Ford is the first of the car manufacturers who signed the fast charging partnership with Tesla to be given access to the company's NACS (North American Charging Standard) supercharger network. Others who have signed up include GM, Rivian, Toyota, Hyundai, BMW and Lexus.
Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said that Ford EV retail customers will now have access to more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across the US and Canada, more than doubling fast charging options on Ford's BlueOval Charge Network.
"This move will improve the public charging experience by giving our customers even more choice and is a vital part of our growth as an EV brand," he added.
"I would like to thank Elon [Musk] and the Tesla team for their close collaboration and Tesla’s leadership to help change the lives of so many EV customers through improved access to charging.”
According to a Cox Automotive Consumer Sentiment Study, lack of charging stations is the second largest barrier after price when it comes to purchasing an electric vehicle. As EV prices come down, Ford says improving access to reliable fast charging is critical to help more customers confidently choose an EV.
Ford is making the Fast Charging Adapter available to drivers of its EVs at no cost to new and existing customers enrolled in the BlueOval Charge Network through June 30, 2024. The adapter is required to charge at upgraded Tesla Superchargers.
Retail customers will be eligible to receive a complimentary adapter if ordered by June 30, 2024. Future Ford EV customers can purchase the adapter from Ford for US$230 (including estimated tax and shipping).
Ford Pro commercial customers will be contacted this Spring by mail at the address registered with Ford Pro or via their Ford Pro account manager to order an adapter.
The BlueOval Charge Network provides one seamless stored payment account through the FordPass App, or Charge Assist App (soon to be "Public Charge") in the vehicle’s touchscreen, which eliminates the need for onsite credit card use. Once owners have created an account and activated Plug & Charge, Tesla Superchargers will support Plug & Charge with Ford EVs. This means customers simply have to plug in and charging will automatically start with charges managed through FordPass.
In the future, Ford will begin offering next-generation electric vehicles with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector built-in, eliminating the need for an adapter to access Tesla Superchargers.
