A significant transformation was initiated by Ford in May 2023 when the U.S. automaker secured a deal granting owners of its electric vehicles (EVs) access to the Tesla Supercharger network. This move marked the beginning of a substantial shift in the automotive industry, as numerous other automakers soon followed suit.
In a surprising turn of events, several major automakers, including General Motors, Hyundai, Rivian, and Mercedes, announced their intention to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) and provide adapters to their EV owners. By the end of 2023, nearly every major automaker had committed to adopting NACS, paving the way for a more unified charging infrastructure.
Many non-Tesla EV owners are still awaiting access to the Tesla Supercharger network, but recent announcements from automakers offer a glimmer of hope. TechCrunch is actively tracking the progress of various brands as they work towards gaining access to the Tesla Supercharger network and will update this list accordingly.
This development marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the EV charging landscape, and TechCrunch will continue to monitor and report on the latest updates.
The Shift to the Tesla EV Charging Standard
In November 2022, Tesla shared its EV charging connector design, encouraging network operators and automakers to adopt the technology and establish it as the new standard in North America. At the time, all other automakers were utilizing the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) in North America, making mass adoption of Tesla’s standard seem unlikely.
However, Tesla’s charging network was widely regarded as superior due to its robust and user-friendly design, as well as the ease of payment for EV charging. This perceived superiority helped pave the way for the eventual adoption of Tesla’s standard by other automakers.
Six months after Tesla shared its connector design, Ford became the first automaker to announce a deal with Tesla, granting its customers access to over 12,000 Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. This partnership not only provided Ford EV owners with access to a special adapter but also marked Ford’s commitment to integrating its future EVs with NACS ports instead of CCS.
Rivian, General Motors, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Kia, Lucid, and Stellantis soon followed Ford’s lead, announcing their intention to adopt Tesla’s NACS and provide adapters to their EV owners.
Tesla Charging FAQs
As of today, there are 36,499 NACS ports available publicly in the U.S., compared to around 16,925 CCS ports. This disparity exists despite federal funding allocated to the buildout of CCS chargers. Many non-Tesla EV owners are still waiting for access to the Tesla Supercharger network, and some have turned to third-party adapters as a potential solution.
However, it is essential to note that Tesla’s website prohibits the use of non-approved adapters, and some manufacturers, like General Motors, have explicitly stated that their vehicle warranties do not cover damage resulting from the use of non-approved adapters. General Motors has designed its adapters to protect GM EV batteries while charging, and customers are advised to use only GM-approved adapters.
In recent announcements, Tesla and General Motors have provided updates on their progress, including the production of adapters and the integration of NACS ports into their vehicles. These developments offer a positive outlook for non-Tesla EV owners who are waiting for access to the Tesla Supercharger network.
Tesla Supercharging Access Checklist
Ford
Ford customers officially gained access to Tesla Superchargers in February 2024, but ongoing supply constraints have delayed the delivery of free fast-charging adapters for most customers. However, in early 2025, more customers began receiving their adapters, marking a significant step forward in Ford’s rollout of Tesla Supercharger access.
General Motors
As of September 2024, General Motors has updated the software on its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs, enabling customers to use Tesla’s Superchargers. Customers can purchase a GM-approved adapter through their app for $225, and from 2025 onward, GM’s EVs will be built with the NACS charge port.
Honda and Acura
Honda announced in March 2025 that North American owners of the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX EVs would gain access to Tesla Superchargers in June. The automaker will make adapters available for purchase from dealerships closer to the launch date. Additionally, Honda plans to release the Acura RSX as its first EV built with a NACS charge port in 2026, followed by the Honda 0 series models.
Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai has made significant moves to provide EV owners with access to NACS chargers in the coming year. Kia announced plans to give EV owners access to NACS chargers starting January 15, 2025, and will offer free adapters to customers who purchase a new 2024 EV6 or 2024/2025 EV9 SUV from September 4, 2024. Existing Kia EV6, EV9, and Niro EV customers will have to buy an adapter from a dealer at a later date.
The 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 GT will be manufactured with a NACS plug, and the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 were both presented with NACS plugs at the LA Auto Show, promising drivers access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Lucid
Lucid Gravity SUV owners gained access to Tesla’s Supercharger network on January 31, 2025. The Gravity is built standard with the NACS charge port, and owners of the Lucid Air sedan, built with a CCS port, will gain access to the Supercharger network via adapters in the second quarter of 2025.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz announced that its EVs would be able to access Tesla’s network starting in February 2025. The company offers existing EV customers the ability to purchase an adapter made by Lectron for $185 through authorized dealerships. Mercedes plans to roll out its first vehicles with factory-installed NACS ports later this year.
Nissan
Nissan began giving Ariya drivers access to Tesla’s network through a NACS adapter in late 2024. The automaker also announced plans to start offering EVs for the U.S. and Canadian markets with a NACS port in 2025.
Rivian
Rivian officially gained access to 15,000 Superchargers across North America on March 18, 2024. The company promised to begin sending adapters to customers starting in April and has been shipping adapters as quickly as it receives them. As of September 2024, Rivian said that customers who order a new vehicle! will have an adapter shipped to them automatically when they take delivery.
Volvo (and Polestar)
Volvo and Polestar, the two Swedish car brands owned by China’s Geely, began offering their EV customers access to Tesla’s Supercharger network at the end of October 2024. Volvo said it would include a free NACS adapter for any customer who buys a 2025 EX90, EX40, or EC40, while existing Volvo EV owners would have to purchase an adapter for $230.
Polestar is also selling the adapter through its service centers, and both brands began shipping adapters at the end of 2024. Volvo and Polestar are updating their Android-powered infotainment software to allow drivers to search for Tesla Superchargers in the vehicle’s navigation.
TechCrunch will continue to update this list as automakers gain official access to the Tesla Supercharger network, providing the latest information
Source Link