Ford needs to replace a batch of adapters it sent electric vehicle (EV) owners that let them use Tesla Superchargers. Ford says the adapter can damage cars’ charging ports.
On a service page and in emails sent to owners, the company says, “Ford does not recommend using the adapter initially supplied to you with any vehicle from this time on, and we will be sending you a replacement.”
Ford Cars, Tesla Chargers
Today’s EVs use one of three different charging ports. Most public EV chargers serve one or two of these ports.
Tesla uses its own plug, the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Most other automakers use a different solution, the Combined Charging System (CCS). A few use a third, known as CHAdeMO.
That complicated system began to simplify last year when Ford negotiated the right to build Tesla’s port into its future EVs. One by one, the rest of the auto industry followed its lead. Automakers agreed to build the Tesla port into their cars. Tesla agreed to open its massive Supercharger network for everyone to use.
The change is taking time. Automakers have begun providing adapters that let drivers of CCS-equipped cars plug into Tesla’s NACS chargers. Some, like Ford, provide them for free. Others, like GM, sell the adapters.
Tesla is opening its network to other brands one by one, as it needs time to program the chargers to work with different brands’ cars. But Ford went first, with Tesla’s network opening to Ford drivers in March.
Slow Speeds, Damaged Ports
Now, Ford says, some owners have reported problems with their free adapters. They include reduced charging speeds over time, and in some cases, charge port damage, the company says.
So Ford is asking owners to stop using the adapters immediately. “Ford will supply a replacement adapter in the coming weeks and provide return instructions to send back your existing adapter – both at no cost.”
