Volvo electric vehicle (EV) drivers can coon use Tesla’s massive nationwide charging network. They’ll need an adapter to do it. Volvo dealers will include them in the purchase of new EVs and sell them to existing owners for $230 each.
Dealerships should have them in stock on Nov. 18, Volvo says.
Tesla Network Opening to Other Brands One at a Time
Until this year, EVs were plagued by a ridiculous problem. Every gas-powered car can fill up at every gas station. But EV drivers had to find a public charging station that worked with their car.
Tesla vehicles used one plug shape, called the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Most other automakers used a second, the Combined Charging System (CCS). A handful used a third, called CHAdeMO.
Tesla operates the country’s largest network of public charging stations, which it calls Superchargers. But only Tesla cars could use them. A handful of companies operated CCS or CHAdeMO charging stations, much like everyone from BP to Citgo sells gasoline.
Last year, the industry finally came to its senses about square pegs and round holes. Tesla agreed to let anyone use the NACS standard, and other automakers agreed to switch to it. Other charging networks agreed to add a NACS cord to their chargers.
Starting in 2025, most automakers will build the NACS port directly into their cars. Before that date, they’ll provide adapters.
The transition is going slowly, as Telsa needs to program Superchargers to work with many different brands. Volvo is the latest to enter.
