Ford and Rivian Gain Access to Tesla Superchargers
Range anxiety has been a major hurdle for electric vehicle buyers for years. Now, that barrier is shrinking significantly. Ford and Rivian owners can officially plug their vehicles into the sprawling Tesla Supercharger network. This shift relies on the North American Charging Standard (NACS), a move that is fundamentally changing how drivers power up on the road.
The Shift to the North American Charging Standard (NACS)
For years, the electric vehicle market in North America was split into two different charging camps. Tesla built a massive, reliable network using its own proprietary plug. Nearly every other automaker used the Combined Charging System (CCS). The CCS plug is noticeably larger, heavier, and often harder to maneuver than the slim Tesla connector.
In late 2022, Tesla made a strategic decision to open-source its charging connector design. They rebranded it as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). The automotive industry took notice. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) quickly moved to standardize the NACS plug, officially designating it as SAE J3400. This standardization meant that any manufacturer could adopt the plug without being locked into a closed, proprietary system controlled solely by Tesla.
Ford was the first domino to fall in May 2023, announcing it would adopt NACS. Rivian announced a similar agreement just weeks later. Soon after, General Motors, Volvo, Polestar, Hyundai, and dozens of others followed suit. This mass adoption has essentially crowned NACS as the universal charging plug for electric vehicles in the United States and Canada.
How Ford EV Owners Can Use Tesla Superchargers
Ford made history in late February 2024 when it officially gained access to the Supercharger network. Owners of the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck and the Mustang Mach-E crossover can now charge at more than 15,000 upgraded Tesla Superchargers.
Because current Ford EVs are built with CCS ports, drivers need a Fast Charging Adapter to connect to a Tesla station. Ford partnered with Tesla to manufacture these adapters. To ease the transition, Ford offered the adapter for free to any owner who reserved one by August 31, 2024. For those who missed the deadline or buy a used vehicle later, the retail price for the official adapter is $230.
Ford worked heavily on the software integration to make the charging experience smooth. Drivers do not even need to download the Tesla app. Using a feature called “Plug and Charge,” owners link a credit card to their FordPass account. When they pull up to a compatible Tesla Supercharger and plug in the adapter, the station communicates directly with the vehicle to verify the account and begin charging automatically.
Rivian Plugs Into the Supercharger Network
Rivian followed Ford closely, opening up Supercharger access for its drivers in March 2024. Owners of the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV can now tap into the same 15,000-plus fast chargers across North America.
Like Ford, Rivian is providing a free NACS DC adapter to its existing owners. The company decided to ship these adapters in batches, prioritizing owners based on their original vehicle delivery dates. This means early adopters received their hardware first.
Rivian updated its in-car navigation software and mobile app to fully integrate the Tesla network. When a driver plans a road trip in a Rivian, the navigation system will automatically route them to compatible Superchargers. The screen displays real-time pricing, the number of open stalls, and the charging speeds available at that specific location. Rivian owners also benefit from automatic billing, allowing them to pull up, plug in, and walk away while the vehicle charges.
Navigating Supercharger Compatibility
It is highly important for non-Tesla drivers to understand that not every Tesla Supercharger is available to them. The adapter only works with Tesla’s newer generation of chargers, specifically the V3 and V4 stations.
- V2 Superchargers: These older stations max out at 150 kW and do not support the communication protocols required to talk to a Ford or Rivian. They are excluded from the adapter program.
- V3 Superchargers: These are the most common fast chargers in the Tesla network. They offer up to 250 kW of power and are fully compatible with the new adapters.
- V4 Superchargers: Tesla’s newest stations feature longer cables and digital payment screens. They are specifically designed with non-Tesla vehicles in mind.
If a Ford or Rivian driver uses their brand’s native navigation system, the software automatically filters out the incompatible V2 stations. This prevents drivers from showing up at a charger they cannot use.
What This Means for the Future of EV Charging
The introduction of adapters is just a stepping stone. Starting in 2025, Ford, Rivian, and other major automakers will begin manufacturing new electric vehicles with the NACS port built directly into the car. Once the native ports are standard, drivers will no longer need to carry an adapter in their trunk.
This industry-wide shift is also forcing third-party charging networks to adapt. Companies like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint are actively retrofitting their existing charging stations to include NACS cables alongside their traditional CCS cables. Within a few years, the NACS plug will be the undeniable standard across all public charging stations, making range anxiety a thing of the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an adapter to charge my Ford or Rivian at a Tesla station? Yes. Current Ford and Rivian models have CCS charging ports. You need a NACS-to-CCS adapter to plug your vehicle into a Tesla Supercharger.
How much does the NACS adapter cost? Ford offered the adapter for free to owners who registered by August 31, 2024. The retail price for the Ford adapter is now $230. Rivian is currently offering the adapter for free to its existing owners, shipping them based on the date the vehicle was purchased.
Can I use any Tesla Supercharger? No. You can only use Tesla V3 and V4 Superchargers. Older V2 Superchargers lack the technology required to communicate with non-Tesla vehicles. The navigation apps for Ford and Rivian will automatically filter out incompatible stations.
When will cars have the NACS port built-in? Most major automakers, including Ford and Rivian, plan to integrate native NACS ports into their new electric vehicles starting in the 2025 model year. Once your car has a native port, you will not need an adapter.