Ford (NYSE:F) electric vehicle (EV) owners now have the opportunity to utilize a significant portion of Tesla’s charging infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada, albeit with a caveat – they’ll require a complimentary adapter from Ford, slated for shipment by the end of March.
In a groundbreaking move last May, Ford became the inaugural automaker to forge an agreement with Tesla, headquartered in Austin, Texas, granting access to its extensive charging network, recognized as the largest and strategically positioned network in North America.
With over 26,000 plugs and close to 2,400 Supercharger stations spanning the U.S. and Canada, Tesla’s network offers Ford owners access to approximately 15,000 fast-charging plugs strategically situated along major travel routes. However, compatibility is limited to newer Tesla plugs, excluding some older versions.
Following Ford’s lead, most other automakers have opted to join Tesla’s network and adopt the North American Charging Standard plug, favored for its compact design and user-friendly interface compared to conventional plugs found in the majority of EVs sold in both countries.
Ford anticipates that incorporating Tesla’s plugs will effectively double the accessible charging network for Ford EV owners, a significant boon considering the nearly 166,000 Ford EVs currently operational in the U.S.
Ken Williams, Director of Charging and Energy Services at Ford, highlighted the paramount importance of addressing EV owners’ charging needs, even though they primarily charge at home 80% of the time. Williams emphasized Ford’s commitment to meeting this demand.
To facilitate access, Ford is offering the necessary adapters free of charge, with owners able to reserve them via the Ford.com website from Thursday through June 30, with a limit of one adapter per vehicle.
Tesla’s network was activated on Wednesday morning, concurrent with the distribution of software enabling Ford vehicles to charge at Tesla stations. Ford intends to transition to Tesla’s charging connector with its forthcoming second-generation EVs, slated for release next year.
Customers will be responsible for paying Tesla for the electricity consumed, with pricing information available via Ford’s mobile app and various public charging apps accessible through vehicle touch screens.
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