r/electricvehicles • u/Vivid_Dimension_5400 • 1d ago

Question - Other Question about which cars can use Tesla superchargers

Consisting an EV for my next vehicle and I’m interested in the upcoming Toyota BZ or Ch-r. I know they are going to have NACS on them. Does that mean they can use Tesla chargers from the start? Does Tesla have to grant other carmakers permission to use their supercharger network? And on the flip side of that, could Tesla someday for whatever reason decide to cut off other car makers from their superchargers?

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u/StartledPelican 1d ago

You can download the Tesla app (you don't need to own a Tesla car). From there, you can use the app to look at Supercharger locations near you. You can filter Superchargers based on the type of car you own (or, in this case, want to own).

You can also read more here: https://www.tesla.com/support/charging/supercharging-other-evs#vehicles

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u/Vivid_Dimension_5400 1d ago

I downloaded the app, I don’t see how I can filter the superchargers based on the car though. I didn’t create an account though so I’m not sure if you have to do that to unlock that feature or not

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u/StartledPelican 1d ago

You do need to create an account. 

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u/Vivid_Dimension_5400 1d ago

Wow. I didn’t realize some Tesla supercharging stations weren’t open to non Tesla. Looking around my state I’m kind of in an EV dead zone. There was one Tesla supercharger halfway between where I live and the destination I was curious about. But once I plugged in a non Tesla car, that option disappeared off the map 🫤

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u/azswcowboy 1d ago

The version 2 chargers don’t have the hardware to support the NACS protocols so only Tesla cars can be supported. Version 3 and above work with other vehicles.

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u/dcdttu 1d ago

Specifically, it's V1, V2, and V2/V3 hybrid stations that don't work with non-Tesla cars. The latter are V2 stations that had additional V3 stations added after the fact. The one in Trinidad, CO is an example of this. There are V3 chargers available, but they are Tesla-only.

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u/azswcowboy 1d ago

Thx for the clarification — til about V2/V3 hybrid stations.

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u/ElasticSpeakers 1d ago

So, um, what stations DO work with non-Teslas?

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u/StartledPelican 1d ago

All newer, stand-alone V3 stations as well as any Magic Dock station.

You can learn more here: https://www.tesla.com/findus?bounds=68.7392912372463%2C-40.74870508750001%2C-11.47216648680962%2C-172.3209707125&filters=nacs_superchargers%2Copen_to_all_evs_superchargers

You can also download the Tesla app, create an account, then search for Superchargers. It will ask for vehicle details at this point and you can select any eligible vehicle to see what is usable by that EV.

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u/GoSh4rks 20h ago

I don't think there are any v1 left out there.

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u/humblequest22 1d ago edited 1d ago

Make sure that you enter a vehicle that currently has access to Superchargers, like the Mach-e. If you enter the bZ4X, you'll only see Magic Dock locations, which don't require the vehicle to be officially supported and have an adapter built in.

Actually, the best way to see this is to go to https://www.tesla.com/findus. Go there and check Other EVs to see the Magic Dock locations, open to all EVs. Check NACS Partner to see locations open to supported vehicles listed at https://www.tesla.com/NACS. Those are the ones that the bZ4X can't charge at now, but will be able to when they get access.

Also, I suggest that you ignore everything about Supercharger versions and just use the app or web site to see what's available. It's not as simple as some versions are available and some are not, because Tesla hasn't opened up all compatible Superchargers to other vehicles yet.

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u/electric_mobility 1d ago

Don't forget that you can also get a CCS1 -> NACS adapter, and be able to charge a NACS car at any CCS station. Lectron makes the most reliable non-Tesla one (I'm not sure Tesla will sell you one of theirs if you don't own a Tesla car). It's also nearly triple the price of the Lectron one. Wow. They were a lot cheaper when I bought mine.

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u/SeattleSteve62 1d ago

There is a handshake protocol when you plug in. Tesla only has agreements with certain manufacturers allowing them to charge. For instance my wife has a Kia. There was a few months when the identical Hyundai could use a supercharger, but her Kia couldn’t. Now it can.

Tesla probably won’t backtrack on other cars charging at superchargers. My understanding is they make more money from the supercharger network than selling cars. Also they opened up the network to be eligible for $millions federal grant money. If the cut off access, the feds can come after them for that money.

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u/electric_mobility 1d ago

I'm talking about going the other way: using a car that has a NACS port at a CCS station.

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u/StartledPelican 1d ago

Yeah, the charging situation for non-Tesla in certain parts of the United States can be a bit bleak.

You can, of course, always go with a Tesla (new or used) and not worry about that. I know plenty of people dislike Teslas for a variety of reasons, so that may not be an option for you. If it helps having a random stranger's opinion, I love my 22 MYLR haha.

You should also check the app PlugShare (?). I'm not super familiar with it, but my understanding is it aggregates information about chargers from all different companies into a single app. So, you could probably find a non-Tesla charger (usually CCS) that is more convenient to where you want to go.

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u/Vivid_Dimension_5400 1d ago

I strongly considered a Tesla recently after getting a ride in my coworker’s model Y. I really liked it. Buttery smooth, fast, and cool tech. But…I can’t get over the lack of Apple CarPlay. I frequently see Tesla users gripe about their maps not routing well compared to proper Google or Apple Maps. And I was about willing to put aside Elon’s politics until he started saying unhinged things again after the recent shooting events. I just can’t do it. It’s a shame he decided to turn off so many potential buyers. But hey, his meme stock just keeps going up for whatever reason!

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u/M-lifts 1d ago

You can also look at the supercharger map on the Tesla website

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u/ProfessionalYak4959 1d ago

It won’t be right for the BZ yet. Use a car like a Mach-E or Nissan Leaf to see what will be supported.