US Mercedes drivers can use Tesla Superchargers
For now, the Tesla Supercharger network will be integrated into Mercedes’ charging service ‘Mercedes me Charge.’ With that, Mercedes drivers will have access to more than 20,000 Superchargers in the US and Canada. Moreover, it will enable Plug&Charge for Mercedes drivers at the Supercharger. All users have to do is plug in their car, and the charging process and billing will then take place automatically. However, this only applies to US customers for now. “Drivers based in Canada will gain access to the Tesla Supercharger network later in 2025,” the carmaker says.
As mentioned above, Mercedes will switch to NACS inlet for its electric vehicles later this year. Until then, it offers its drivers an adapter for 185 dollars. It will be available in the US in Q1/2025 and from Q2/2025 in Canada.
In July 2023, Mercedes was the first German carmaker to announce that it would switch to Tesla’s charging technology. It followed a wave of previous announcements by Ford, General Motors, and Rivian, for example. Volvo was the first European carmaker to announce the switch – also for 2025.
Tesla’s NACS officially became a charging standard at the end of 2023. Ford was the first carmaker to give its drivers access to the network in North America, followed by General Motors and Rivian.
“As our technologically advanced and highly compelling all-electric vehicle portfolio continues to grow, we recognize that a critical component for a seamless ownership experience for our customers is to ensure convenient access to a broad charging network,” explains Dimitris Psillakis, CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA. “Adopting the NACS standard in our electric vehicles and opening the Tesla Supercharger network to our battery electric vehicle customers represents an important step forward.”
“By opening access to Tesla Superchargers in North America to our customers, we underline our commitment to providing our customers with as many charging options as possible,” adds Franz Reiner, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG. “The fast-growing network of charging points available in Mercedes me Charge will now expand to over 110,000 public charging points across the United States and Canada, providing Mercedes-Benz drivers with an industry-leading charging experience whenever and wherever they choose to charge.”
Mercedes also joined forces with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis (and later Toyota) to found the fast-charging joint venture Ionna in February 2024 in February 2024 (although the project was announced in the summer of 2023). The first hub, comprising ten charging stations with up to 400 kW each, is located in South Carolina. All chargers are equipped with CCS and NACS cables. Tesla’s NACS officially became a charging standard at the end of 2023.
Volkswagen drivers get access this summer
According to media reports, Volkswagen will get access to Tesla’s Supercharger network in June or July. The information is not yet official, but UK magazine PC Mag spoke to Mark Gillies, director of public relations at VW Group of America, at the CES in Las Vegas. Gilles was not able to give a timeline for other VW brands such as Audi or Porsche.
Volkswagen was the last carmaker to sign a deal with Tesla. Its charging infrastructure subsidiary Electrify America announced that it would equip stations with the Tesla standard in North America in 2023.
0 Comments