Ford to Incorporate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard into Future EVs
Ford has announced that it will incorporate Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector into its future electric vehicles starting in 2025. This move will enable Ford EVs to use Tesla Superchargers without the need for an adapter. Starting in early 2024, owners of Ford's F-150 Lightning, Mach-E, or E-Transit will be able to access Tesla's V3 Superchargers, but those vehicles will still need an adapter and the FordPass app for payment. This agreement marks a significant step in EV charging standards and is regarded as a vital breakthrough for Ford's growth as an EV brand.[0]
The Tesla-developed adapter will provide Ford's F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, and E-Transit vehicles, which are fitted with the Combined Charging System (CCS) port, access to Tesla's V3 Superchargers. Starting in 2025, Ford will equip future EVs with the NACS charge port, eliminating the need for an adapter for direct access to Tesla Superchargers.
Ford's adoption of the open-source charging standard will eliminate the need for an adapter to recharge at Tesla Supercharger stations.[1] This move will offer Ford EVs access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the United States and Canada, which are beyond those chargers serviced by EVGo and Electrify America and other providers.
Ford CEO Jim Farley and Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the deal during a live audio discussion on Twitter Spaces.[2] This partnership is a break from the rest of the industry, which has relied on deals with smaller and less reliable charging networks.[3] According to iSeeCars, non-Tesla networks have about 11,500 fast-charger plugs combined.[3] Tesla operates arguably the largest, most widespread, and reliable charging network in America, with about 17,000 charging connectors, providing access to roughly 12,000 fast chargers to Ford customers, which will more than double the number of fast-charger plugs available to Ford EV owners from all charging partners.
In addition to the Tesla arrangement, Ford dealers are adding about 1.8K public-facing fast-chargers and locations to the BlueOval Charge Network by early 2024. According to Ford, the Tesla partnership will more than double the number of fast chargers available to Ford EV owners, and the Ford BlueOval network already includes more than 10,000 public fast chargers. Offering both connections in the future feels like a win-win for customers and for Ford.[4]
With the adoption of Tesla's NACS, Tesla's charging plug design, known for some advantages over the current CCS standard, might start gaining traction across the North American EV sector. However, Ford's move to adopt Tesla's NACS is taking the easy way out of the charging network problem. Other automakers like GM, Hyundai, and VW could see this as an opportunity to freely strike their deals and innovate in the charging space.[5]
In conclusion, Ford's adoption of Tesla's NACS is a significant milestone in the EV charging standard, offering Ford EVs access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the United States and Canada. This move eliminates the need for an adapter to recharge at Tesla Supercharger stations, making it possible for Ford's electric vehicles to use Tesla Superchargers directly. This partnership is a break from the rest of the industry, which has relied on deals with smaller and less reliable charging networks.[3]
0. “Tesla and Ford Forge New Partnership: Ford To Incorporate Tesla Charge Port (NACS) in Future EVs” Not a Tesla App, 29 May. 2023, https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/1443/tesla-and-ford-forge-new-partnership-ford-to-incorporate-tesla-charge-port-nacs-in-future-evs
1. “Ford Will Integrate Tesla's Charging Ports Into New EVs” Road & Track, 26 May. 2023, https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a44016443/ford-will-integrate-teslas-charging-ports-into-new-evs/
2. “Tesla CEO Elon Musk discusses EV future with Ford CEO Jim Farley” Electrek, 25 May. 2023, https://electrek.co/2023/05/25/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-discusses-ev-future-with-ford-ceo-jim-farley/
3. “Why Tesla is doing business with Ford on Superchargers” Automotive News, 26 May. 2023, https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/why-tesla-doing-business-ford-superchargers
4. “Ford EVs Getting Supercharger Access in 2024, Tesla Charging Ports in 2025” CNET, 25 May. 2023, https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/ford-tesla-announce-ev-supercharger-partnership/
5. “Tesla and Ford crash the EV party with a surprise deal” The Verge, 27 May. 2023, https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/27/23738771/ford-tesla-electric-car-charging-nacs
