Volkswagen EVs to Get Tesla Supercharger Access

[eddiet1212]

Volkswagen EVs to Get Tesla Supercharger Access​

Volkswagen EV drivers will be able to power up at Tesla Superchargers starting this spring, opening up nearly 18,000 new public charging options for them.

We get access to the network in March, but we won't have official adapters available until early summer around June," Mark Gillies, director of public relations at VW Group of America, told us here at CES.

Volkswagen's launch timeline is not yet public on the Tesla website, which lists Mercedes-Benz as the next brand to get access. Ford, Rivian, General Motors, Volvo, Polestar, and Nissan drivers were the first to get it, in that order. All EV makers will get access by the end of 2025, to the surprise of some Tesla drivers.

Gillies couldn't speak to timelines for Audi, Porsche, and Scout, which fall under the same parent company as VW. The four brands co-announced their deal with Tesla in December 2023, so it's likely all will get access around the same time

https://www.pcmag.com/news/volkswagen-evs-to-get-tesla-supercharger-access-in-march-ces-2025

 

[Dana]

Volkswagen EVs to Get Tesla Supercharger Access​

Volkswagen EV drivers will be able to power up at Tesla Superchargers starting this spring, opening up nearly 18,000 new public charging options for them.

We get access to the network in March, but we won't have official adapters available until early summer around June," Mark Gillies, director of public relations at VW Group of America, told us here at CES.

Volkswagen's launch timeline is not yet public on the Tesla website, which lists Mercedes-Benz as the next brand to get access. Ford, Rivian, General Motors, Volvo, Polestar, and Nissan drivers were the first to get it, in that order. All EV makers will get access by the end of 2025, to the surprise of some Tesla drivers.

Gillies couldn't speak to timelines for Audi, Porsche, and Scout, which fall under the same parent company as VW. The four brands co-announced their deal with Tesla in December 2023, so it's likely all will get access around the same time

https://www.pcmag.com/news/volkswagen-evs-to-get-tesla-supercharger-access-in-march-ces-2025

Just keep in mind only Superchargers with Magic Dock can be used by other OEMs. Pretty limited number right now. But hopefully by 2027 more will have been retrofitted. But I wouldn’t bank on perpetual access…Musk is a take his toys and go home kind of guy when his ego gets bruised…the cave rescue of some kids a few years back was pretty juvenile. He called a rescue diver a pedophile when they didn’t want to use his mini sub.

 

[J Alynn]

Just keep in mind only Superchargers with Magic Dock can be used by other OEMs. Pretty limited number right now. But hopefully by 2027 more will have been retrofitted. But I wouldn’t bank on perpetual access…Musk is a take his toys and go home kind of guy when his ego gets bruised…the cave rescue of some kids a few years back was pretty juvenile. He called a rescue diver a pedophile when they didn’t want to use his mini sub.

Sounds about typical!

 

[LastDayScout]

Just keep in mind only Superchargers with Magic Dock can be used by other OEMs. Pretty limited number right now. But hopefully by 2027 more will have been retrofitted. But I wouldn’t bank on perpetual access…Musk is a take his toys and go home kind of guy when his ego gets bruised…the cave rescue of some kids a few years back was pretty juvenile. He called a rescue diver a pedophile when they didn’t want to use his mini sub.

It is my understanding that the magic dock super chargers just do not require and adapter. But, if you have the adapter you can use any supercharger as long as your brand has been certified to use superchargers. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Sockdoc]

It is my understanding that the magic dock super chargers just do not require and adapter. But, if you have the adapter you can use any supercharger as long as your brand has been certified to use superchargers. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Nope. First gen superchargers don’t support other vehicles. Lots of technical reasons I don’t fully understand, voltage, amps etc. but hopefully we will see upgrades at those first gen supercharger locations in the coming years!

 

[oldgeeksguide]

Nope. First gen superchargers don’t support other vehicles. Lots of technical reasons I don’t fully understand, voltage, amps etc. but hopefully we will see upgrades at those first gen supercharger locations in the coming years!

I think first GEN uses different communication standard. There’s a lot of digital messages going back-and-forth to get things working, which makes it more complicated than just a simple adapter. Later generations use the same communication standard as CCS, I believe though there’s always little differences in implementation and interpretation of the standard, which is why sometimes things don’t work. Magic dock basically has a built-in adapter and seems to accept arbitrary CCS brands. But for modern non-magic Tesla chargers having an adapter isn’t enough if the brand doesn’t have an agreement in place.

Basically, they tried having a walled garden approach, but eventually starting moving away from that towards a standard that they created, but for now we’re kind of in the middle of that transition. Fortunately, the plug they created is a big improvement over CCS, and they were finally willing to allow it to become a public standard rather than using legal means to prevent others from using it.

 

[Sockdoc]

I think first GEN uses different communication standard. There’s a lot of digital messages going back-and-forth to get things working, which makes it more complicated than just a simple adapter. Later generations use the same communication standard as CCS, I believe though there’s always little differences in implementation and interpretation of the standard, which is why sometimes things don’t work. Magic dock basically has a built-in adapter and seems to accept arbitrary CCS brands. But for modern non-magic Tesla chargers having an adapter isn’t enough if the brand doesn’t have an agreement in place.

Basically, they tried having a walled garden approach, but eventually starting moving away from that towards a standard that they created, but for now we’re kind of in the middle of that transition. Fortunately, the plug they created is a big improvement over CCS, and they were finally willing to allow it to become a public standard rather than using legal means to prevent others from using it.

Thank you for the explanation. Sounds about right. I think the higher voltage superchargers are the newer ones which have the updated communication protocols. My mother in law lives 2.5 hours away with a supercharger in her town, unfortunately it is first gen we would have to driver another 30 minutes in the opposite direction to get a charger we could use, unless we had an 300+ mile option (and going 80 on the freeway). Due to this we have held on a full BEV. Once that supercharger is upgraded then it makes b a lot more sense

 

[LastDayScout]

Nope. First gen superchargers don’t support other vehicles. Lots of technical reasons I don’t fully understand, voltage, amps etc. but hopefully we will see upgrades at those first gen supercharger locations in the coming years!

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Mousehunter]

We have a couple years for Tesla to upgrade gen one V3 superchargers. The bigger issue, perhaps, is the still older V2 chargers. At least v3 systems have a somewhat reasonable charge rate - which means they also have at least a reasonable power source. The V2 chargers don't have the power available to charge faster - and I really don't see ANY push to update those. Unless they get far more utilization, the venues that host them are not going to push for them getting replaced - especially if they have to cost share that replacement in any way (such as put in infrastructure so they have access to more current).

So I simply don't see any overnight charging at a hotels on Tesla chargers in the next few years.

 

[oldgeeksguide]

We have a couple years for Tesla to upgrade gen one V3 superchargers. The bigger issue, perhaps, is the still older V2 chargers. At least v3 systems have a somewhat reasonable charge rate - which means they also have at least a reasonable power source. The V2 chargers don't have the power available to charge faster - and I really don't see ANY push to update those. Unless they get far more utilization, the venues that host them are not going to push for them getting replaced - especially if they have to cost share that replacement in any way (such as put in infrastructure so they have access to more current).

So I simply don't see any overnight charging at a hotels on Tesla chargers in the next few years.

Well, there (overnight at hotels) you might be talking about destination chargers, which are a whole different thing. Destination chargers are AC and don’t involve as much complexity, so it’s easier to adapt those across car brands. On CCS the ac chargers actually have a different plug that’s a subset of the dc charging plug, but with NACS they just re task the DC pins for AC. Bottom line is it only takes a relatively simple adapter to convert between plug types and the communication is simpler, so it’s easier to work across brands.

 

[LastDayScout]

Just had a thought. If Scout does indeed gain access to Tesla's superchargers, are any of you concerned about the negative optics and possible vandalism associated with Tesla?

 

[THil08]

Just had a thought. If Scout does indeed gain access to Tesla's superchargers, are any of you concerned about the negative optics and possible vandalism associated with Tesla?

No since It Cleary says Scout on the Vehicle and not Tesla, and also just don't go to shady areas.

 

[R1TVT]

Just had a thought. If Scout does indeed gain access to Tesla's superchargers, are any of you concerned about the negative optics and possible vandalism associated with Tesla?

I charged at a Tesla SuperCharger in NH over the weekend. It was wild!!!... There was indeed a huge protest being staged in the parking lot (right at the supercharger site), but it was peaceful, and by no means were they trying to turn anyone away. Ironically, I was one of 2 Rivian R1T's charging at the stalls with an EV Ford Sprinter van (think it was a Ford). There were NO TESLAS charging at the Tesla site while I was parked there eating my lunch. I was surprised to see this in NH - lots of people with common sense-oreitned signs that were quite creative. I should have taken pictures. One read something like "WE DIDN'T ELECT MUSK"... The very best protest happened a couple of weeks ago in Vermont when Vance came to Sugarbush. The locals there absolutely went off. The signage was amazing: "VANCE SKIs in JEANS", "JD EATS FAKE SYRUP", "VANCE WEARS REAR-ENTRY SKI BOOTS" etc... Some really good ones from the locals lining the streets of Waitsfield went viral.

FWIW - this isn't meant to be political. This was just what was being observed. There do seem to be a lot of protests and unfortunately some vandalism too. In MA, someone lit a bunch of Superchargers on fire and burned stalls. I have heard of some dealerships getting vandalized. I don;t condone any of that. People should vote with their wallet & conscious if they want change, and they should not trample on anyone's choice of car (which is an A-POLITICAL object). Yes, someone's Tesla may appear more polarizing than ever, but they could have bought that car long before any of the recent madness or turning the white-house into a car dealership.

 

[LastDayScout]

I charged at a Tesla SuperCharger in NH over the weekend. It was wild!!!... There was indeed a huge protest being staged in the parking lot (right at the supercharger site), but it was peaceful, and by no means were they trying to turn anyone away. Ironically, I was one of 2 Rivian R1T's charging at the stalls with an EV Ford Sprinter van (think it was a Ford). There were NO TESLAS charging at the Tesla site while I was parked there eating my lunch. I was surprised to see this in NH - lots of people with common sense-oreitned signs that were quite creative. I should have taken pictures. One read something like "WE DIDN'T ELECT MUSK"... The very best protest happened a couple of weeks ago in Vermont when Vance came to Sugarbush. The locals there absolutely went off. The signage was amazing: "VANCE SKIs in JEANS", "JD EATS FAKE SYRUP", "VANCE WEARS REAR-ENTRY SKI BOOTS" etc... Some really good ones from the locals lining the streets of Waitsfield went viral.

FWIW - this isn't meant to be political. This was just what was being observed. There do seem to be a lot of protests and unfortunately some vandalism too. In MA, someone lit a bunch of Superchargers on fire and burned stalls. I have heard of some dealerships getting vandalized. I don;t condone any of that. People should vote with their wallet & conscious if they want change, and they should not trample on anyone's choice of car (which is an A-POLITICAL object). Yes, someone's Tesla may appear more polarizing than ever, but they could have bought that car long before any of the recent madness or turning the white-house into a car dealership.

My comment was just a thought and curiosity. We had several superchargers set on fire here in Charleston last week.

 

[LastDayScout]

No since It Cleary says Scout on the Vehicle and not Tesla, and also just don't go to shady areas.

I completely understand that. But, its like some people boycott BP over their oil spill. Some boycott or used to boycott Citgo due to Venezuela. I could see some boycotting the superchargers due to what ever his name is, or concerned you may involved in an impromptu fireworks display or paint party.

 

[THil08]

I completely understand that. But, its like some people boycott BP over their oil spill. Some boycott or used to boycott Citgo due to Venezuela. I could see some boycotting the superchargers due to what ever his name is, or concerned you may involved in an impromptu fireworks display or paint party.

Then you buy a ccs adapter and go use rivian or a charge point charger. Everything most of the time has solutions. And plus He’s out by July 4th 2026. Since its a 18 month program.

 

[R1TVT]

Then you buy a ccs adapter and go use rivian or a charge point charger. Everything most of the time has solutions. And plus He’s out by July 4th 2026. Since its a 18 month program.

Just to be clear, that isn't exactly the way the charger system works. You also need a SW "handshake between the vehicle and the charger (not just an adapter). So, if there is no agreement between the OEM and the charging Network, the adapter won't work.

 

[THil08]

Just to be clear, that isn't exactly the way the charger system works. You also need a SW "handshake between the vehicle and the charger (not just an adapter). So, if there is no agreement between the OEM and the charging Network, the adapter won't work.

I’m sure it will come with one. It can’t be a true 50 state machine if it only uses one brand for power. I’ve watched a lot of State Of Charge to know how this stuff goes down lol.

 

[J Alynn]

Violence isn’t really good but if people absolutely feel the need I prefer it be the dealership vehicles, a plant, a “house” - anything but the chargers. Chargers help a lot of people and with government pull back on charger infrastructure that’s hurting all EV drivers who can utilize the super chargers

 

[dreamweaver]

Violence isn’t really good but if people absolutely feel the need I prefer it be the dealership vehicles, a plant, a “house” - anything but the chargers. Chargers help a lot of people and with government pull back on charger infrastructure that’s hurting all EV drivers who can utilize the super chargers

Absolutely. Lets all just peacefully protest.