Ford Motor announced Monday that it will significantly expand its partnership with Tesla by adding more than 15,000 of Tesla’s Superchargers to its electric vehicle charging network. This decision is a departure from the previous projection of adding 12,000 chargers and underscores Ford’s commitment to extending the range of its electric vehicles.
The expansion of Ford’s BlueOval charging network in North America will see a 25% increase to a total of over 106,000 chargers. The move is designed to address one of the top concerns of electric vehicle owners: access to charging stations. By providing more chargers, Ford aims to alleviate the range anxiety that has prevented potential buyers from choosing battery-powered vehicles.
In addition to Tesla Superchargers, Ford customers will now have access to three new charging providers: Francis Energy, Blink and Red E in the United States and Canada. These partnerships will add more than 10,000 new chargers to the network, including more than 550 DC fast chargers. The fast chargers, which can add hundreds of miles of range in an hour or less, will be available to Ford EV customers through an adapter starting next spring.
The BlueOval charging network consolidates multiple charging networks, giving customers access to the largest public charging network offered by an automaker in North America. Major providers, including Shell Recharge Solutions, Electrify America, EVgo and ChargePoint, are part of the network.
This collaboration between Ford and Tesla also makes Ford the first major automaker to adopt Tesla’s proprietary charging standard. The partnership gives Ford EV owners access to the largest network of high-speed Superchargers in the United States, beginning in early 2024.
Ford’s commitment to expanding its charging network demonstrates its dedication to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles. By addressing the charging infrastructure challenge, Ford aims to make EV ownership more accessible and appealing to a broader range of consumers.
