Tesla Releases an Adapter That Will Allow Tesla Owners to Charge at Virtually Any Fast Charger

 Tesla has released a proprietary CCS adapter that will allow Tesla owners to access third-party fast charging stations.

The adapter plugs into the charging port on a Tesla, enabling the other end of the adapter to accept the universal CCS standard for fast charging in America.

This in turn will allow Tesla owners to charge on networks outside of Tesla’s own Supercharging Network, opening up the evolving networks of companies from EVgo and ChargePoint to the collective effort of Electrify America.

Matching a Tesla's fast charging capability, charging speeds can reach a maximum of 250kW with the proper fast charging hardware installed at stations.

Tesla’s latest vehicles are compatible with the adapter. Older models may potentially require a hardware retrofit, with details that will be announced in early 2023.

It’s possible to check for CCS charging capability on the touchscreen by accessing Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information.

The new product is available to purchase on Tesla’s online shop at $250.

Real Talk

Tesla owners already have access to the most comprehensive and reliable fast charging network with Tesla’s Supercharging Network.

Third-party networks are comparatively less consistent, and many will have fast charging rates that are slower than Tesla’s own network despite the impressive capability of the adapter to effectively manage a high rate of charge.

This adapter will be the most valuable for those in areas that have accessible third-party fast chargers that may be in a convenient location. In our experience, many fast chargers are built near Tesla Superchargers, so this may not be a necessary purchase for most owners.

Regardless, this adapter adds roughly 6,700 more options for Tesla owners to receive a fast charge across 3,300 locations — and counting.

The priority for Tesla owners should remain to charge on Tesla’s Supercharging Network, as other networks will require their own individualized apps and fees.

We also believe that as third-party fast chargers are more limited in scale and charger availability they should perhaps be reserved for other makes and models of electric vehicles that aren’t yet able to charge on Tesla’s Supercharging Network.