Ford CEO Jim Farley and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have announced a strategic partnership that will revolutionize electric vehicle (EV) charging. Starting early next year, Ford vehicles will have access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, with more than 12,000 Superchargers set to be operational across the United States and Canada.

Under the agreement, Tesla will develop an adapter that will be provided to customers purchasing any of Ford’s EVs, including the highly anticipated F-150 Lightning truck, Mustang Mach-E, and E-Transit delivery van. By using this adapter, Ford EV owners will be able to connect their vehicles to Tesla’s Superchargers, including the recently unveiled Version 3 chargers.

The collaboration between Ford and Tesla aims to level the playing field for all automakers when it comes to dependable EV charging infrastructure. To achieve this, Ford’s next-generation EVs will come equipped with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which is a standardized version of Tesla’s proprietary charging system. 

Moreover, Ford’s upcoming EV platform, scheduled to launch in 2025, will be fully compatible with Tesla’s NACS port. Ford also plans to expand the network by adding another 1,800 DC fast-charging stations by early 2024 under its existing “BlueOval” charging network.

Tesla’s charging connector stands out with its superior AC and up to 1 MW DC charging capabilities. Its compact design and outstanding performance have positioned it as a potential new standard in North America, surpassing the Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors used by most EVs.