Why This New Tesla Adapter Does—and Doesn’t—Fix EV Charging | WSJ
Summary
TLDRThe video explores the new adapter that enables non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) to charge at Tesla Supercharger stations in the US and Canada. The adapter's setup, compatibility issues, and charging speed are tested with a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Despite some parking and software glitches, the adapter offers a significant advantage in charging speed and network accessibility, albeit at a higher cost without a Tesla subscription. The video highlights the potential of this adapter as a 'big leap' for EV charging inclusivity.
Takeaways
- 🔌 The adapter allows non-Tesla EVs to charge at Tesla Superchargers, addressing a significant challenge in the EV industry.
- 🛠️ The adapter is somewhat difficult to remove and has durability issues, as evidenced by plastic breaking off when dropped.
- 🚗 The Ford Mustang Mach-E and other EVs from manufacturers like GM and Hyundai will gain access to over 15,000 Tesla Supercharger stalls in the US and Canada.
- 🔋 The 1.6-pound adapter enables the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug to fit into a non-Tesla CCS port, with a simple plug-and-charge setup.
- 🔄 A software update to the vehicle and setting up payment information in the FordPass app are required steps before using the adapter.
- 🆓 Adapters are free until the end of June 2024, after which they will be available for purchase at a cost of $230.
- 📍 Parking and spot usage can be problematic due to the design of Supercharger stations and the location of charging ports on non-Tesla EVs.
- 🚫 Not all Superchargers are compatible with non-Tesla EVs; only V3 and newer stations with updated software will work.
- 📱 The Ford Charge Assist dashboard app intended to help navigate to compatible chargers is described as slow and buggy.
- ⏱️ Charging speeds at Tesla Superchargers are competitive, but non-Tesla EVs may experience higher rates unless a subscription is purchased.
- 🌐 Despite initial concerns, Tesla owners did not express resentment towards non-Tesla EVs using the Superchargers, emphasizing inclusivity in EV charging.
Q & A
What is the adapter mentioned in the script designed to do?
-The adapter is designed to enable non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) to charge at Tesla Supercharger stations, solving a significant issue in the EV industry regarding charging compatibility.
What issue did the user encounter when trying to remove the adapter?
-The user found it difficult to remove the adapter and mentioned that when they dropped the dongle, plastic came off, indicating a potential durability issue with the adapter.
Which vehicles are initially able to use Tesla Superchargers with the adapter?
-The Ford Mustang Mach-E and EVs from other manufacturers like GM and Hyundai will be able to use the Tesla Superchargers with the help of the adapter.
What is the user's experience with the charging setup at Tesla Superchargers?
-The user found the setup process to be easy, involving a software update to their car and setting up payment information in the FordPass app.
How does the physical design of Tesla Superchargers and the Mach-E affect charging?
-The physical design of the Tesla Superchargers and the Mach-E's charging port location can lead to parking issues, as the user had to park in a way that could block access to other chargers.
What is Ford's response to the issue of charging port location on their EVs?
-Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, stated that they are committing to the standard and like the Supercharger solution technically, implying that they may consider moving the port location in future EV models.
Are all Tesla Superchargers compatible with non-Tesla EVs using the adapter?
-No, only V3 and newer Superchargers that have been updated with the right software are compatible with non-Tesla EVs using the adapter.
What is the user's experience with the speed of charging at a Tesla Supercharger compared to an EVgo station?
-The user found that charging their Mach-E from 20% to 80% at a Tesla Supercharger took 36 minutes and cost $25.20, which is slightly faster and cheaper than at an EVgo station.
How can non-Tesla EV owners find Superchargers that support their vehicles?
-Non-Tesla EV owners can use Tesla's smartphone app to find Ford supported Superchargers and then input the address into their in-car navigation system.
What is the cost difference between charging a non-Tesla EV and a Tesla at a Supercharger?
-Non-Tesla EV owners pay higher rates at Superchargers, but they can get the same price as Tesla owners by subscribing to a $13 per month Supercharger subscription.
What is the user's overall impression of the adapter and Tesla's charging network?
-Despite some issues with parking and compatibility, the user considers the adapter a good deal and appreciates the speed, breadth, and ease of use of Tesla's charging network.
Outlines
🔌 Tesla Supercharger Adapter Test
This paragraph discusses the introduction of an adapter that enables non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) to charge at Tesla Supercharger stations. The author tests the adapter with a Ford Mustang Mach-E at various Supercharger locations in New Jersey. The adapter allows Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug to fit into a non-Tesla CCS port. The setup involves a software update and payment setup in the FordPass app. The adapter is free until the end of June 2024, after which it will cost $230. The author also highlights parking and compatibility issues with the current Supercharger infrastructure and suggests that future Ford EVs will have the NACS port built-in. The Ford CEO, Jim Farley, is quoted discussing the commitment to the standard and the technical advantages of Tesla's Supercharger solution.
🚗 Evaluating the Tesla Supercharger Experience for Non-Tesla EVs
The second paragraph focuses on the author's experience using the Tesla Supercharger network with a non-Tesla EV. Despite the parking challenges and the fact that not all Superchargers are compatible with non-Tesla vehicles, the author finds the speed, breadth, and ease of use of Tesla's network to be a significant advantage. The author also addresses concerns about potential backlash from Tesla owners but finds that such issues were not encountered early on. The author emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in EV charging, drawing parallels to social diversity and the need to avoid division based on brand or nationality. The paragraph concludes by highlighting the adapter as a significant step forward in EV charging, symbolizing a 'big leap' for the industry.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Adapter
💡EV (Electric Vehicle)
💡Tesla Supercharger
💡NACS (North American Charging Standard)
💡CCS (Combined Charging System)
💡Software Update
💡FordPass App
💡V3 Supercharger
💡Charge Assist Dashboard App
💡Charging Speed
💡Subscription
Highlights
Introduction of an adapter that enables non-Tesla electric vehicles to charge at Tesla Superchargers.
The adapter addresses a significant problem in the EV industry by providing access to a widespread charging network.
The adapter's installation process is cumbersome and can cause damage to the vehicle.
The adapter allows Ford Mustang Mach-E and other EVs to charge at over 15,000 Tesla Supercharger locations in the US and Canada.
The charging process is simple with the adapter, involving a plug-in action.
A software update and payment setup in the FordPass app are required for the adapter to work.
The adapter is available for free until the end of June 2024, after which it will cost $230.
Supercharger sites are designed for Teslas, causing parking and charging spot issues for non-Tesla EVs.
Only V3 and newer Superchargers with updated software are compatible with non-Tesla EVs.
Ford's Charge Assist dashboard app is recommended for finding compatible chargers but is reported to be slow and buggy.
Tesla's smartphone app can be used as an alternative to find Ford supported Superchargers.
Charging speed comparison shows that charging a Mach-E at a Tesla Supercharger is faster and slightly cheaper than at an EVgo station.
Non-Tesla EV owners can subscribe to Tesla's Supercharger for a monthly fee to get the same charging rates as Tesla owners.
The adapter's introduction is considered a game changer for EV charging due to Tesla's network speed and ease of use.
No significant backlash from Tesla owners regarding the use of Superchargers by non-Tesla EVs was observed.
The adapter represents a significant step forward in EV charging inclusivity and convenience.
Transcripts
- This is it.
The adapter that will charge non-Teslas
at Tesla Superchargers.
It solves one of the EV industry's
biggest problems.
Kinda.
Getting this thing off is a pain.
I dropped the dongle,
there's plastic coming off.
So basically no one likes me here.
Yes, I can now charge my Ford Mustang Mach-E
at over 15,000 Tesla Supercharger stalls
in the US and Canada.
And EVs from GM, Hyundai and more,
will soon have the same access
to Tesla stations.
But is it really the dream?
Does it work?
Is it fast?
Am I gonna have to pay more?
To get the answers,
Charger number one.
Number two
I attempted to charge my 2023 Mach-E
at 10 different Tesla Supercharger locations
in my fine home state.
It's beautiful morning in New Jersey.
(funky music)
All right everyone, let's do this.
I gotta blend in somehow.
Test number one, the setup.
All right, this is it.
Ah, it's kinda heavy.
The 1.6 pound adapter
allows Tesla's North American Charging Standard plug
or NACS,
to fit into a non-Tesla CCS port
And dongle on
and moment of truth.
That blue is blinking.
Looks like we're charging!
It's just that easy.
Plug in and charge.
To set that up, I had to do two things.
First, install a software update to my car.
"During the update,
you may not be able to lock, unlock,
or enter the vehicle."
(horror music)
Second, set up my payment info
in the FordPass app.
As soon as I plug in the charger,
it knows it's my account.
These adapters are free until the end
of June, 2024.
You just have to register on Ford's website.
After that, they'll cost $230.
Test two, the spots.
Now, obviously Supercharger sites were designed
for Teslas,
which have their Charging ports
on the rear driver's side.
Tesla drivers always back into the spots
and use the plug on the right.
The Tesla charging cord is fairly short
and doesn't stretch,
and the Mach-E's port is
on the front driver's side.
So that means I have to pull in
like so.
This causes a problem.
See, this charger belongs to this Tesla
in this spot.
This one belongs to this spot,
but I had to park here to use it.
That means that middle spot
can't be used at all.
Same deal here.
If I park here, I need to use this charger.
So this charger is useless.
I'm effectively hogging two chargers.
It was a problem when this white Tesla next
to me couldn't charge.
And, there's a line.
Somebody else is waiting to charge right now.
Ford's next generation of EVs will have
that NACS port.
So I asked Ford's CEO, Jim Farley
if the company would consider moving
the port location.
- [Jim] We are committing to the standard,
not just an adapter.
We really like the Supercharger solution
and Tesla solution technically.
And that would obviously provoke the question of,
"Where do we physically put the port?"
- [Joanna] The good news is
that Tesla's V4 charging stations
already have longer cables.
There's another issue I encountered.
Not every Supercharger is compatible
with non-Teslas.
Lemme check the car
and it says," Charging station fault
See manual".
Good times.
Only V3 and newer Superchargers
that have been updated
with the right software will work.
The most straightforward way to navigate
to these supported chargers
while in the car would be using
Ford's Charge Assist dashboard app.
Except the app is slow and buggy.
We are at this location right now,
but it says we are 15 miles away.
When I asked Farley about Ford's lagging software,
he said
- [Jim] There are certain things
like charging, where we have
to do really well ourselves.
We have to do better.
- [Joanna] Until then, your best bet is
to use Tesla's smartphone app
to find Ford supported Superchargers
and then punch in the address to Google
or Apple Maps in the car.
Test three, the speed.
When I charged my Mach-E,
which has an extended range battery option,
from 20% to 80% at an EVgo,
it took 43 and a half minutes.
It cost $39 and 27 cents.
At a Tesla Supercharger,
it took 36 minutes and cost $25 and 20 cents.
Well, it's not an apples to apples comparison
in terms of charge time.
Charging a Tesla Model Y long range
from 20% to 80%,
took 32 minutes and cost $19 and 20 cents.
Yes, rates are higher
to charge a non-Tesla at a Supercharger.
If you wanna get the same price as Tesla owners,
you need to pay Tesla $13 a month
for a Supercharger subscription.
So what did we learn from all
of this charging today?
We learned that this dongle
is a pretty good deal.
Even with the parking issues
and the inability to charge at all Superchargers-
fingers crossed.
Nope.
The speed, the breadth and ease of use
of Tesla's network is a game changer.
We're charging.
And one of my biggest worries
that Tesla owners would be pissed
about my arrival, wasn't a thing.
At least not this early.
- Nothing should make us to feel like,
"No, you are Tesla, you this and that-"
Same thing as a person.
"You are an American, I am not.
"Or you are Muslim,
"you're Christian,
you are black, you're white."
No, nothing should be matter.
- [Joanna] So yes,
one not so small dongle,
one big leap for EV Charging.
Now it's accurate.
(playful music)
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