Ford has made the interesting decision to support Tesla’s Supercharger network in a move to boost the number of locations its customers have to recharge during long trips. A move that Musk has been waiting for other manufacturers to jump on due to how large Tesla’s network is (over 12,000 Superchargers throughout the US) and the efficiency of its technology.
The new change will be happening early next year once both companies have paved the way for both hardware and software required to make it all happen. Ford owners will be able to manage everything using Ford’s app and the vehicles will remain on Ford software as well. So there will be no changes needed by owners to make it work, outside of buying an adapter (for some).
What’s nice is that this will affect all Ford EV owners and not just future sales. So if you already bought into a Ford EV, you too will be included in this new partnership. Massively opening the number of locations you will be able to charge your vehicle.
As for the adapter, it likely won’t be available till later this year or even the start of next. It sounds like it will cost quite a bit to buy into the adapter (hundreds of dollars), but apparently this will only affect the current Ford models. Ford plans to start integrating Tesla’s plug into its future generation models within a few years if all works out. Allowing its customers (of these future models) to be able to charge at one of Tesla’s Supercharger locations without using an adapter.
If all works out, this will likely prove to be a huge move against other manufacturers that will force them to step up their game somehow. While allowing Tesla and Ford to share the top two positions in the EV market with a strong gap between them and everyone else.
