What’s Happening
In a groundbreaking development for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Ford Motor Company announced on May 25, 2023, that they have secured an agreement with Tesla Motors. This collaboration will empower Ford’s EV customers with an unrivalled access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the United States and Canada, starting Spring 2024. This is in addition to over 10,000 DC fast-chargers already integrated into the BlueOval Charge Network.
Why It Matters
The partnership between Ford and Tesla underscores the automotive industry’s commitment to making EV adoption easier and more convenient for consumers. With the extended charging network, Ford’s EV customers, including Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit owners, will be able to leverage a Tesla-developed adapter and software integration to utilize the Superchargers. Notably, charging activation and payment will be facilitated through FordPass or Ford Pro Intelligence.
Key Points
Ford has revealed that by 2025, its next-generation electric vehicles will come equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector. This will negate the need for an adapter, granting direct access to Tesla Superchargers. The combined effort by Ford and Tesla to adopt the NACS connector will bring a seismic shift in the EV charging infrastructure, providing a superior experience to customers.
The strategic alliance between these automobile titans marks a significant step towards sustainable energy, affirming Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition towards it. Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, shared her excitement about welcoming Ford owners and other electric vehicles that adopt the NACS to Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network.
Bottom Line
The addition of more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers to the already extensive BlueOval Charge Network, which boasts over 84,000 chargers including access to over 10,000 public DC fast-chargers, will form the largest integrated fast-charge network across the U.S. and Canada. This network expansion is expected to significantly assuage charging anxiety for Ford customers.
Moreover, the automatic routing feature to the nearest charger and seamless billing via FordPass will further enhance the charging experience for Ford’s EV customers. To top it off, Ford dealers are working on adding approximately 1,800 public-facing fast-chargers and locations to the BlueOval Charge Network by early 2024, making this partnership an enormous stride in the EV charging infrastructure expansion.
