Ford inks transaction with Tesla to get access to charging stations starting next year: Report

Ford Motor Co. has okayed a transaction with Tesla to let its EV owners get access to over 12,000 Tesla superchargers in North America early next year, Reuters reported.

The transaction makes Ford amongst the first big auto firms to make use of Tesla’s charging standard, giving it access to the largest network of superchargers in USA, Reuters reported.

As per analysts, access to charging stations is amongst the biggest hindrances to the larger acceptance of electric vehicles, the newswire reported.

Last year Tesla had announced that it would make available its charging design and network to others, Reuters said. 

Ford will fit its upcoming electric vehicles with its peer’s charging standard, circumventing the need for the adapter, for direct accessibility to Tesla superchargers, beginning in 2025, the newswire reported.

Ford chief Jim Farley announced this deal on Twitter spaces owned by Tesla owner Elon Musk, Reuters reported.

Musk earlier in the month took to Twitter to talk of Ford’s strategy with electric vehicles was smart and that the electric F-150 (Lightning) has huge demand. He also defended the company’s losses in EV segment, saying it was difficult on the margin front for new vehicle lines, specifically when there were big technology shifts, Reuters stated.

Tesla has begun to expand its connectors and incorporate rival CCS standard at several of its stations in America, as the government aims to offer massive subsidies to proliferate charging stations, Reuters reported.