Tesla Superchargers: GM, Ford, Rivian, and other EV brands with access

by with No Comment Tech

Rivian SUV charging at a Tesla Supercharger.

Image Credits: Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe / Getty Images

Eighteen months ago, Ford triggered a transformation when the U.S. automaker locked in a deal to give owners of its EVs access to the Tesla Supercharger network. 

In a stunning shift, automaker after automaker — from GM and Hyundai to Rivian and Mercedes — followed suit. By the end of 2023, nearly every major automaker had agreed to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) and promised EV owners that adapters would soon be on their way.

Most non-Tesla customers are still waiting. However, GM’s recent announcement may provide an electric lining of optimism.

EV owners of GM vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Cadillac Lyriq will now officially have access to Tesla’s Superchargers. All GM EV owners need to do is purchase, and wait for, the GM-approved adapters that will allow their cars to charge on Tesla’s ports. 

More may soon follow. TechCrunch is tracking which brands have access to the Tesla Supercharging Network and will be updating this list.

The shift to the Tesla EV charging standard

In November 2022, Tesla shared its EV charging connector design in an effort to encourage network operators and automakers to adopt the technology and help make it the new standard in North America. At the time, every other automaker was using the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) in North America. 

Mass adoption seemed unlikely at the time even though Tesla’s charging network was considered far superior thanks to its robust and user-friendly design and the ease of paying for the EV juice.

Six months later, Ford became the first to announce it would work with Tesla in a deal that would give its customers access to more than 12,000 Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. But it wasn’t just about giving Ford EV owners access to a special adapter. Ford also committed to integrating its future EVs with NACS ports instead of CCS. 

Rivian, GM, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Volkwagen, Porsche, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, and Stellantis followed. 

Tesla charging FAQs

In the U.S. today, there are 36,499 NACS ports available publicly (although some of those might be from other EV charging companies that have adapted Tesla’s standard), compared to around 16,925 CCS ports. That’s despite federal dollars that have gone explicitly to the buildout of CCS chargers. 

For EV owners stuck with a CCS port, they’ll have to hold out for manufacturer-approved adapters. While there are some third-party adapters that claim to be compliant with certain safety and performance standards, like Lectron’s Vortex Plug for $199, Tesla’s website says such adapters are prohibited.

A GM spokesperson told TechCrunch its adapters have been specifically designed to protect GM EV batteries while charging and that its vehicle warranty doesn’t cover damage to vehicle parts resulting from the use of non-GM approved adapters. 

In late August, Tesla posted on X that it had ramped up production of adapters. That statement, combined with GM’s announcement, could mean that even more non-Tesla EVs will be pulling up to Supercharger stations soon. They’ll all have to download the Tesla app so they can pay for charging. 

Tesla supercharging access checklist

Ford

Certain Ford customers officially gained access to Tesla Superchargers in February, but ongoing supply constraints have delayed the delivery of free fast-charging adapters for most customers (although Ford says the delays have affected “some” customers). 

Current owners of the Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning who have yet to order their adapter can do so through their Ford Pass app. The deadline to apply for a free adapter is September 30. 

General Motors 

As of September 2024, GM has finally updated the software on its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs so customers can use Tesla’s Superchargers. If they want access soon, they need to purchase a “GM approved” adapter through their app for $225. 

GM wouldn’t say how long shipping would take. A GM spokesperson said the company already has an inventory of the adapters and that it’s worked with multiple suppliers to manufacture the approved NACS DC fast-charging adapters. 

From 2025 onward, GM’s EVs will be built with the NACS charge port. 

Kia

Kia announced in September its plans to give EV owners access to NACS chargers starting January 15, 2025. And they’re using the announcement as something of a promotion.

Kia said customers who buy a new 2024 EV6 or 2024 or 2025 EV9 SUV from September 4, 2024 will get a free adapter mailed to them in early 2025, if there’s enough supply. Existing Kia EV6, EV9, and Niro EV customers who took delivery before September 4 will have to buy an adapter from a dealer “at a later date.”

Rivian

EV startup Rivian officially got access to 15,000 Superchargers across North America on March 18, 2024. At the time, Rivian promised to begin sending adapters to customers starting in April. A Rivian spokesperson told TechCrunch the automaker began delivery this spring and continues to ship adapters as quickly as it receives them. 

As of September 2024, Rivian said that customers who order a new vehicle will have an adapter shipped to them automatically when they take delivery. Customers will receive the adapter within seven to 10 business days. The EV-maker also promised that those who already own a Rivian and are still awaiting an adapter will receive one at no cost by the end of January 2025.

TechCrunch will update the list as automakers gain official access.

Tesla Superchargers: GM, Ford, Rivian and other EV brands with access

by with No Comment Tech

Image Credits: Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe / Getty Images

Eighteen months ago, Ford triggered a transformation when the U.S. automaker locked in a deal to give owners of its EVs access to the Tesla Supercharger network. 

In a stunning shift, automaker after automaker — from GM and Hyundai to Rivian and Mercedes — followed suit. By the end of 2023, nearly every major automaker had agreed to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) and promised EV owners that adapters would soon be on their way.

Most non-Tesla customers are still waiting. However, GM’s announcement earlier this week may provide an electric lining of optimism.

EV owners of GM vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Cadillac Lyriq will now officially have access to Tesla’s Superchargers. All GM EV owners need to do is purchase, and wait for, the GM-approved adapters that will allow their cars to charge on Tesla’s ports. 

More may soon follow. TechCrunch is tracking which brands have access to the Tesla Supercharging Network and will be updating this list.

The shift to the Tesla EV charging standard

In November 2022, Tesla shared its EV charging connector design in an effort to encourage network operators and automakers to adopt the technology and help make it the new standard in North America. At the time, every other automaker was using the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) in North America. 

Mass adoption seemed unlikely at the time even though Tesla’s charging network was considered far superior thanks to its robust and user-friendly design and the ease of paying for the EV juice.

Six months later, Ford became the first to announce it would work with Tesla in a deal that would give its customers access to more than 12,000 Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. But it wasn’t just about giving Ford EV owners access to a special adapter. Ford also committed to integrating its future EVs with NACS ports instead of CCS. 

Rivian, GM, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Volkwagen, Porsche, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, and Stellantis followed. 

Tesla charging FAQs

In the U.S. today, there are 36,499 NACS ports available publicly (although some of those might be from other EV charging companies that have adapted Tesla’s standard), compared to around 16,925 CCS ports. That’s despite federal dollars that have gone explicitly to the buildout of CCS chargers. 

For EV owners stuck with a CCS port, they’ll have to hold out for manufacturer-approved adapters. While there are some third-party adapters that claim to be compliant with certain safety and performance standards, like Lectron’s Vortex Plug for $199, Tesla’s website says such adapters are prohibited.

A GM spokesperson told TechCrunch its adapters have been specifically designed to protect GM EV batteries while charging and that its vehicle warranty doesn’t cover damage to vehicle parts resulting from the use of non-GM approved adapters. 

In late August, Tesla posted on X that it had ramped up production of adapters. That statement, combined with GM’s announcement, could mean that even more non-Tesla EVs will be pulling up to Supercharger stations soon. They’ll all have to download the Tesla app so they can pay for charging. 

Tesla supercharging access checklist

General Motors 

As of September 2024, GM has finally updated the software on its Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs so customers can use Tesla’s Superchargers. If they want access soon, they need to purchase a “GM approved” adapter through their app for $225. 

GM wouldn’t say how long shipping would take. A GM spokesperson said the company already has an inventory of the adapters and that it’s worked with multiple suppliers to manufacture the approved NACS DC fast-charging adapters. 

From 2025 onward, GM’s EVs will be built with the NACS charge port. 

Ford

Certain Ford customers officially gained access to Tesla Superchargers in February, but ongoing supply constraints have delayed the delivery of free fast-charging adapters for most customers (although Ford says the delays have affected “some” customers). 

Current owners of the Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning who have yet to order their adapter can do so through their Ford Pass app. The deadline to apply for a free adapter is September 30. 

Rivian

EV startup Rivian officially got access to 15,000 Superchargers across North America on March 18, 2024. At the time, Rivian promised to begin sending adapters to customers starting in April. A Rivian spokesperson told TechCrunch the automaker began delivery this spring and continues to ship adapters as quickly as it receives them. 

TechCrunch will update the list as automakers gain official access.

Joby-Aircraft-Dubai

Uber hits a profit milestone, Ford builds an EV skunksworks and Fisker fumbles

by with No Comment Tech

Joby-Aircraft-Dubai

Image Credits: Joby

TechCrunch Mobility is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here — just click TechCrunch Mobility — to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free.

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.

This week was a busy one with Rivian officially announcing the reveal date for its next-gen EV, a Waymo robotaxi striking a bicyclist (oh and one of its robotaxis was vandalized and burned late Saturday night!), Arrival trying to sell off its U.K. assets, plus a few scoops on e-motorcycle startup Cake, Ford and Fisker. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so come along for a ride.

Oh, but first, a bit of late-breaking news over the weekend.

Joby Aviation, a company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, announced Sunday an agreement with Dubai regulators to launch air taxi services there by early 2026. Joby, a startup that went public in 2021 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, said it’s targeting initial operations as early as 2025.

It’s worth noting that under the deal, Joby has exclusive air taxi rights in Dubai for six years and some financial “mechanisms”; Joby didn’t provide further details. Joby has also signed an agreement with Skyports, a company that will design, build and operate four initial vertiport sites across Dubai.

Let’s go!

A little bird

blinky cat bird green

We’ve had many little birds talking to us about Fisker, the EV startup that went public in 2020 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company. Those conversations combined with a review of internal documents, a number of lawsuits and an investigation by federal regulators came together in a riveting and troubling story by Sean O’Kane.

What did O’Kane find? Fisker Ocean SUV customers have reported more than 100 separate loss-of-power incidents as well as myriad other problems, including sudden loss of braking power, problematic key fobs causing them to get locked inside or outside of the vehicle, seat sensors that don’t detect the driver’s presence and the SUV’s front hood suddenly flying up at high speeds.

Customers also complained about the service department. After our story was published, another little bird told us that Fisker’s global service director was recently let go.

Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at [email protected] or Sean O’Kane [email protected]. If you prefer to remain anonymous, click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop (instructions here) and various encrypted messaging apps.

Deal of the week

money the station

India is one of the largest two-wheeler markets in the world. And a whole new crop of startups — like startup River — are popping up on the scene thanks to demand for zero-emission vehicles.

River recently raised $40 million in a Series B funding round led by Japan’s Yamaha Motor. Existing investors Al-Futtaim Automotive, Lowercarbon Capital, Toyota Ventures, Trucks VC and Maniv Mobility also participated.

The startup is facing a competitive market as many companies are vying for a piece of the EV pie. River is betting that it will win over Indian customers with Indie, a utility lifestyle-focused product that has been described as an “SUV” two-wheeler.

Other deals that got my attention …

Elroy Air, a South San Francisco-based startup developing autonomous cargo drones, raised $48.9 million, according to a regulatory filing.

Guided Energy, a French startup that raised $5.2 million from Sequoia Capital and Dynamo Ventures at the end of 2023, is building a software tool that will help EV fleet operators with charge management and dispatch.

Oto, an Indian startup that built a financing software platform for two-wheeled EVs, raised $10 million in a round led by GMO Venture Partners.

Starship Technologies, a delivery robotics startup out of Estonia, raised $90 million in a funding round co-led by two previous backers: Plural and Iconical. It brings the total raised by Starship to $230 million, with previous backers including the Finnish-Japanese firm NordicNinja, the European Investment Bank, Morpheus Ventures and TDC.

Notable reads and other tidbits

Autonomous vehicles

An administrative law judge with the California Public Utilities Commission held a settlement hearing regarding the October 2 incident that left a pedestrian, who had initially been hit by a human-driven car, stuck under and then dragged by a Cruise robotaxi.

The hearing rehashed much of what Quinn Emmanuel — the law firm GM hired to investigate the October 2 incident — revealed in an independent report. But it’s worth noting that throughout the exchange, Cruise struck an extremely conciliatory tone. Craig Glidden, GM’s EVP of legal and policy who was appointed in December chief administrative officer at Cruise, was particularly ingratiating.

At one point, he seemed to agree with paying a higher fine, which under statute would be $112,000. Here’s what he said.

It was regrettable. It was a mistake and Cruise is attempting to make right with the mistake. I’m not here to quibble about whether it’s $75,000 or $112,000. We want to get the matter settled because we want to move forward and we want to advance the mission of bringing driverless cars that are safer to the public and also greater accessibility to the public to the market. So we’re more than happy to be compromised in any ways that the court would see fit or the commission would see fit to get this matter behind us.

Waymo has the attention of regulators in California after one of its robotaxis struck a bicyclist in San Francisco. The cyclist suffered minor injuries. Waymo said its robotaxi was stopped at a four-way intersection as a large truck was driving in the opposite direction. The car then moved into the intersection and collided with the cyclist who was behind the truck.

TechCrunch spoke to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Public Utilities Commission — the two agencies that control permits that allow companies like Waymo to test, deploy and commercially charge for driverless rides. The CPUC said it was “gathering information from Waymo” and the DMV told me the agency “is reviewing the incident.” We’ll see if this turns into anything more.

One more Waymo item. At around 9 p.m. Saturday evening, a crowd surrounded an empty Waymo robotaxi, began rocking it, smashing windows and ultimately lit it on fire courtesy of fireworks. FriscoLive415 shared the video on X. Pretty insane footage. A Waymo spokesperson told TechCrunch the vehicle was not transporting any riders and no injuries have been reported. The company is “working closely with local safety officials to respond to the situation.”

Electric vehicles, charging & batteries

Arrival announced that its U.K. division is entering administration, the country’s version of bankruptcy.

Electric motorcycle company Cake held talks with Harley-Davidson and other automakers in 2023 as it fought to stay alive, founder and CEO Stefan Ytterborn told TechCrunch.

Cowboy is rolling out an on-demand service program for basic maintenance, customization and repairs, delivered at the e-bike owner’s home.

Ford has been quietly working on a low-cost EV. The company created a skunkworks project two years ago that’s based in Irvine, California and led by ex-Tesla and Ford Advanced EV development boss Alan Clarke. Notably, the team includes engineers from Auto Motive Power (AMP), the EV power startup that the automaker acquired in November 2023. AMP founder Anil Paryani, who coincidentally overlapped with Clarke for about five years at Tesla, is also part of the skunkworks project.

Rivian will reveal its smaller, cheaper R2 SUV on March 7. Stay tuned!

Toyota will spend an additional $1.3 billion to prepare its Kentucky factory for production of a new three-row all-electric SUV designed for U.S. consumers.

Gig economy

Uber hit a major milestone that a few years ago I wasn’t sure would ever be met. The ride-hailing and delivery app reported a full-year profit (driven by operating income) as a public company. And it seems that profit momentum is expected to continue into the first quarter. Uber has hit an annual profit before, but it was largely due to its investments. In 2023, the company’s profits also came from its operations.

Reminder that Lyft will post its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings after markets close February 13.

People

Getaround, a company that helps vehicle owners rent out their cars, trucks and SUVs to other peers, is cutting 30% of its North American workforce as part of a restructuring. Getaround cut 10% of its staff in February 2023.

General Motors hired battery expert and ex-Tesla executive Kurt Kelty to be the automaker’s new vice president of batteries — a brand new role for the company.

This week’s wheels

Image Credits: Taylor Hatmaker

This week’s wheels might get the attention of e-bike followers. Editor Taylor Hatmaker writes this about her “zombie” VanMoof.

My VanMoof e-bike isn’t dead, but it’s not quite alive either. I bought an X3 from VanMoof after I reviewed the bike for TechCrunch back in 2021 and came away wildly impressed. The bike was excellent; but it was also a personal revelation, empowering me — a lazy fair-weather cyclist — to bike around my city (Portland, Oregon) when I might otherwise use a car.

When I bought my VanMoof, on sale at the time, I knew it was a risk. I spent the money, knowing that in the worst-case scenario my bike could turn into a $2,000 brick. That scenario arrived last year when VanMoof declared bankruptcy.

Lavoie bought the company’s remains late last summer, providing a glimmer of hope that the notoriously fickle bikes full of bespoke components will still be serviceable in the future. In the meantime, VanMoof owners like myself scrambled to download apps like Bikey, made by Cowboy, to salvage the digital keys linking us to our bikes.

I still have a lot of affection for my 30-pound possible-future-paperweight, which I nervously power on and connect my phone to a few times a week. It’s been pouring for months — not the kind of weather I’ll bike in any more — but I hope when spring rolls around my X3 shows some fresh signs of life too.

tesla-ford-charger

Ford's adventure with Tesla superchargers officially begins

by with No Comment Tech

tesla-ford-charger

Image Credits: Ford

Owners of Ford EVs now have access to more than 15,000 Tesla superchargers across the U.S. and Canada, nine months after the two automakers struck a deal that would eventually ripple through the rest of the automotive industry.

New and existing Ford EV owners can receive a free adapter to access Tesla’s fast charging stalls, but they must be enrolled in Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network and order the adapter by June 30, 2024 at Ford.com/FastChargingAdapter. Future Ford EV customers will be able to buy the adapter for $230.

Less than a year ago, every automaker and EV charging company operating in the United States used the Combined Charging System (CCS). Tesla was the outlier with its own proprietary plugs and connectors, and network of thousands of so-called “Superchargers” located along interstates, highways and other major corridors. The charging connector in all Tesla vehicles offers AC charging and up to 1 MW DC charging. Its compact design and performance is considered superior to the Combined Charging System connectors.

Tesla made the pitch in November 2022 that automakers should adopt its charging standard instead — a move that initially appeared to have little hope of attracting the company’s rivals. Tesla shared its EV charging connector design and encouraged network operators and automakers to adopt the technology and help make it the new standard in North America. It even called it the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and argued that based on Tesla vehicle sales and the number of chargers at its branded Supercharging stations it was the most common charging standard in North America.

Six months later, Ford announced a deal to that would give owners of Ford EVs access to Tesla Superchargers. However, this agreement reached far beyond providing access to Tesla’s superchargers via an adapter. Ford is also planning to equip its next generations of EVs with Tesla’s charge port starting in 2025. Ford’s second-generation EV portfolio includes an electric truck and a three-row SUV.

Ford was soon joined by GM in adopting Tesla’s charging technology. In the months since, third-party EV charging companies and other automakers jumped on board, including Hyundai and Kia, Toyota, VW Group brands such as Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen, and finally, Stellantis.

Within nine months every major automaker selling vehicles in the United States has agreed to the Tesla charging standard, with many committing to integrate the technology within their next-generation vehicles.

Ford will provide the first test of how this adoption shakes out. Tesla owners have long enjoyed sole access to the network and newcomers may put pressure on an already popular charging network.

Ford executives were quick to note in a briefing with reporters that not every Tesla Supercharger will be accessible to Ford owners. And the automaker is taking steps to educate Ford customers how to find, access and use the superchargers with the same ease that Tesla owners are accustomed to. Ford said a future software update will allow owners to find Tesla superchargers through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — the tech that allows drivers to project their smartphones to a car’s infotainment system — as well as Ford’s built-in navigation.

The ability for Tesla owners to park and plug in without worrying about using a credit card or app to pay for power is one of the key differentiators from its competitors. Ford’s solution is for customers who are signed up for the BlueOval Charge Network to pay through their FordPass App or a Charge Assist App in the vehicle’s touchscreen. 

Rivian getting charged

Rivian targets gas-powered Ford and Toyota trucks and SUVs with $5,000 'electric upgrade' discount

by with No Comment Tech

Rivian getting charged

Image Credits: Rivian

Rivian is offering discounts of up to $5,000 on its EVs — and a year of free charging — to customers willing to trade in their gas-powered trucks and SUVs. The company is offering discounts on three R1T pickup truck trims and one R1S SUV model.

The promotion, which kicked off on April 22, is aimed directly at some of the bestselling and most ubiquitous gas-powered trucks and SUVs on the market today, including the Ford F-150, Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Wrangler. Rivian is even going after German automakers Audi and BMW. The price cut varies between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the model.

The company promoted the “electric upgrade offer” on Monday in an email to prospective customers and also via posts on social media. The discounts come as demand for premium and luxury EVs has softened across the industry, prompting automakers such as Ford, Lucid and Tesla to reduce prices.

Faced with uncertain demand, many legacy automakers have also pared down plans to shift their portfolios to only battery-electric vehicles. Gas-powered vehicles and hybrids are back en vogue thanks to the steady sales and profit margins they provide.

Rivian, which is expected to produce only about 57,000 EVs in 2024, won’t unseat the bestselling trucks on the market. But the promotions could help it win over a new batch of customers.

Only owners of specific gas-powered vehicles will be eligible for the trade-in. The vehicles include 2018 or newer Ford F-150 trucks, Ford Explorer, and the Ford Expedition and Bronco, with the exception of the Bronco Sport. Other eligible trade-ins are 2018 or newer Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator. The Audi Q5, Q7 and Q8, as well as the BMW X3, X5 and X7 also qualify.

The deal applies to customers who want to lease or buy a vehicle, although they must take delivery by June 30. Rivian is also throwing in a year of free charging at any Rivian-owned charger in the United States as an added sweetener. Rivian fast-chargers, which are branded the Rivian Adventure Network, are not nearly as plentiful as the Tesla Supercharging network. The company has installed 433 fast-chargers at 71 stations, including in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and along the East Coast. Rivian has also installed 482 Level 2 chargers (called Waypoints) at 180 live sites throughout the United States.