Going on a trip from Texas to Arizona via Interstate 10. Can I use Tesla Superchargers with my Ford Lightning? Electrify America is just not reliable. Always broken or super slow. Any help is appreciated!
You can, but only if the Tesla charger has a ‘magic dock’—that’s what you need to look for.
Right now, only a few Tesla sites in NY and CA allow CCS charging. Starting next spring, many V3 superchargers will be opened up to other cars that switch to NACS.
I disagree with the ‘EA is horrible’ part. The network is fine and works for long-distance travel. Yes, some sites can be hit or miss, but most of the time, you’ll be able to charge just fine.
@Lian
I’ve traveled from CA to NY using Tesla’s Superchargers with no issues. However, using Electrify America with my new Ford Lightning has been a mixed bag. Some stations work, but most of them have broken chargers or very slow charging speeds. I really want to like my Lightning, but the charging experience has been frustrating.
@Wilder
Yeah, EA was great at first, but now it feels like more stations are breaking down and not getting repaired quickly. The charging rates are also way lower than advertised at some stations. Super frustrating!
@Wilder
It’s the difference between a car company trying to be a tech company (Ford) vs. a tech company trying to be a car company (Tesla). Both will get better, but right now Ford lags in the tech department.
@Lian
It’s true, EA has improved a lot. Sure, it’s not perfect, but I’ve never been completely unable to charge with them. You just need to plan ahead.
@Lian
I used to rely on EA on my drives through Virginia, but recently their stations have been disappointing. Most are either broken or charging at super low speeds.
@Lian
EA is honestly terrible for road trips. Their charger info is always wrong, and you waste so much time trying to find a working one.
Zed said:
@Lian
EA is honestly terrible for road trips. Their charger info is always wrong, and you waste so much time trying to find a working one.
This is why I use PlugShare and A Better Route Planner to plan my trips. They save me from the EA headache.
@Reagan
Tesla has spoiled me! I shouldn’t have to go through all this trouble to charge on the road.
Not yet, but by early next year, you should be able to!
There are a few Tesla sites you can use now, but only the ones with Magic Dock connectors. Use PlugShare to find them.
I drove from Texas to California using mostly Electrify America. It was stressful because I had to call customer service to resolve issues at broken stations multiple times. It worked, but it wasn’t ideal.
Next spring is when most V3 Superchargers will open up to non-Tesla cars. Keep an eye out for NACS adapters too. But the real issue might be charger placement—Tesla’s cables are short, so unless they fix that, you may have to park awkwardly to make it work.
A quick Google search will get you answers. Ford announced that their EVs, like the F-150 Lightning, will soon be able to use Tesla Superchargers. Here’s a link to more details: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44007957/tesla-musk-ford-farley-ev-superchargers-access/
You’ll need to find a charger with a CCS plug.
Not yet.
Tesla has some Superchargers with built-in J1772 adapters, but most Lightning owners will need an NACS adapter to use them starting next year.
Bennet said:
Tesla has some Superchargers with built-in J1772 adapters, but most Lightning owners will need an NACS adapter to use them starting next year.
Tesla still needs to install CCS plugs at their stations to get federal money. So, I think they’ll keep making Magic Dock chargers for a while longer.