[rconti]

So what does this mean for a Tesla on an NACS charger? Do they already support CCS over that port, or is it a software update?

I know Teslas were already CCS in Europe, so I wouldn't be surprised if the software is already basically there.

[theluketaylor]

Tesla version 3 superchargers already use CCS for communication between car and charger for 2019 and later vehicles.

Version 2 superchargers do not speak CCS and won't ever be opened to non-Tesla vehicles and there are certain routes where that's quite annoying. My most common road trip has 5 supercharger locations along the way with 3 of them being V2, including the most isolated charger. Even once the NACS changeover happens taking a non-tesla on that journey will be a real pain.

Tesla has not put any resources into converting V2 sites into V3s. Some of the locations have been expanded with the new additions being V3, but I haven't seen much in the way of switchover.

[ericd]

Now that it's open and standardized, you'll probably see tons of third party charging stations with the NACS plug. Tesla's part in bootstrapping charging infra to make EVs viable seems to be mostly done.

[bryanlarsen]

Older Teslas (approx 2019 and older) need a hardware update.

[rconti]

Damn, ouch. Seems crazy that they're now in the position of breaking supercharger compatibility with existing cars.

[theluketaylor]

No compatibility break as far as I know. I believe V3 superchargers speak CCS to 2019 and newer cars and fallback to the older Tesla-proprietary communication if necessary.

[bryanlarsen]

Sure, but some Tesla owners are going to be surprised when they pull up to a third party charger with a Tesla plug that doesn't work on their car even though it plugs in.

[maxerickson]

Only ~once.

A little bit of pain when there aren't that many vehicles is fine if it makes things quite a lot better going forward.

[matthewdgreen]

I just scheduled the upgrade for my 2018 Model 3. It’s not free, but only costs $280 and they do it in my driveway. Rumor has it I might get a CCS adapter out of the deal too, but I’m not sure. It’s an older car but still going strong, and my biggest concern is that if I don’t do the upgrade now they’ll run out of upgrade kits and the car’s value will be permanently damaged even if it lasts another ten years.

[rconti]

ah, gotcha. Yeah, I can live with broken compatibility with just the newer non-Tesla chargers, especially if the upgrade is as cheap as folks here are saying.