Ford has announced that its electric vehicles can now charge at Tesla’s superchargers, thanks to a new adapter that it is offering to its customers for free until June 30. The adapter, which works with Ford’s Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning models, allows Ford drivers to access more than 12,000 Tesla fast-charging plugs in the US and Canada. The move gives Ford a competitive advantage over other automakers, as it expands its charging options and reduces its costs. It also benefits Tesla, as it generates more revenue and strengthens its position as the leader in the EV charging market.
Ford expands its charging options with Tesla’s adapter
Ford said that its customers can now charge their electric vehicles at Tesla’s superchargers, which are the most extensive and fastest charging network in North America. Tesla’s superchargers can deliver up to 250 kilowatts of power, which can add up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes. Ford’s customers can use the adapter to plug their vehicles into Tesla’s charging plugs, and pay Tesla for the electricity through their credit cards or mobile apps.
Ford said that the adapter is compatible with its Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning models, which are its flagship electric vehicles. The Mustang Mach-E is a crossover SUV that competes with Tesla’s Model Y, and the F-150 Lightning is an electric version of Ford’s best-selling pickup truck. Both vehicles have a range of over 300 miles on a single charge, and can charge at up to 150 kilowatts of power.
Ford said that it is offering the adapter for free to its current and future customers until June 30, 2024. After that, the adapter will cost $230. Ford said that the adapter is a limited-time offer, and that it will switch to Tesla’s charging connector with its second-generation EVs starting next year. Ford said that the adapter is part of its commitment to make charging easy and convenient for its customers, and that it will continue to invest in its own charging network, called the FordPass Charging Network, which has more than 60,000 public charging plugs in North America.
Ford reduces its costs and gains an edge over rivals
Ford’s decision to use Tesla’s charging tech is a smart move that reduces its costs and gives it an edge over its rivals, according to some analysts and experts. They said that Ford can save money by not having to build its own fast-charging stations, which can cost up to $250,000 each. They also said that Ford can attract more customers by offering them more charging options and flexibility, and by leveraging Tesla’s brand and reputation.
Ford’s move also puts pressure on other automakers, such as General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, to follow suit and adopt Tesla’s charging tech, or risk losing customers to Ford and Tesla. These automakers have their own charging networks, such as GM’s Ultium Charge 360, Toyota’s CHAdeMO, and Volkswagen’s Electrify America, but they are not as widespread or as fast as Tesla’s superchargers. They also use different charging connectors, which are not compatible with Tesla’s plugs.
Ford is not the only automaker that has partnered with Tesla to use its charging tech. In June 2023, GM announced that it will also offer Tesla’s adapter to its customers, and that it will use Tesla’s charging connector with its future EVs. GM said that the partnership will save it up to $400 million of a planned investment in building out its own charging network. GM said that it will still maintain and expand its own charging network, but that it will also give its customers access to Tesla’s superchargers.
Tesla generates more revenue and strengthens its position as the leader
Tesla’s decision to open up its superchargers to other automakers is also a smart move that generates more revenue and strengthens its position as the leader in the EV charging market, according to some analysts and experts. They said that Tesla can earn billions of dollars a year by charging fees to the drivers of Ford and other EVs, and that it can also sell more adapters and connectors to these automakers. They also said that Tesla can increase its market share and influence in the EV market, and that it can benefit from the environmental credits and the goodwill that it can earn from the regulators and the public.
Tesla’s move also shows its confidence and dominance in the EV market, as it does not fear losing customers to other automakers by sharing its charging tech. Tesla has the largest and the most loyal customer base in the EV market, and it has the most advanced and the most innovative EV products and services. Tesla also has the most valuable and the most recognizable brand in the EV market, and it has the most visionary and the most charismatic leader in Elon Musk.
Tesla has been building and expanding its supercharger network since 2012, and it has invested billions of dollars in it. Tesla has also been developing and improving its charging tech, such as its V3 superchargers, which can charge at up to 250 kilowatts of power, and its Megapack batteries, which can store and supply electricity to the superchargers. Tesla has also been creating and promoting its own charging standard, which uses a proprietary connector that is different from the ones used by other automakers.
