Ford and Tesla CEOs Make a Surprising Announcement
Ford and Tesla are two of the biggest names in the automotive industry, and they have been competing with each other for years. However, their recent announcement has surprised many people. The CEOs of both companies, Jim Farley and Elon Musk, recently sat down for a chat on Twitter Spaces and made a surprising announcement that has generated strong opinions from all corners of the automotive world.
Ford EV owners will gain access to around 12,000 North American Tesla Superchargers starting next year. This partnership between the two companies is unexpected, but the benefits for Ford owners from such a partnership are hard to ignore. They can access Tesla’s superior charging network and don’t have to rely solely on unreliable, fragmented public charging stations run by a number of companies.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is already strained with high demand and sometimes long waits for a spot. However, the good news for Tesla shareholders – and perhaps bad news for impatient owners – is that the automaker doesn’t plan on stopping with Ford. The company has invited other automakers to install its North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging ports in new EVs. It has already opened a portion of the Supercharger network to outside EV brands, so the system is about to become considerably busier.
Ford’s Ambitions to Overtake Tesla
Ford has been very vocal about its ambitions to overtake Tesla as the leading EV producer in the U.S. This partnership with Tesla is a significant step towards achieving that goal. Ford has been investing heavily in electric vehicles, and it plans to spend $22 billion on EVs through 2025. The company aims to have 40% of its global vehicle volume be all-electric by 2030.
Ford’s first all-electric vehicle, the Mustang Mach-E, has been well-received by critics and customers alike. The company plans to release several more EVs in the coming years, including an electric F-150 pickup truck and an electric Transit van.
The Benefits of Tesla’s Supercharger Network
Tesla’s Supercharger network is one of the biggest advantages that the company has over its competitors. The network consists of over 25,000 charging stalls in more than 2,700 locations worldwide. The Superchargers are capable of delivering up to 250 kW of power, which can add up to 200 miles of range in as little as 15 minutes.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is also very reliable. The company has invested heavily in the network, and it is constantly expanding and improving. Tesla owners can use the Superchargers without worrying about whether they will be available or whether they will be working properly.
The Benefits for Ford Owners
Ford owners will now have access to Tesla’s superior charging network, which is a significant advantage. They will no longer have to rely solely on unreliable, fragmented public charging stations run by a number of companies. They will be able to use Tesla’s Superchargers, which are fast, reliable, and widely available.
Ford owners will need an adapter to access the chargers, but next-generation EVs will have Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) built-in. This means that future Ford EVs will be able to use Tesla’s Superchargers without any additional equipment.
Conclusion
The partnership between Ford and Tesla is a significant development in the EV industry. It shows that even competitors can work together for the greater good. Ford owners will now have access to Tesla’s superior charging network, which is a significant advantage. Tesla will gain access to federal funding as part of the deal, but its owners aren’t as excited. However, the company has invited other automakers to install its NACS charging ports in new EVs, so the system is about to become considerably busier. This partnership is a win-win for both companies and their customers.
