Car buyers unsure whether or not to make the switch to an EV commonly say that worries about the size of the charging infrastructure are a major factor holding them back. But Ford has begun tackling those concerns by giving its EV drivers access to thousands of Tesla Superchargers across North America, claiming it’s the first non-Tesla brand to access the stations.
Ford has opened registration for a scheme that gives owners of 2021-24 Mustang Mach-Es and F-150 Lightning pickups the freedom to charge at more than 15,000 Superchargers by using a special adapter. Existing owners – plus anyone buying a new Ford – have until June 30 to apply for the adapter free of charge; after that date it’ll still be available but it’ll cost $230.
Related: Ford And GM EVs To Gain Tesla Supercharger Access In February 2024
The adapter virtually doubles the number of fast chargers available on the BlueOval Charge Network, taking the total to 28,000 in North America, where drivers already have access to a further 98,000 slower chargers. But from next year Ford will equip its new EVs with NACS connectors, meaning only drivers of older Mach-Es and Lightnings will need the adapter.
Drivers can locate and book Superchargers the same way they would other chargers on the BlueOval network by using the FordPass app or via the the Charge Assist (soon to be renamed Public Charge) app on their EV’s touchscreen. Plug & Charge functionality means there’s no need to mess around with credit cards.
“I would like to thank Elon 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,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley.
