Plug a non-Tesla into a Supercharger? It’s not so simple

For that to happen for GM’s models and other EVs, software that enables the charger to communicate or “handshake” with the vehicle, as well as a payment system, has to be established. Tesla chargers have no screen and no way for an EV driver to input information. Tesla’s charging app for its Magic Dock handles that, but likely the software to handle the handshake will be part of a non-Tesla EV’s operating system.

“The logical thing for Tesla to do, not that Tesla ever does anything logical, would be to create a software development kit for automakers that handles all of the communications requirements to enable vehicles to talk to their chargers,” Abuelsamid of Guidehouse Insights said.

A charging expert at SAE International, which developed the J1172 standard for the CCS type plugs, agrees.

“If OEMs want to move toward a seamless, no-user-interaction charging experience, they must work to enable that functionality,” said Christian Thiele, director of global ground vehicle standards at SAE. “The goal of implementing NACS should be that a user plugs in and walks away without looking back at the station.”

It’s not clear if non-Tesla EVs using Tesla’s charging network will ever charge as consistently as the Model S, Model 3, Model X or Model Y, which use either a 7.7-kW or 11.5-kW onboard charger. The cars and chargers were designed to work as a system. The charging power varies on non-Tesla vehicles.

Some EVs from Porsche and Lucid, for example, can take electricity faster than a Tesla Supercharger can provide it.

Tesla has some learning to do, too. But what that entails is also unclear. Tesla, which does not respond to media inquiries, issued this statement after the Ford and GM charging deals were announced:

“It’s always been our ambition to open the Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs, and by doing so, encourage more drivers to go electric. More customers using the Supercharger network enables faster expansion.

“Our goal is to learn and iterate quickly, while continuing to aggressively expand the network, so we can eventually welcome both Tesla and non-Tesla drivers at every Supercharger worldwide.”

Hannah Lutz contributed to this report.