In a big win for electric vehicle (EV) owners, General Motors (GM) and Tesla have teamed up to open over 17,800 Superchargers in the U.S. and Canada to owners of Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac EVs. This move gives GM EV owners access to one of the most reliable fast-charging networks in the nation, joining Ford and Rivian owners who gained access earlier this year.

Access Granted, But Adapters Needed

While the Superchargers are now open to GM EV owners, they’ll need to get their hands on an adapter first. GM has started taking orders for its Combined Charging System (CCS) to North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapter, which is available for $225. Unlike Ford and Rivian, GM isn’t giving these adapters away for free, but they are offering free shipping through the end of the year.

GM’s Vice President of Energy, Wade Shaffer, is confident that the company will be able to meet demand for the adapters.

“Our intent is to do that in the most expedient way possible,” he said.

GM has also secured a third-party provider to help fulfill adapter demand, something Ford has struggled with due to limited supply.

A Smoother Rollout Expected

GM EV owners might have a smoother rollout experience than Ford owners did. GM initially promised Supercharger access by Spring 2024, but the extra time has allowed them to conduct more extensive testing to ensure a consistent experience for owners.

However, GM hasn’t added support for plug-and-charge at Superchargers. This means GM EV owners will have to initiate charging using their vehicle’s app—MyCadilla, MyChevrolet, or MyGMC—or via the Tesla app, unlike Ford and Rivian owners who can plug in and have the system automatically authorize and pay for the charging session.

GM’s Charging Strategy

GM sees Supercharger access as just one part of its broader charging efforts.

“These chargers are in addition to the 214,000 that are already available to GM customers,” Shaffer said.

GM Energy is also expanding its partnership with EVGo, offering 350-kW brand-agnostic fast chargers across the country, and investing in Ionna, a giant charging venture backed by several major automakers.

GM’s push includes home charging solutions, with portable switchable 120V/240V chargers and home power stations already available. They’re also expanding into V2L systems for home and backup batteries, aiming to have a charging solution for everyone.

EVXL’s Take

This move by GM and Tesla is a significant step forward in making EV charging more accessible. As more automakers collaborate to expand charging networks, it becomes easier for EV owners to hit the road without worrying about where they’ll charge up next. This kind of cooperation is crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. For more on Tesla’s role in the EV world, check out our recent articles here.

What do you think about GM and Tesla teaming up to expand charging access? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.