Tesla has now allowed the usage of its Supercharger network to even non-Tesla electric vehicles via ‘Magic Docks’
Tesla, Inc. has thrown open its Supercharger network in the USA to all electric vehicles. What this means is that now, even non-Tesla CCS-capable electric cars can charge at select Supercharge locations via ‘Magic Docks. Moreover, to make sure that Tesla models can use non-OEM charging infrastructure, the carmaker has come up with retrofitting its old models with CCS-compatible infrastructure.
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Non-Tesla Users Required to Download Tesla app for Supercharger Network
Meanwhile, the carmaker has even issued a tutorial for its Magic Doc. To use the service, the user will first need to download the Tesla app on his smart device and upload his or her credit card details. The app will offer locations of CCS adapters and the user will need to select the location for the Magic Dock to unlock. Tesla has stated that the charging might take up to 2 minutes to commence. This slight lag could be a result of the data transfer between the charging network and the electric vehicle. It must be noted here that there’s no such delay in Tesla vehicles as the charger and the car have direct communication with no mediator in the form of an app.
The drive to retrofit of CCS adapters to Supercharges was started by Tesla soon after the fast-charging standard became mandatory to benefit from the USD 7.5 billion subsidy programme announced by the USA government. As per the ruling, Tesla has to ensure that at least 7,500 Superchargers and Designation Chargers are made “available to all electric vehicles” by the end of 2024. These include no less than 3,500 Superchargers rated at 250 kW. The Texas-based carmaker plans to double its Supercharger network in the USA by December next year.
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CCS Adapters to Cost Upto USD 450
It becomes important to mention here that Tesla vehicles can only use other fast-charging networks with a CCS adapter as the carmaker uses its own charging standard in the States. This adapter is on sale for USD 175 (164 Euros) and is compatible with vehicles built after October 2020. For earlier cars, the company can retrofit the charging hardware for USD 450 (421 Euros), which is exclusive of the adapter cost. Interestingly, no such modification is necessary in Germany, where the CCS adapter is available for the Model S as well as the Model X for 262 Euros regardless of the age of these vehicles. Also, all Model 3s sold in the German are CCS-compatible.