Tesla's Supercharger network has seen an expansion of CCS1-compatible charging stations in North America. After the launch of the first non-Tesla Supercharger in the United States earlier this year, the company had been relatively quiet on further expansion. However, recent reports suggest that these charging stalls equipped with Magic Dock technology have begun to surface in various locations, including Texas, Canada, and Alaska.
Testing the functionality of these CCS1-compatible plugs has been a crucial step in ensuring their effectiveness. Notably, installers in Texas reportedly utilized the Ford F-150 Lightning for this purpose, while workers in Alaska opted for Rivian's electric vehicles, particularly the R1S model. A user on Twitter, @markhkinak, even posted a photo of a gray R1S charging at Alaska's first-ever Magic Dock-equipped Supercharger.
First Rivian to charge at the Magic Dock in Alaska! (Was a test vehicle for the install crew!!) Also a Chevy Bolt… pic.twitter.com/3tOt5hCCOz
— Mark K. (@markhkinak) September 27, 2023
It's worth mentioning that the Chevrolet Bolt EV was also used for testing, although no photographic evidence of this particular vehicle in action has surfaced.
The CCS1-compatible Supercharger in Alaska, located in Chugiak near Anchorage, represents a significant addition to the charging infrastructure in the state. Notably, it is one of the two Tesla EV charging stations in Alaska, with the other station in Soldotna exclusively offering NACS plugs compatible with Tesla vehicles.
In a move towards greater interoperability, Rivian announced a deal in June that will allow owners of its R1S SUV, R1T pickup, and future R2-based models to use any Tesla Supercharger in the United States and Canada starting in 2024, facilitated by an adapter. Furthermore, Rivian intends to equip all its passenger vehicles with the NACS connector from the factory beginning in 2025, eliminating the need for an adapter altogether.
This expansion of compatibility is not limited to Rivian alone. Several other automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and Volvo, have also announced deals with Tesla to allow their CCS-equipped electric vehicles to utilize Tesla's Magic Dock Superchargers across North America. To enhance user convenience, some of these automakers have even updated their vehicles' software to display CCS1-compatible Superchargers on the navigation screen.
As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, these developments signify a step towards greater convenience and accessibility for EV owners, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and compatibility in the charging infrastructure landscape.
