Yahoo Autos GM EVs gain access to Tesla Superchargers: But there’s a $225 catch
GM EV drivers can breathe a sigh of relief when their vehicle needs a charge as the automaker announced today that their cars are now compatible with Tesla’s expansive Supercharging network. Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC will all be able to take advantage of the change.
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No such thing as free lunch for GM SAE J3400 adapters
It’s not quite an early Christmas gift though, as owners will need to buy a “GM Approved” SAE J3400 adapter through the app of each respective GM brand for $225 for the vehicles to be able to “talk” to the Tesla Superchargers. While no specific manufacturer was mentioned in the release, the company said they are “leveraging multiple suppliers” to produce them. The adapters will arrive in the US first, with a Canadian release following later this year.
Related: 2025 Rivian R1S range guide: How far an EV crossover will take you on a full charge
Those same apps will also host maps of available Tesla Superchargers, information about their status, and even the ability to pre-pay for a charge before arrival. Non-Tesla drivers will have to pay a little more to charge at Superchargers, including a $1/minute idle fee if the car is left alone after being fully charged.
By adding over 17,800 Tesla Superchargers, GM touts that its customers now have access to “more than 231,800 public Level 2 and DC fast chargers in North America.”
What is the SAE J3400 plug anyway?
The SAE J3400 fast charging plug, otherwise known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), is one of a few types of chargers used on electric vehicles. In August 2024, it was declared a “Recommended Practice” bringing it one step closer to standardization throughout the electric vehicle sector. Think about it as USB-C vs Micro USB and how you are more likely to see a USB-C port on your phone or laptop than Micro USB or any other connector.
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Other manufacturers handled their adapter deliveries differently
Ford was the first to announce a similar plan last year, with just about every other automaker following suit and committing to using the SAE J3400 in future model years. GM originally announced this move in June of 2023 and expected everything to be ready by early spring of 2024 but production issues and layoffs at Tesla delayed the project.
Related: Ford CEO says the Chinese EV industry is biggest threat to his business
While committing to a single standard is a step in the right direction, the decision to sell the adapter might not be. Owners of 2021-2024 model year Ford EVs could request a free adapter between March 6th and June 30th of 2024. After that date, they would be available to purchase for $230. Rivian one-upped both companies by shipping every owner a free adapter starting in April of 2024. There is no mention of purchasing an adapter after that date, with the company instead stating that “for those taking delivery in April and beyond, we’ll contact you separately about getting your adapter.”
There are always third-party adapter alternatives
On the topic of price, EV owners might be tempted to buy a cheaper adapter from a third-party manufacturer rather than pay the OEM premium. Some of the big names on the market include the A2Z EV Typhoon Pro for $197 or the Lectron Vortex Plug for $199.99. Both offer nearly identical charging speeds, warranties, and weights, with the only differences being size and the inclusion of a carrying case.
More manufacturers are signed up for talks with Tesla about adopting the NACS standard, with Volvo, Polestar, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz being next on the list. It remains to be seen how these companies handle the delivery of adapters to their customer base and if their methods will cause the existing players to change their strategies.
