In a big move that promises to improve the charging lives of GM owners in North America, General Motors (GM) has officially gained access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. This development marks the next big stage in Supercharger’s pivoting from a closed-moat system for use by Tesla drivers only, to opening up via the Magic Dock connecter at select sites for CCS cars to use the inbuilt adapter and start a charge on the Tesla app, to today’s move which integrates GM into the network.
The Announcement
At 8am this morning the first GM car to plug in to the Superchargers was done by my good friend, and host of State of Charge on Youtube, Tom Moloughney. OK so a bit of creative licence, he recorded this ahead of time with some interesting logistics in the background. He’s recently bought a Chevy Equinox, plus he has at least three of the required adapters so didn’t have to wait on one sent out by the PR teams.
In a video on his channel he announced that EV owners could now purchase a North American Charging Standard (NACS) DC adapter, granting them access to over 17,800 Tesla Supercharger stations across the United States and Canada. This move follows similar initiatives by Ford and Rivian, who had already begun providing adapters to their customers earlier in the year.
The significance of this announcement cannot be overstated. Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely regarded as one of the most reliable and extensive fast-charging infrastructures in North America. By opening its doors to GM vehicles, Tesla is effectively doubling down on its commitment to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the board.
The Adapter: Key to Unlocking the Network
At the heart of this new partnership is this small but crucial piece of technology: the NACS adapter. Priced at $225, this device serves as the bridge between GM’s electric vehicles and Tesla’s charging stations. Unlike Ford and Rivian, who initially offered adapters to their customers free of charge, GM has opted for a direct purchase model.
The adapter is available for purchase through GM’s vehicle brand mobile applications, which have been updated to integrate seamlessly with the Supercharger network. These apps now allow GM EV owners to locate Tesla Superchargers, check their status, initiate charging sessions, and manage payments all from a single platform.
To ensure a steady supply of adapters, GM is working with multiple suppliers, including Tesla itself. This strategy aims to prevent the supply chain disruptions that have plagued other automakers in their rollout of similar programs. GM spokesperson Sanaz Marbley assured customers that the company has inventory ready and is working diligently to distribute adapters promptly.
Expanding the Charging Landscape
With this new access, GM customers will benefit from a dramatically expanded charging network. The company states that its EV owners will now have access to a total of 321,800 charging points across North America. This figure includes various fast-charging locations co-branded with EVgo, in addition to the newly accessible Tesla Superchargers.
Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy, emphasized the importance of this expansion: “Enabling access to even more publicly available fast chargers represents yet another way GM is focused on further improving the customer experience and making the transition to electric more seamless.”
The move is particularly significant given GM’s ambitious goal of transitioning to an all-electric lineup by 2035. The lack of reliable charging infrastructure has been a major hurdle in EV adoption in the United States, and this partnership goes a long way in addressing those concerns.
A Brief History: From CCS to NACS
To fully appreciate the significance of this development, it’s worth taking a step back to look at the evolution of EV charging standards. GM played a pivotal role in the development of the Combined Charging System (CCS) back in 2011 and made history by being the first manufacturer to install a CCS port in a production vehicle—the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV.
However, the landscape of EV charging has been rapidly evolving. In June 2023, GM was among the early manufacturers to announce its transition to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). This shift marked a significant turning point in the industry’s move towards a universal charging solution.
The adoption of NACS by major automakers like GM, Ford, Hyundai, BMW, and Lucid Motors signaled a growing consensus in the industry. Charging networks, including ChargePoint, have also begun implementing solutions that support a variety of EVs, further enhancing the flexibility of charging options available to drivers.
The Rollout: Challenges and Solutions
While the announcement has been met with enthusiasm, the rollout hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the primary hurdles has been ensuring compatibility across GM’s diverse range of electric vehicles.
The Chevrolet Bolt, GM’s popular electric hatchback, presents a unique challenge. Due to its older electrical and software framework, established before GM’s adoption of the newer Ultium platform in 2020, some Bolt models require a software update to access the Supercharger network.
Specifically, select 2019 and 2020 Bolt models need this update, which must be performed at a dealership. GM has advised all Bolt owners to verify with their dealerships whether they need this update. While this extra step might seem inconvenient, it’s a necessary measure to ensure seamless integration with the new charging network.
Charging Port Placement
Another challenge stems from the physical design of GM’s vehicles. The Bolt, for instance, has its charging port located on the front left side of the vehicle. This is in contrast to Tesla’s design, which typically places the charging port on the rear driver’s side.
Tesla’s Supercharger stations were constructed with short cables tailored for vehicles with rear-positioned charging ports. As a result, Bolt owners (and potentially owners of other GM models) may need to park in a designated stall and extend the charging cable from an adjacent station. Tesla has indicated that it’s permissible for non-Tesla EVs to double park when necessary to access the charger, but this arrangement may lead to inefficiencies, particularly given the Bolt’s slower charging times.
The Charging Experience: What to Expect
For GM EV owners, the charging experience at Tesla Superchargers will be slightly different from what Tesla owners are accustomed to. Here’s what they can expect:
- **Adapter Connection**: Upon arriving at a Tesla Supercharger station, drivers will need to connect the adapter to the Tesla plug and then connect the combined unit to their GM EV.
- **Initiating the Charge**: Unlike Tesla’s seamless “plug-and-charge” feature, GM EV owners will need to manually initiate charging through their vehicle’s brand-specific app (MyChevrolet, MyCadillac, or MyGMC) or through the Tesla app.
- **Charging Speed**: While access to 250 kW Superchargers won’t significantly improve charging speeds for vehicles like the Bolt, it does provide more options for fast charging. GM asserts that a 30-minute charge can yield around 100 miles of range for most of its EVs.
- **Payment**: Charging fees will be handled through the GM brand apps, streamlining the payment process for users.
- **Potential Wait Times**: Given the potential need for double parking and slower charging speeds of some GM models, users should be prepared for potentially longer wait times at busy Supercharger locations.
## Looking to the Future: GM’s Broader Charging Strategy
While access to Tesla’s Supercharger network is a significant step forward, it’s just one piece of GM’s comprehensive charging strategy. The company is actively investing in expanding charging infrastructure through various initiatives:
- **Partnership with EVgo**: GM recently announced an expansion of its partnership with EVgo to establish 400 fast-charging stalls with essential amenities across the U.S. These stations will have the capability to deliver up to 350 kW or 800 volts, facilitating rapid charging, and are set to open in 2025.
- **Collaboration with Pilot Co.**: GM is working with Pilot Co. to install an additional 2,000 chargers at Pilot and Flying J truck stops, further expanding the charging network along major travel routes.
- **IONNA Initiative**: Along with seven other major automakers, GM is part of the IONNA initiative, which aims to create a network of 30,000 chargers at urban and highway locations throughout the U.S. by 2030.
- **GM Energy**: The company is also focusing on home charging solutions through GM Energy, offering portable 120V/240V chargers and home power systems, including vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities for powering home electronics.
These initiatives demonstrate GM’s commitment to creating a comprehensive charging ecosystem that addresses the needs of EV owners both at home and on the road.
Industry Implications: A Shift Towards Standardization
GM’s adoption of the NACS standard and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network is part of a broader industry trend towards standardization of EV charging infrastructure. This move has several important implications:
- **Accelerated EV Adoption**: By reducing “range anxiety” and improving charging convenience, this partnership could significantly boost consumer confidence in EVs.
- **Industry Collaboration**: The willingness of major automakers to adopt a competitor’s standard signals a new era of collaboration in the EV space, potentially leading to faster innovation and improved user experiences.
- **Pressure on Other Charging Networks**: The expansion of the Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles may put pressure on other charging networks to improve their reliability and coverage.
- **Potential for Further Partnerships**: This move could pave the way for more cross-brand collaborations in areas such as battery technology or autonomous driving systems.
Conclusion: It’s About Time – And Who’s Next?
General Motors’ access to Tesla’s Supercharger network represents more than just a convenient new feature for GM EV owners. It signifies a fundamental shift in the electric vehicle landscape, one that prioritizes consumer needs and industry-wide progress over individual brand dominance.
As Wade Sheffer of GM Energy said today, this move is about “improving the customer experience and making the transition to electric more seamless.” By breaking down the barriers between charging networks, GM and Tesla are setting a new standard for what the future of electric mobility can look like.
While challenges remain—from software updates to adapter availability—the overall trajectory is clear. The electric vehicle revolution is charging forward, and with each collaborative step like this, it gains more momentum.
For GM EV owners, the road ahead looks brighter and more accessible than ever. And for the industry as a whole, this partnership serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best way to accelerate progress is to share the road—and the charging station—with your competitors. That has been Tesla’s wider mission all along, but I must admit, I never thought I’d see the Tesla plug become the J3400 standard, which means anyone can put the connector on their third party hardware without seeking Tesla’s permission, and also for the Superchargers to be available to anything else that’s not from their own stable.
And which brands are next? We believe Volvo / Polestar should be next in line, along with the South Korean brands. But with recent changes in the charging teams at Tesla we wait to see how the timelines will progress.
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