Tesla has officially revealed the cost of the necessary upgrade for its legacy models to be compatible with the CCS Combo 1 Adapter.
For those unaware, the EV giant is now selling a CCS Combo 1 Adapter for Tesla owners to access other public charging networks other than its own Supercharger.
How much is the CCS Combo 1 Adapter?
Tesla offers the CCS Combo 1 Adapter for only $175 per the company’s online configurator.
It is worth remembering that Tesla initially priced the adapter at $250 in the US before it was reduced to the current price.
Compatibility issues
Not all Tesla models are compatible with the said adapter, as it only fits with Tesla vehicles built after October 2020.
Meanwhile, older models need to undergo a retrofit for an astounding $450, including the adapter itself. Some models’ charging ECUs (electronic control units) are incompatible with the new CCS adapter. Hence, an upgrade is definitely needed for drivers who want to use other public chargers.
“The CCS Combo 1 Adapter is compatible with most Tesla vehicles, though some vehicles may require additional hardware. Sign in to the Tesla app to check your vehicle’s compatibility and schedule a Service retrofit if needed.”
Tesla
Additionally, the website states that you must check back on the Tesla Service Center by the middle of 2023 if you own a Model 3 or Model Y that needs a retrofit. The automaker appears to have already begun the retrofits, which added pressure to its service capacity.
In retrospect, the initial release of Tesla’s official CCS adapter was exclusive to Korea in 2020. By the end of 2023, the automaker had finally launched it in North America. However, it must be noted that not all Tesla owners may choose to get the expensive retrofit since it would not really affect their cars.
