Tesla owners worry about potential congestion as Ford gains access to Tesla Superchargers stations.
TWC – In a surprising announcement that has left Tesla owners concerned, Tesla and Ford have revealed plans to open Tesla Supercharger stations to Ford electric vehicles. During a Twitter Spaces talk, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Ford CEO Jim Farley shared that all current and future Ford electric vehicles will have access to approximately 12,000 Tesla Supercharger stations across North America starting next spring.
This move allows Tesla to qualify for a portion of the federal funds allocated for improving electric vehicle charging in America. It aims to enhance the charging experience for Ford EV owners. However, for Tesla customers, this development raises concerns about potentially longer wait times and increased congestion at charging stations. This issue has already been a point of contention for many Tesla owners.
John Sergeant, a Tesla owner from Seattle, expressed his worries, stating, “That’s the one thing that concerns me—whether it might add to congestion.” He emphasized the need for additional superchargers, even without non-Tesla vehicles utilizing the coveted spaces.
Although this partnership may be unsettling for Tesla owners, it aligns with Musk’s previous indications that Tesla’s charging network would eventually be opened to other automakers. In February, the White House announced plans to create a convenient and reliable electric vehicle charging network as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s substantial investment in EV charging.
As part of this initiative, Tesla committed to opening a portion of its U.S. Supercharger and Destination Charger network to non-Tesla EVs, making at least 7,500 chargers accessible to all EVs by 2024. Musk reiterated Tesla’s support for Ford, emphasizing that he didn’t want Tesla charging stations to be a “walled garden.” He stated, “We intend to do everything possible to support Ford and have Ford be on an equal footing at Tesla Superchargers.”
While this collaboration benefits Ford and promotes equal access to charging infrastructure, it may result in Tesla owners having to wait for Ford customers to charge their vehicles—a situation they are not accustomed to.
Ford’s current electric vehicles will initially require an adaptor at Tesla stations. However, starting in 2025, Ford’s second-generation electric vehicles will utilize Tesla’s North American charging standard connector.
Last November, Tesla announced its intention to share its EV connector design, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), with other car manufacturers. Tesla encouraged charging network operators and vehicle manufacturers to incorporate the NACS into their equipment and vehicles.
During their conversation, Ford’s Jim Farley admired Tesla’s charging stations, stating, “This is a huge deal for our customers… we love the locations, the reliability… What you and your team have done for the customers.”
While Ford customers welcome the convenience, Tesla owners now face the prospect of adjusting to potential delays and sharing charging stations with other EV owners. This development marks a significant shift for the Tesla charging ecosystem and highlights the evolving landscape of electric vehicle infrastructure.