Drivers of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles (EVs) will be able to use the Tesla Supercharger network starting next month, Mercedes announced today. They’ll need an adapter to plug in there. But, once they have it, they’ll have plug-and-charge capability at more than 20,000 Tesla Superchargers.
One Charging Solution for Everyone
If none of that made sense, allow us to explain.
Today, each electric car uses one, but not all, of three charging plugs. They’re not interoperable. Since most EV owners do most of their charging at home, that’s not a problem unless they’re going on a trip longer than their car’s range. But, when they are, it’s a frustrating limitation.
Related: Electric Car Charging: Everything You Need to Know
Tesla has its own proprietary plug, the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. It operates America’s largest charging network, equipped only with NACS plugs.
Until this year, most other automakers used a second design, the Combined Charging System (CCS1) port. A few used a third, called CHAdeMO. Several companies operate public charging networks equipped with CCS or CHAdeMO plugs (often both), but none have as many locations as Tesla.
That can leave EV owners driving around looking for the specific charger that fits their car, unable to use any charger they see.
Last year, the industry finally came to its senses. Tesla agreed to open its system for anyone’s use. One by one, nearly every automaker (including Mercedes) agreed to start building the NACS port into their cars. By the end of 2025, most new EVs sold will have the NACS port built in.
Other networks have begun building the NACS plug into their chargers. They’ll likely continue to offer CCS1 and CHAdeMO chargers alongside them for many years because EVs bought before 2025 will have those plugs. But, over time, America’s EV drivers will all converge on one common-sense plug design.
Tesla Opening to One Automaker at a Time
Drivers can’t immediately use Superchargers with an adapter, however. Whenever an EV plugs into a public charger, software within the car and the charger must communicate, allowing safe charging.
So, Tesla needs time to update its system to work with each automaker’s cars.
That work has finished for Mercedes, the company says. Mercedes EV drivers should be able to plug into Superchargers in February.
“A NACS to CCS1 adapter for current CCS1-compatible electric vehicles will be available at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships,” the company says. It hasn’t explained whether the adapter will be free, or come at a cost. Some automakers, like Ford, have made the devices free to owners. Others, like GM, charge a fee for them.
