The automotive industry is on the brink of an EV-olution as companies are rolling out more and more EVs in the market. Ford and Tesla are two giants of the automotive industry, but both reign supreme over separate domains. Ford is famous for producing invincible SUVs and Reliable Trucks, whereas Tesla has made its name by being the founder of Electric Vehicles. Seeing the trend shifting, Ford has also introduced numerous electricity-powered vehicles.
One of the primary considerations of any consumer regarding an EV is its range and charging facilities. Tesla has built an ecosystem of EVs and chargers throughout the US. But other companies are still trying to compete with Tesla in its charging setup. At such points, a common question intrigues curious minds. Can We charge our Ford Mustang Mach E using the Tesla Superchargers? But before we delve straight into the answer, Let’s look at the Mach E and the charging technologies both companies have used in their vehicles. Only then can we determine the compatibility.
No, the Ford Mustang Mach E’s charging port is not compatible with the Tesla’s Charger and we will discuss why.
Mustang Mach E: Overview:
Ford Mustang Mach-E finally arrived in the US after experiencing several significant delays. While some may consider it sacrilege to use the Mustang name and badge on a fully electric vehicle, Ford knew it was crucial to get this right. Using the Mustang name on an EV was a way to generate buzz and attention. It offers a beautiful design, excellent infotainment, solid speakers, a luxury interior, and much more. But as the article relates to its charging capabilities, let’s discuss that.
Mach E has an “Intelligent Range” capability to help you plan your journeys more effectively. It employs cloud connectivity to calculate driving range more accurately as you are on the move. Mach E provides different ranges depending upon the variants, but the top-of-the-line variant will easily get you around 300 miles on a single charge.
Mustang Mach E Charging Port:
Mustang Mach E comes with the support of both AC and DC fast charging. It supports up to 240V AC charging thanks to the J1772 (called Type 1) port that Ford has installed. Moreover, the extended trim versions support 150kW fast charging, and the basic model supports 110kW faster charging, which has been made possible due to the installation of the CCS1 port. CCS1 is a combination of the J1772 and fast charging ports.
CCS, or combined charging system, is a stunningly gorgeous solution for quick DC charging. It has JS plugs with two additional pins at the bottom. While charging your vehicle through DC, the bottom pins participate in the charging process with little contribution from the JS pins. These connectors support up to 350 kW of electricity.
It is the most common type of DC connector now. Type 1 CCS is widely employed in the United States, but Type 2 CCS is used in Europe.
Charging ports on Tesla Cars:
Those who own Tesla cars in the US would have noticed that there are two main types of charging connectors available: the Tesla connector and the Combined Charging System (CCS). Unfortunately, these connectors are not cross-compatible, which can be a hassle if you own an EV from a different automaker than Tesla.
Tesla developed its proprietary connector back when the company was the only one producing EVs. Understandably, they wanted to have their own charging infrastructure. Still, now that many other automakers are entering the EV market, it would be convenient if all EVs used the same charging connectors.
Tesla Superchargers:
Tesla, Inc., an American vehicle manufacturer, built the Tesla Supercharger network as a fast-charging technology for electric cars. The network was launched on September 24, 2012, with six charging stations. As of December 2022, Tesla operates over 40,000 Superchargers in almost 4,500 stations worldwide, with an average of nine chargers per station. There are over 1,700 stations in North America, nearly 1,800 in the Asia/Pacific region, and almost 900 in Europe. Supercharger stalls offer 72 kW, 150 kW, or 250 kW of DC fast charging.
The Tesla Model S was the first car to have access to the network, and the other variants joined it later on. Some Tesla cars come with free supercharging for life, and others with limited free supercharging. It depends upon the policies and deals from Tesla.
Super Charger Support:
Unfortunately, as of now, the Mach E is not compatible with Tesla Superchargers. This might be a disappointment for most people, as Tesla’s supercharging network is the biggest in the US, with more than 40,000 chargers installed countrywide. Therefore, it is much easy to access than Ford Chargers. But the Hardware on the Tesla Supercharger and Mach E are not compatible with each other.
Tesla supercharger is compatible with a proprietary tesla connector, which helps it connect seamlessly with the charging ports in the Tesla Cars. On the other hand, Mach E uses a Combined Charging System, which is compatible with all the different charging stations in the US, but not the Tesla ones.
Does it have to supercharge support at all?
Mach E is one of the most significant advances that Ford has made in the EV domain. Hence, they have loaded it with fast charging ability. The lower trims offer up to 110 kW DC Fast Charging which can provide a 70% charge in just 47 minutes. The numbers are even better for the premium trim, which supports up to 150kW of DC Fast Charging, just not for the Tesla Super Chargers.
Does it support Tesla Wall Charger:
Suppose you are visiting your friend in a far-off state. Your friend has a Tesla along with a Level 2 Home Charger. Can you charge your absolute beauty of a car, the Mach E using the Tesla Wall Charger? Well, we are not going to disappoint you here. Yes, you can. But you would need to use a Lectron Tesla to J1772 adapter.
How does it work?
As we already discussed, The CCS or Combined Charging System is a combination of J1772 and DC Fast charging ports. The Lectron adapter helps make the J1772 port compatible with the Tesla Wall charger. Whenever you need to charge your car, just attach the adapter to the end of the charging wire and insert it into the charging port. The port will light up, showing that your car is being charged. Additionally, you can confirm it using the app as well.
Benefits of using the adapter:
Multiple options – The adapter supports fast AC charging, and therefore, it widens the horizon of chargers that are compatible with your Mustang Mach E.
Compatible – You can use it with various Tesla chargers, including the wall and destination chargers. Since the Tesla charging system is the most widespread, it gives a sense of relief that you are always in the vicinity of a station where you can charge your Mustang.
Supports fast charging – The adapter supports 48A and 250W charging, giving you a good range within a few minutes.
Carry it around easily – You can carry it around with you anywhere you want. As easy as that!
Future possibilities:
Tesla is rolling out Non-Tesla Superchargers in different countries, but this experimentation is yet to reach the US. To begin, Tesla is launching a small number of charging stations to test the experience, track traffic and gather feedback before expanding. As more sites open, They will only allow non-Tesla vehicles to utilize them if there is sufficient space. This is to ensure that all users have a pleasant and engaging experience.
However, Tesla has requested that users to please keep in mind that some Supercharger configurations may not be appropriate for all vehicles. If the charging wire cannot easily reach the car, customers should not park over the lines and hinder other vehicles.
Should this affect my decision to buy a Ford Mustang Mach E?
No, this aspect should not be a barrier in your decision to lay hands on one of the finest vehicles that mankind has produced. Here is why you should still buy this vehicle:
Sporty performance: Despite being an electric vehicle, the Mustang Mach-E delivers on performance. It is an exciting and athletic car to drive because of its quick acceleration, agile handling, and a top speed of around 90 mph.
Long range: Depending on the type and battery size, the Mustang Mach-E may travel up to 300 miles on a single charge. This is plenty for most daily commutes and road vacations.
High-tech features: The Mustang Mach-E comes standard with a user-friendly infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a slew of driver-aid technologies. These elements contribute to a more comfortable and convenient driving experience.
Road presence: The Mustang is a well-known and famous brand in the automotive world, and the Mach-E builds on this reputation by giving a distinct and modern twist on the traditional Mustang formula. This makes it an appealing alternative for individuals looking for a vehicle that stands out from the crowd.
Summary:
In this article, we concluded that you could not charge your Mach E using a Tesla supercharger, but some aftermarket components help you take advantage of basic Tesla Chargers.