GM adopts Tesla’s EV charging system in big win for Elon Musk
General Motors has announced that it will join Ford in adopting Tesla’s North American charging plug standard, meaning that GM electric-vehicle buyers will now have access to the Tesla Supercharger network. This news comes after Ford also made a similar decision to embrace Tesla’s charging plug, resulting in three of the top EV sellers in the North American market agreeing on a standard for charging hardware. The agreement was announced during a Twitter Spaces event by GM CEO Mary Barra and Tesla chief Elon Musk and has been met with positive feedback from investors. Together, the three automakers account for approximately 70% of current US EV sales.
From a consumer standpoint, this is great news because it means that, with time, drivers will have easier access to charging stations and a simplified method for charging their vehicles. It’s also worth noting that the alliance among Tesla, GM and Ford puts pressure on other automakers and independent charging network operators that had adopted the CCS standard.
FAQs:
What does this mean for EV drivers?
This agreement means that GM electric-vehicle buyers will now have access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Together, the three automakers account for approximately 70% of current US EV sales, so this is great news as it simplifies the charging process.
What does this mean for the charging station industry?
This news puts pressure on other automakers and independent charging network operators that had adopted the CCS standard. Other charging providers could still use the CCS standard and rely on adapters to serve Tesla, Ford, and GM vehicles, but it remains to be seen if this standard will become the norm in North America.
Will Tesla give preferential treatment to Teslas when it comes to charging at Supercharger stations?
According to Elon Musk, they will not show favoritism towards Tesla vehicles. “It will be an even playing field … The most important thing is we advance the electric vehicle revolution.”
Elon Musk scores major victory as GM embraces Tesla’s EV charging technology
General Motors has announced it will adopt Tesla’s North American charging plug standard and give electric vehicle (EV) buyers access to the Tesla Supercharger network. The move follows Ford’s recent decision to embrace Tesla’s charging plug standard. This agreement means that the three top EV sellers in the North American market have now agreed on a standard for charging hardware. The deal was announced by GM CEO Mary Barra and Tesla chief Elon Musk during a Twitter Spaces event. The alliance between the three leading rival US EV manufacturers has significant commercial and public policy implications. However, the alliance challenges the White House’s direction which made adoption of a rival “combined charging system” (CCS) standard a requirement to make companies eligible for federal subsidies for new charging stations. Tesla, GM and Ford together account for about 70% of current US EV sales. Industry executives see differing EV charging connectors as a barrier to wider consumer adoption of electric vehicles.