• Tesla’s advantage has long been its charging technology and Supercharger network.
• Now, more and more automakers are switching to Tesla’s charging tech.
• But there are a few things non-Tesla drivers need to know about charging at a Tesla station.

A lot has hit the news cycle in recent months with regard to electric car drivers and where they can and can’t plug in. The key factor in all of that? Whether automakers switched to Tesla’s charging standard.

More car companies are shifting to Tesla’s charging tech in the hopes of boosting their customers’ confidence in going electric. 

Here’s what it boils down to:

If you currently drive a Tesla, you can keep charging at Tesla charging locations, which use the company’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), which has long served it well. The chargers are thinner, more lightweight and easier to wrangle than other brands. 

If you currently drive a non-Tesla EV, you have to charge at a non-Tesla charging station like that of Electrify America or EVgo — which use the Combined Charging System (CCS) — unless you stumble upon a Tesla charger already equipped with the Magic Dock adapter. For years, CCS tech dominated EVs from everyone but Tesla. 

Starting next year, if you drive a non-Tesla EV (from the automakers that have announced they’ll make the switch), you’ll be able to charge at all Supercharger locations with an adapter. And by 2025, EVs from some automakers won’t even need an adaptor. 

Here’s how to charge up, depending on which EV you have: 

Ford

Ford was the earliest traditional automaker to team up with Tesla for its charging tech.

Current Ford EV owners — those driving a Ford electric vehicle already fitted with a CCS port — will be able to use a Tesla-developed adapter to access Tesla Superchargers starting in the spring. That means that, if you own a Mustang Mach-E or Ford F-150 Lightning, you will need the adapter in order to use a Tesla station come 2024.

But Ford will equip its future EVs with the NACS port starting in 2025 — eliminating the need for any adapter. Owners of new Ford EVs will be able to pull into a Supercharger station and juice up, no problem.

General Motors

GM will also allow its EV drivers to plug into Tesla stations.

Much like Ford, GM EV drivers can start to use the Tesla charging network even before the automaker equips its cars with NACS.

Starting next year, whether you’re driving a GMC Hummer, Cadillac Lyriq, or other GM electric car, you can use a Tesla charger, so long as you have an adapter.

GM will build its EVs with the NACS port starting in 2025. From that point on, GM EV drivers won’t need an adapter to charge at a Tesla location.

Rivian

As for Rivian drivers, an adapter will also be available, in the spring.

Then, Rivian will build its R1T vehicles and upcoming R1S platform with the NACS port as standard beginning in 2025.

Volvo

Current drivers of Volvo EVs can start to use an adapter to use Tesla chargers sometime mid-next year.

Those who buy an electric Volvo starting in 2025 can expect the cars will be made with the NACS port from then onward.

Polestar

The same rules apply for owners of Polestar EVs.

You can start using the chargers in 2024 with an adapter, and expect the full experience a year later with a model year 2025 Polestar.

Mercedes-Benz

The German automaker just announced it will adopt Tesla’s NACS.

Mercedes-Benz EV drivers will have access to the Tesla network via an adapter beginning next year.

Mercedes will implement the NACS port into its vehicles built starting in 2025. 

Some automakers have not yet announced that they will make their EVs compatible with Tesla chargers. For example, Lucid is not planning on making the switch right away.

Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson recently said he’s not yet convinced about the industry-wide switch to the Tesla NACS tech, but it’s likely the startup will eventually follow suit. That means Lucid drivers have to charge at a location where CCS is readily available.

Stellantis

The Jeep-maker told Reuters in a recent statement it would evaluate a potential switch to NACS.

Hyundai

Hyundai said it is also considering it.

It gets tricky when you look at other charging stations

Currently, non-Tesla EV drivers can plug in at an Electrify America or EVgo charger given both the vehicles and the stations are equipped to handle CCS-enabled charging.

Several charging companies are now planning to convert their equipment to NACS. (You can keep an eye on which companies that is with this helpful tracker from consultancy EVAdoption.)

That means that for drivers of non-Tesla EVs, built with the NACS port in the future (for many of them, starting in 2025), these non-Tesla stations will also be able to accommodate them.

There’s a lot to keep track of in the world of EV charging. But given how important charging is to an EV owner’s experience, the space is bound to get more exciting in the coming years. 

Are you a non-Tesla EV owner? Are you planning to use the adapter to be able to charge at Tesla stations starting next year? Do you wish you waited to buy your EV until after it was built with the NACS port? Do you have a tip or opinion to share? Contact this reporter at astjohn@insider.com.

DETROIT – Less than a year after the introduction of the next-generation 2023 Canyon, GMC has raised the bar with the 2024 Canyon. This model takes the capability and connectivity of Canyon to new heights with the introduction of both the Ultifi end-to-end software platform and the first ever Canyon AT4X AEV Edition.

“GMC is giving customers the ability to forge their own path within the premium off-roading space,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick-GMC. “GMC Sierra LD and HD AT4X AEV Editions delivered what customers were looking for in the off-roading space and now we’re applying that same formula to the next-generation Canyon.”

First introduced on the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500, AEV Editions are now available across the GMC truck lineup, underpinning the brand’s focus on delivering premium, advanced and authentically capable trucks in North America.

Taking Canyon to the next level

The next-generation Canyon continues to pursue its goal of becoming the most capable and premium off-road-focused midsize truck in the segment. The 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition takes the power and versatility of the Canyon AT4X to new heights with an even more assertive stance, enhanced hardware and further upgrades to the vehicle chassis including:

• 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires with an additional AEV in-bed vertical spare tire mount
• Updated front fascia and larger fender flares to enable larger, wider tracks and ultra-high, best in class 12.2-inch ground clearance¹
• 4.5-inch (114mm) factory-installed lift — 1.5-inch (38mm) more than the Canyon AT4X
• Heavy-duty, AEV stamped-steel front and rear bumpers with heavy duty recovery points and winch capable front bumper
• Five ultra-high strength, hot-stamped boron steel skid plates (positioned along the radiator, steering gear, transmission and transfer case, fuel tank and rear differential) for optimized underbody protection
• The addition of three standard auxiliary control switches which enable the integration of off-road and overlanding accessories.
• Exclusive AEV beadlock-capable Salta wheels
• AEV branding across the vehicle, including on bumpers, embroidered head restraints and all-weather floor liners

“The GMC Canyon AT4X is an incredibly formidable platform when it comes to on- and off-road performance and capability,” said AEV CEO and founder Dave Harriton. “We took our signature approach to help elevate the Canyon AT4X’s inherent off-road capability to the next level. This truck checks a lot of boxes for any discerning overland enthusiast looking for luxury, technology and capability in a midsize platform.”

With a more assertive lift and new AEV hardware, the 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition can now achieve a 38.2-degree front approach angle, a 26.9-degree breakover angle and an optimized 26.0-degree departure angle. These bumpers are designed for serious off-road action, featuring integrated heavy-duty cast rear recovery points and front winch capability, while providing excellent durability and corrosion resistance. The rear bumper also features removable corners intended for easy removal and reinstallation when hitting the trails.

Next-Gen technology

Canyon continues to bolster its suite of advanced technology. Now for the 2024 model year, Canyon’s Baja drive mode — available exclusively on the Canyon AT4X and AT4X AEV Edition — has been enhanced to include a new launch control feature, which allows drivers to press the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time, and then release the brake pedal, resulting in improved acceleration on- and off-road. This smart launch control feature learns the driving surface and can adjust engine speed and torque accordingly to improve subsequent performance on future launches².

Additionally, all 2024 Canyons will be able to add new features and software updates over time with the introduction of GM’s Ultifi Platform. Ultifi is GM’s new end-to-end vehicle software platform that enables the delivery of features and services to customers over the air, meaning these off-road aids can be updated and new experiences can be added in the future.

“The market continues to see a surge of interest in the midsize space,” said Aldred. “Customers want something capable and premium, with purposeful technology that enables them to set off the beaten path. This next generation GMC Canyon, and the all-new Canyon AT4X AEV Edition, will be all that and more.”

Coming later this year

The next-generation Canyon is produced at GM’s Wentzville Assembly in Wentzville, Missouri³. The 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition is expected to be available for customer orders later this year.

¹Based on latest competitive data available.
₂Some updates and premium features may be at additional cost.
₃Of globally sourced parts

About GMC
GMC offers a range of premium trucks and SUVs designed and engineered to the highest standard. With vehicles like the compact Terrain and full-size Yukon, all-new Canyon and Sierra light-duty, as well as the world’s first all-electric supertruck, the GMC HUMMER EV, our trucks and SUVs deliver GMC’s signature combination of intuitive technologies, precise engineering and premium execution. Built on a strong foundation of manufacturing trucks since 1902, GMC now sells in a dozen countries across the world. Details on all models are available at www.gmc.com, Instagram at @GMC, Twitter at @GMC or at www.facebook.com/gmc.

About AEV
American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has now been on the cutting edge of the 4WD industry for over 25 years, continuously pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. The goal has always been simple: provide the highest quality off-road parts and accessories available anywhere in the world, period.