NACS Adapter and Charging a Non-Tesla EV at a Supercharger

Your EV has a CCS1 port, the nearest reliable fast charger is a row of Tesla Superchargers, and you are not sure if you can use them, what plug you need, or whether it will cost more than you expect. That is the situation millions of Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Rivian and other owners are in now that the Supercharger network has opened to non-Tesla cars.

The short answer is that most recent non-Tesla EVs sold in North America can charge at a Supercharger with an approved NACS adapter. The longer answer involves which stations work, which adapter to buy, how you pay, and a few habits that save you from a frustrating first session. Here is what I tell people before their first try.

What a NACS adapter actually is

NACS stands for North American Charging Standard. It is the plug Tesla designed and later opened up, and it has been standardised as SAE J3400. Most automakers have committed to building cars with a NACS port from around the 2025 to 2026 model years onward. Cars built before that use CCS1, which has a larger, two part connector.

A NACS adapter is a short, chunky piece that clicks onto the Supercharger cable on one end and fits into your CCS1 port on the other. It carries DC fast charging current, so it is a serious electrical part, not a cheap travel plug. A typical approved adapter weighs roughly 1 to 2 pounds and costs between about $200 and $250 from the automaker.

Which cars and which Superchargers work

Your car needs to be approved

Your automaker has to reach an access agreement with Tesla, and your car may need a software update before it will talk to a Supercharger properly. Ford gained access first in early 2024, followed by Rivian, GM and then a wave of other brands through 2024 and 2025. Check your automaker's app or website for your specific model, not just the brand.

Not every Supercharger is compatible

Only V3 and V4 Superchargers support non-Tesla cars with an adapter. Older V2 stations do not. The Tesla app filters the map to show only compatible sites once you add a non-Tesla vehicle. If you plan a trip using a third party map, double check each stop in the Tesla app before you rely on it.

How to charge with a NACS adapter step by step

1. Set up payment first. Download the Tesla app, create an account, add your vehicle as a non-Tesla EV, and add a card. Some brands, including Ford and GM, also let you start sessions from their own app with plug and charge.
2. Pick a stall that suits your port. Superchargers have short cables built for Tesla ports at the rear left corner. If your port is on the front of the car, you may need to pull in nose first or use an end stall.
3. Attach the adapter to the Supercharger cable first, then plug the combined unit into your car. This keeps the adapter from hanging off your port at an angle.
4. Start the session in the app by selecting the stall number printed on the post.
5. Stop in the app or the car before unplugging. Never pull the adapter out mid session.
6. Take the adapter with you. It is easy to leave it hanging on the cable. Many people have.

If a session refuses to start, the same troubleshooting steps apply as at any public station, and our guide on what to do when a public charging station will not start walks through them.

What it costs compared with other networks

Supercharger pricing is per kWh in most US states and varies by site and time of day. Non-Tesla drivers usually pay a higher rate than Tesla owners unless they subscribe to Tesla's charging membership, which has been priced at around $13 a month.

These are rough ranges, not quotes. The price for each stall shows in the app before you plug in. The membership pays for itself if you add more than roughly 100 to 150 kWh a month on Superchargers. For a full breakdown of how fast charging is billed, including idle fees, see how public fast chargers price your session.

Why I would not buy the cheapest adapter online

Forums are full of advice to skip the automaker adapter and buy a third party one for half the price. I understand the appeal, but I do not recommend it for DC fast charging, and here is my reasoning.

A DC fast charging adapter may carry several hundred amps. Poor contacts or weak internal latching create heat, and heat at a connector is exactly where problems start. Several automakers have stated that damage from unapproved adapters may not be covered under warranty, and Tesla has said only adapters that meet its requirements should be used at Superchargers. Some approved third party adapters do exist, usually with UL 2252 certification, and those are a reasonable choice. An unbranded one with no listed certification is not where I would save $100.

The second piece of advice I would question is that Superchargers are now always the best option for a road trip. They are reliable and plentiful, which matters a lot. But if your car's port and the short cable force you to block two stalls, or the site is busy, a nearby CCS1 station with a long cable may simply be easier. Use both networks. Good manners also matter more at a crowded Supercharger, a topic covered in our post on EV charging etiquette at public stations.

Speed and what to expect

Your car, not the adapter, decides peak speed in most cases. A car that peaks at 150 kW on a CCS1 charger will usually see a similar peak on a V3 Supercharger. Charging still tapers above about 80 percent state of charge, so on a trip plan to unplug around there and move on. Cold batteries also charge more slowly. Using your car's navigation to precondition the battery before arriving helps, though some models only precondition when the destination is entered in the built-in navigation.

Frequently asked questions

Can any EV use a Tesla Supercharger with an adapter?

Only EVs from automakers that have an access agreement with Tesla, and only at V3 and V4 Superchargers. Your car may also need a software update. Check your automaker's website and add the car in the Tesla app to see which sites work.

How much does a NACS adapter cost?

Automaker supplied NACS adapters typically cost around $200 to $250. Some brands offered them free for a limited time to early owners. Certified third party adapters are available, but uncertified cheap ones are best avoided for fast charging.

Is it more expensive for non-Tesla cars to use Superchargers?

Usually yes. Non-Tesla drivers without a membership pay a higher per kWh rate than Tesla owners. A monthly charging membership lowers that rate and makes sense if you fast charge regularly.