Ford officially launches Tesla Supercharger access, free adapter now available to order
Last May, Ford was the first automaker to announce its plans to adopt Tesla’s charge connector, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). In addition to adding Tesla’s connector to its own EVs in 2025, Ford also said it would make a free adapter available to existing Ford EV owners.
Starting today, Ford says that eligible Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners can request their free CCS to NACS adapter. The first deliveries are slated to begin shipping in March. Ford is also starting to roll out a software update that unlocks Tesla Supercharger support for Mach-E and Lightning vehicles.
“Today, Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E retail customers are the first of any non-Tesla automaker to gain access to Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada,” Ford says.
Free Ford CCS to NACS adapter now available to order
Ford is making the CCS to NACS adapter for free from today, February 29 through June 30 for new and existing Ford EV drivers. After this window passes, the adapter will be available for purchase at a retail price of $230.
To request an adapter, Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning drivers need to head to Ford’s website. Here, you can log in with your Ford account to confirm and validate your VIN to request your adapter. You’ll also need to be enrolled in the BlueOval Charge Network, which is free to join.
Ford’s adapter will support fast charging at Tesla V3 Superchargers. The adapter will not work at Tesla V2 Superchargers. Ford also says that some V3 Superchargers will not be available to Ford owners, as Tesla is keeping certain locations exclusive to Tesla drivers.
The adapter also will not work at Tesla Destination Chargers, which are much slower chargers typically found at hotels, parking garages, and more. More details on Ford’s website.
Still, Ford says the adapter will give drivers access to “more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada.” The adapter supports charging at up to the full 150kW fast charging speed of the Mach-E and Lightning.
Here are some of the tech specs of the adapter:
- Rated Voltage: 1000VDC
- Rated Current: 300A @ 35C and 500A Boost Current for 10 minutes
- Safety features: Interlock to prevent the NACS connector from being unplugged and built-in temperature sensors.
Plug & Charge support
Tesla Superchargers will also support Plug & Charge for Ford EVs. This means Mach-E and Lightning drivers can simply plug their car in, and it will automatically begin to charge. If you’re not enrolled in Plug & Charge, you can plug in at a Tesla Supercharger, then manually activate the charging session via the FordPass app or via your in-car screen. Notably, the Tesla app is not required at all in the process.
As you can see in the video below, you will be able to located supported Tesla Superchargers using the FordPass app or with the Charge Assist App on your iPhone or Android device. In the future, Tesla Superchargers will be coming to:
- Apple Maps EV Routing (with Apple CarPlay)
- Google Maps EV Routing (with Android Auto)
- Ford Connected Built-In Navigation
In addition to opening reservations for the Fast Charging Adapter today, Ford is also starting to roll out a software update to Mach-E and Lightning cars. This update enables support for charging at Tesla Superchargers. In typical Ford fashion, the update will roll out gradually across North America.
In total, Ford says it operates the “largest public charging network” in North America through its BlueOval Charge Network. This consists of over 126,000 total chargers across over 35,000 locations. There are over 28,000 DC fast chargers included in the BlueOval Charge Network at more than 7,500 locations.
Find the full press release and a couple of videos from Ford below. More hands-on and real-world testing coverage to follow from the Electrek team.
Ford Customers Can Now Charge on Tesla Superchargers in U.S. and Canada
DEARBORN, Mich., February 29, 2024 – Today, Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E retail customers are the first of any non-Tesla automaker to gain access to Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada.
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, improving access to reliable fast charging is critical to help more customers confidently choose an EV.
The 15,000+ available Tesla Superchargers more than double customer access to reliable DC fast charging on the BlueOval Charge Network.
Ford is saying thank you to its electric vehicle customers by making the Fast Charging Adapter (NACS) available 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 Superchargers. Ford retail EV customers are the first in the industry to have the opportunity to order the Fast Charging Adapter (NACS), and can reserve by visiting Ford.com/FastChargingAdapter.
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 $230.00 (including estimated tax and shipping).
The BlueOval Charge Network provides one seamless stored payment account through the FordPass App, or Charge Assist App 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.
Ordering an Adapter
Starting Feb. 29, 2024, F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E retail customers can reserve an adapter via ford.com/FastChargingAdapter.
- From the site, log in to Ford Pass. The Fast Charging Adapter Reservation will be the first tile within the Connected Service Home Page.
- Click on the ‘Reserve your adapter at no cost’ button to start the ordering process
- Your shipping information will be pre-populated based on your Ford Pass account, just verify that all the information is accurate, update if needed, and click ‘Reserve’.
- And that’s it! From there you will get a confirmation screen with helpful information on a forthcoming automated over-the-air software update and a link to our FAQ Hub.
- Additionally, you will receive confirmation email with a personalized link to check the status of your reservation.
Customers who are not yet enrolled in BlueOval Charge Network will be prompted to enroll before ordering their fast charging adapter.
Ford Pro customers will be contacted this Spring via mail or a Ford Pro account manager with instructions on how to order.
Locating and Activating Upgraded Superchargers
Ford customers can use the FordPass App on in-vehicle Charge Assist App to locate chargers, including new Tesla Superchargers, just like before. Integration to routing will come with a future over-the-air update.
In the future, Tesla Superchargers will be coming to:
- Apple Maps EV Routing (with Apple CarPlay)
- Google Maps EV Routing (with Android Auto)
- Ford Connected Built-In Navigation
BlueOval Charge Network
The BlueOval Charge Network, North America’s largest public charging network offered by an automaker, is a “network of networks” that provides Ford EV drivers with easy access to a variety of charging providers without the need for multiple apps and memberships.
With the addition of Tesla Superchargers, the BlueOvalTM Charge Network now has more than 126,000 chargers, including more than 28,000 fast chargers, with more being added every week.
The network provides one seamless stored payment account through the FordPass App, or Charge Assist (soon to be “Public Charge” App) in the vehicle’s touchscreen, that eliminates the need for onsite credit card use. Once owners have created an account, they can then select, activate, and pay for charging by using the FordPass App’s “View Chargers” functionality.
Ford customers can enjoy trip planning, routing and charging payment through FordPass Power My Trip on both the FordPass App and via Charge Assist (soon to be ‘Public Charge’ App) on the in-vehicle touchscreen (Superchargers route planning coming in the future).
Commercial Charging
While commercial customers primarily charge at home or at work, when they need to charge on the road at a public charger, the Fast Charging Adapter (NACS) will give them access to more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada on the BlueOvalTM Charge Network. In addition to public charging, Ford Pro offers multiple solutions to fit the charging needs of businesses with EVs in their fleets.
Charging at Home
More than 80 percent of Ford EV drivers currently charge at home, creating an ideal ownership experience where most customers can wake up to a fully charged vehicle every morning. Ford’s home and commercial depot charging offerings deliver peace of mind to EV drivers, who also have access to fast-growing public charging as needed.
Together with home or depot charging solutions, whether on a daily commute or a longer road trip, Ford EV customers are covered.
Optimizing the Charging Experience
- Precondition the vehicle while charging whenever possible to optimize battery range in hot or cold environments.
- Set Departure Times in the FordPassTM App or in-vehicle screen to automatically heat or cool your vehicle’s interior for when you need it, drawing energy while plugged in to help save your battery for the road and warm the battery when it is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Turn cabin heat off while charging when possible and use heated seats and steering wheel (when equipped; not available on E-Transit) to reduce HVAC energy.
- If snowing, remove all ice and snow from the vehicle before driving; try to keep driving speeds moderate and ensure tires are properly inflated.
- When searching for chargers in the FordPass App, you can adjust your filters to make sure you’re searching for the charge station type that makes the most sense for your current need, whether it’s a Level 2 AC charger or Level 3 DC fast charger.
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Environment
Tesla’s Robotaxis are officially powered by human drivers as it launches ride-hailing in Bay Area
Tesla’s ‘Robotaxi’ is now blatantly operated by human drivers as the automaker launches a ride-hailing service in the Bay Area through its ‘Robotaxi’ app.
When Tesla launched its ‘Robotaxi’ service in Austin, we noted how it was just for optics and the fact that it still uses “safety monitor” in the front passenger seats makes it a “supervised” system and therefore, not a level 4 autonomous driving system.
It’s basically Tesla’s consumer ‘Supervised Full Self-Driving’ (FSD), but with the supervisor moved from the driver’s seat to the front passenger seat.
The reason Tesla was able to do that is that Texas law allows it, and it looks better for them than having a driver in the driver’s seat. Instead, the “safety monitor” has access to a kill switch that can stop the car, something Tesla is not publicizing.
Over the last few weeks, Tesla has been teasing the expansion of its Robotaxi in California despite not having secured any of the permits required for an automated driving system in the state.
Now, Tesla has expanded its service area in the “Robotaxi” app to the Bay Area, but even though it’s in the “Robotaxi” app, it is only calling it a “ride-hailing service” because there’s a driver in the driver’s seat of each car:
Tesla fans have applauded the automaker for covering such a large part of the Bay Area, bigger than Waymo’s coverage of the region, but to be clear, Tesla’s service right now is not comparable to Waymo’s in the Bay Area. It’s only equivalent to Uber.
In fact, it’s the exact same service as an Uber driver who owns a Tesla with Supervised FSD in the Bay Area.
Politico reported that Tesla still hasn’t applied for any of the required permits to operate autonomous vehicles in California, despite CEO Elon Musk claiming just last week that Tesla was waiting for regulators.
Documents from the California DMV and Public Utilities Commission revealed that the state agencies were concerned by comments from Tesla employees regarding the automaker’s imminent launch of its Robotaxi service in the state, despite not having obtained any authorization.
Tesla’s regulatory counsel quickly intervened to explain to the state that there’s no such plan and Tesla only plans to launch a ride-hailing service for “employees, friends and family, and select members of the public”, which is apparently what was launched today.
The automaker is not looking for “vehicle operators” in 9 other US cities to launch the same ride-hailing service, which it operates under its ‘Robotaxi’ app.
Electrek’s Take
This is so blatantly misleading. Tesla is trying to make the public think it is a leader in autonomous driving by launching its ‘Robotaxi’ service in cities while being powered by human drivers.
It’s FSD in consumer vehicles. That’s all it is, and we know that it gets about 500 miles between critical disengagement, based on the best crowdsourced data.
By not applying for an autonomous driving permit, Tesla is making sure that it doesn’t have to report any data to the state.
Why doesn’t Tesla want to do that? The only thing that makes sense is that it is not ready for it, and the data wouldn’t look good.
This is all for show because Waymo is starting to rapidly expand and making Elon Musk look bad after he has been claiming for years that Tesla is the leader in autonomous driving with no close second.
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Hyundai said the new trade agreement was a “historic achievement” between the US and South Korea. Although Hyundai Motor, including Kia and Genesis, is getting some relief with lower US tariffs, it’s still expected to face billions in extra costs this year.
Hyundai and Kia score US tariff relief
After threatening tariffs as high as 25% on imported vehicles from South Korea, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US will instead enact a 15% tariff.
Hyundai’s executive chairman, Chung Euisun, who was in Washington for the final negotiations, called the agreement a “historic win.” The tariff rate is the same 15% on imports from Japan, putting Hyundai and Kia on a level playing field.
Although it’s better than 25%, the added tariffs are expected to cost Hyundai an additional $5 billion this year. The lower rate will still save Hyundai over $3 billion in costs, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Joanna Chen.
Even before the $7,500 IRA tax credit for electric vehicles and other Biden-era policies were enacted, Hyundai was planning to grow its market share in the US, its largest market.
The Korean auto giant invested $7.6 billion to build its new EV manufacturing plant in Georgia, directly creating 8,500 jobs.
Hyundai and SK On’s $5 billion battery plant in the state will employ an additional 3,500 workers. It’s the largest economic project in state history.
According to a study by the Center for Automotive Research, Hyundai’s new EV plant will help create over 58,200 new jobs in the area.
Earlier this year, Hyundai announced a record $21 billion investment to expand production in the US over the next three years. The investment will directly create around 14,000 jobs while ramping up the output of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles in the US. By 2028, Hyundai expects to generate over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the US.
Hyundai Motor, including Kia and Genesis, saw its market share in the US rise to about 11% in the first half of 2025, up from 10.5% the previous year.
Since Hyundai builds the new IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, its first three-row SUV in Georgia, both still qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. However, that’s set to expire at the end of September.
After cutting lease prices again, the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is now one of the most affordable EVs on the market, starting at just $179 per month.
The 2026 IONIQ 9 (check out our review of it) is available with leases starting at just $419 per month. To ease the transition, Hyundai is including a complimentary ChargePoint L2 home charger with the purchase or lease of any new 2025 IONIQ 5 or 2026 IONIQ 9.
Looking to test one out for yourself? You can use the links below to find 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9 models in your area.
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After kicking off production last month, Zero Motorcycles has now officially begun deliveries of its highly anticipated X Line models. The first wave of customers is taking delivery of their new Zero XE and Zero XB electric motorcycles, marking a major milestone for the company’s push into more affordable off-road and adventure EVs.
“The delivery of the first X Line bikes is a major milestone for Zero and for the future of off-road EV performance,” said Zero CEO Sam Paschel. “It’s the start of a new chapter in how adventure riding is experienced. With the XB and XE, we’re making electric motorcycles more accessible and approachable for riders everywhere.”
Zero first unveiled the X Line late last year, announcing the two-bike lineup aimed at adventure and trail riders. The XE and XB models were designed to be affordable new platforms, not just budget versions of Zero’s existing on-road bikes.
Both bikes are designed to be street-legal in Europe, but are intended only for off-road riding in the US.
The two models were developed alongside Zero’s Chinese partner Zongshen to offer an approachable gateway to electric two-wheeled adventure, with lightweight frames, swappable battery packs, and plenty of power for getting off the beaten path. They’re also the most affordable models Zero has ever produced: the smaller Zero XB starts at just $4,395 in the U.S., while the larger, more powerful Zero XE comes in at $6,495.
At those price points, the X Line represents a big shift for Zero, which has historically focused on premium electric motorcycles priced well into five-figure territory.
Deliveries began this week and will continue to roll out over the coming months. Buyers who place new reservations starting today can expect deliveries to begin in Fall 2025, according to the company.
The X Line is a strategic move for Zero as it looks to expand its rider base beyond urban commuters and high-end sport bike enthusiasts. With more riders, especially younger and off-road focused customers, showing interest in electric motorcycles, the XE and XB could be just the right mix of capability and price to bring new blood into the EV moto world.
Electrek’s Take
This is a big moment for Zero. After more than a decade building high-performance electric motorcycles for the street, the company is finally breaking into the more affordable end of the market, and doing it with purpose-built off-road machines, not watered-down street bikes.
The fact that the XB starts at under $4,500 is kind of wild, especially considering Zero’s bikes have historically hovered around the $15K mark. Sure, these aren’t full-size dual-sport monsters, but they’re not toys either. And yes, there are questions about how much of these bikes are actually Zero, and how much are basically Sur Rons built by Zongshen. But with decent range, real off-road chops, and swappable batteries, if these bikes can deliver a quality ride then it might not really matter. The new models have the potential to carve out a whole new corner of the market for Zero, one that’s long been dominated by DIY conversions or budget Asian imports.
If Zero can ramp up deliveries smoothly and keep the quality high, the X Line might be the company’s most important launch yet. And judging by the response so far, there’s real demand for affordable, capable electric trail bikes. Now they just need to homologate them for the US market.
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