Non-Tesla's using Tesla charging stations - what's that like?

S

SumGuy

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Nov 11, 2020
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Ontario, Canada
After seeing that the new Dodge Charger (I guess it's a late 2024 model) doesn't have a Tesla charging port, I'm curious as to the state of affairs when it comes to the (much anticipated?) news from a couple years ago that non-Tesla's would be able to use Tesla charging stations.

Here at the end of 2024, is that happening? It it easy? Is it cost effective? Without an adapter?
 
Yes, it's happening.

Most (all?) non-Tesla vehicles have not yet integrated the NACS/J3400 charge port as standard and are still using the J1772 charge port. These vehicles must use an adapter. Given the integration time, I'd expect MY26-MY27 vehicles to be the first years to have the NACS port as standard. At the moment, Ford, GM, Rivian, Volvo/Polestar, Mercedez-Benz, and Nissan all have access to Tesla chargers with an adapter.

The most difficult part is which Tesla chargers these vehicles have access to. I'm unsure if this is for all non-Tesla vehicles, but I know for GM vehicles, it must be a V3 or V4 Supercharger. That significantly limits the available chargers in many locations. At the moment, the bulk of Superchargers are V2. More recently constructed Supercharger locations are V3 and V4 and many V2 stations will be updated (eventually) but until that happens, the network remains limited for non-Tesla vehicles. For reference, from where I sit in the Detroit suburbs, the closest V3 Supercharger is a 1.5 hour drive west or 2 hours north. The nearest V2 Supercharger is less than 15 minutes away.
 
I suspect the rate for Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles may be slightly different. The Tesla map shows that our local Supercharger charges 25 cents/kWh (Cdn). For some reason I think the non-Tesla rate is a little higher. Either way, it's quite a reasonable price.

We charged up at that new local Supercharger in the first couple of days it was open and needed such a small top up (about 1 kWh) it was free. Thank you Tesla.

Most of the Superchargers in Western Canada are 250 kW. Seems it can pay to be a little behind. Only a handful of older chargers are 150 kW. Paradoxically that means the ones most conveniently located in major centers (like at Southgate in Edmonton) may be 150 kW.

PS I'm all for non-Teslas using Superchargers. That means more Superchargers, more income to support maintenance, and enough stations to reduce or eliminate waiting. For the record I've never had to wait to charge at a Supercharger. And all of the stations were in service (at least almost always).
 
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ecotourist said:
PS I'm all for non-Teslas using Superchargers. That means more Superchargers, more income to support maintenance, and enough stations to reduce or eliminate waiting. For the record I've never had to wait to charge at a Supercharger. And all of the stations were in service (at least almost always).
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They should have to mail me a check for being an early adopter.
 
MrHrspwer has a good overview.

As for finding compatible Tesla stations, my Blazer EV (and other Ultium-Generation GM EVs) get routine OTA updates to include new stations, including compatible Tesla station for routing. Then you can start your charge on-screen in the car, through the Tesla app or the myChevrolet app. No Plug and Charge unfortunately, like Ford gets.

I’m in Minnesota, and there’s WAY more non-Tesla stations being installed than Tesla. The Tesla network opening was kind of a nothing-burger. 2 years ago it would have been important, but not today. The one Tesla station that could be helpful for my interstate runs is in a casino parking lot. The Circle K charging at a different exit is a FAR better stop. Full convince store, bathrooms, food, drinks, window washing, garbage cans, longer cables, no adapter, etc.

Some rural states are more dependant on Tesla access though. SD, ND, WV, MS, MO, MT, WY, etc.
 
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E365 said:
As for finding compatible Tesla stations, my Blazer EV (and other Ultium-Generation GM EVs) get routine OTA updates to include new stations, including compatible Tesla station for routing. Then you can start your charge on-screen in the car, through the Tesla app or the myChevrolet app. No Plug and Charge unfortunately, like Ford gets.
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The major positive feature of the Supercharger network is the reliability and each of use. With a Tesla you just plug and play. No fiddling, no entering credit cards, no non-compatibility, no slow charging issues.

I don't know how true they are but I hear stories about other charging stations often being out of order, won't charge this vehicle but charges the one that arrives next, etc. That kind of stuff would be beyond frustrating.

When you're driving cross country you have to be confident that the station you're heading for is going to work for you. You run the battery down to 10 or 15% (on purpose) which doesn't leave much room for "d....., where is the next charging station".
 
ecotourist said:
The major positive feature of the Supercharger network is the reliability and each of use. With a Tesla you just plug and play. No fiddling, no entering credit cards, no non-compatibility, no slow charging issues.

I don't know how true they are but I hear stories about other charging stations often being out of order, won't charge this vehicle but charges the one that arrives next, etc. That kind of stuff would be beyond frustrating.

When you're driving cross country you have to be confident that the station you're heading for is going to work for you. You run the battery down to 10 or 15% (on purpose) which doesn't leave much room for "d....., where is the next charging station".
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I’ve DC fast charged 38 times with my Blazer EV on non Tesla (I track all my charges) and only had 1 issue. There was crews digging around the EA chargers - I think they damaged something.

I’ve actually been extremely surprised how GOOD they’ve been. Old stuff was bad - but the newest is quite good.
 
E365 said:
I’ve actually been extremely surprised how GOOD they’ve been. Old stuff was bad - but the newest is quite good.
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That sounds quite positive.

People who provide reliable service will survive and perhaps prosper. People who installed junk or don't maintain what they installed will be gone. And that's good too.
 
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