Volvo and Polestar Electric Vehicles Now Have Access to Tesla Superchargers.
The adapters will be priced at $230.
Volvo and Polestar, two Swedish automotive brands that are part of the Chinese conglomerate Geely, have begun offering their electric vehicle customers access to Tesla's Supercharger network. They are currently taking orders to retrofit their vehicles to be able to charge at over 17,800 Supercharging points across the country. Tesla's superior charging experience and the extensive availability of its stations have motivated the entire automotive industry to support the North American Charging Standard (NACS) proposed by the company.
Initially, all non-Tesla electric vehicles will need adapters. However, several manufacturers have indicated that they will begin to produce models with integrated NACS ports starting in 2025. Ford, GM, Nissan, and Rivian are already providing their customers access to Superchargers, and now it’s Volvo and Polestar’s turn. While Ford and Rivian offered adapters for free for a limited time before customers had to purchase them, GM decided not to offer any grace period.
Volvo is taking a different approach by announcing that the NACS adapter will be free for those who purchase a 2025 EX90, EX40, or EC40 model. However, current owners of Volvo electric vehicles will need to request the adapter at any dealership or service center for a cost of $230. Polestar, on the other hand, has indicated that it will sell adapters through its Service Points, but has not mentioned whether they will be included with the purchase of a new Polestar 2 or 3.
Orders for Volvo will begin shipping on November 18, while Polestar has announced that shipments will start in mid-November. Both companies are updating their Android-based infotainment software to display Tesla Supercharger stations in their vehicles' navigation systems. This update will include real-time availability of each station, as well as an easy method to pay for each charging session.
However, the availability of adapters has not been without complications. Ford had to advise some of its customers to stop using their adapters due to reports of reduced charging speeds over time. Additionally, supply constraints have delayed the delivery of these adapters to some consumers. Tesla has stated that it is ramping up production of its adapters from its Gigafactory in Buffalo, New York. Likewise, some external suppliers of NACS adapters are working to resolve design issues and safety concerns to meet the increasing demand.
