access Tesla’s Supercharger network include the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E.
“Today, Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E retail customers are the first of any non-Tesla automaker to gain access to Tesla Superchargers across the US and Canada.”
Ford
After the given timeline, future owners will need to pay for the NACS adapter worth $230.
Ford noted that the adapter will enable fast charging at Tesla V3 Superchargers but not with V2 Superchargers and Destination Chargers. The American automaker also said V3 Superchargers will not be open to Ford owners.
What’s special about Ford’s adapter?
Despite the limitations, Ford declared that the adapter will enable its current drivers to access “more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across the US and Canada.” It also supports a fast charging capacity of up to the maximum 150kW speed of the Mach-E and Lightning.
Presented below are some of the key specifications of the adapter:
| Items | Details |
| Rated Voltage | 1000VDC |
| Rated Current | 300A @ 35C and 500A Boost Current for 10 minutes |
| Safety features | Interlock to prevent the NACS connector from being unplugged and built-in temperature sensors. |
Ford owners seeking to obtain the free adapter only need to go to Ford’s website. You can validate your VIN to request the NACS adapter using your Ford account. However, owners must also be enrolled in Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network.
Rivian owners to access Tesla Superchargers this month
After Ford, Rivian R1 electric vehicle owners are expected to gain access to Tesla’s Supercharger network as early as March.
According to Rivian’s announcement on social media platform X, it will finally add Tesla Supercharger sites to its vehicle and app trip planner this month. Meanwhile, adapter deliveries will commence soon after.
Starting in 2025, both Ford and Rivian will no longer need to use NACS adapters. Their next-gen models will come equipped with the NACS port straight from the factory, making charging more convenient for future owners. This significant development can potentially address the prevailing issue that impedes electric vehicle uptake: the lack of a sufficient and reliable charging network.
