Tesla US charging network access + adapters

[daveo4EV]

I used a Tesla charger over this past weekend. Porsche navigation directed me this Tesla charger location in Jackson, CA. I was skeptical it would work but since I needed to charge I proceeded to the charger. I arrived at the chargers and, using my Lectron adapter, plugged in my Macan hoping that Porsche had secretly been granted access to plug and charge; nothing happened. I then saw a gentleman with a KIA beginning to charge so I talked to him and he informed me that if I download the Tesla app I should be able to use the chargers. After downloading, logging in, and following the simple instructions I was able to charge at well over 100 KW. One question I have is, is this set of chargers special or am I now able to charge at any Tesla charger using the Tesla app? I will try charging at a Tesla charger near my home to try and answer this question.

as noted by other's - MagicDock site - this is not news and a not a general opening of the supercharger network…all MagicDock Supercharger sites allow all CCS1 EV's to charge…this has always been the case…

note to OP @Rocket Roger - the Porsche Navigation lists Tesla Supercharger sites - not all of them are MagicDock - beware following the porsche navigation to a Tesla Supercharger site - as you may end up at a site that is "yet to be open" to VW/Audi/Porsche…the PCM navigation does _NOT_ filter MagicDock vs. non-MagicDock sites and therefore will mislead you…

one example: Capitolia, CA - this site is listed in my Macan's PCM Navigation - but it is _NOT_ a MagicDock site, and to date you will not be able to start a charging session at this site even with your own adapter…

this posting is not news - it's just someone using a Tesla MagicDock site and simply not aware that it's complicated to pick/choose supercharger sites given that VW/Audi/Porsche at not yet authorized for general access to Superchargers…

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[Rocket Roger]

Yup, you’re right. According to Tesla that Supercharger is open to all EVs. The use of the Lectron adapter was not necessary.

An adapter was necessary since the charger only had the NACS plug! The guy with the KIA who was charging also used an adapter. Therefore, I believe this was not a Magic Dock charger.

 

[Rocket Roger]

as noted by other's - MagicDock site - this is not news and a not a general opening of the supercharger network…all MagicDock Supercharger sites allow all CCS1 EV's to charge…this has always been the case…

note to OP @Rocket Roger - the Porsche Navigation lists Tesla Supercharger sites - not all of them are MagicDock - beware following the porsche navigation to a Tesla Supercharger site - as you may end up at a site that is "yet to be open" to VW/Audi/Porsche…the PCM navigation does _NOT_ filter MagicDock vs. non-MagicDock sites and therefore will mislead you…

one example: Capitolia, CA - this site is listed in my Macan's PCM Navigation - but it is _NOT_ a MagicDock site, and to date you will not be able to start a charging session at this site even with your own adapter…

this posting is not news - it's just someone using a Tesla MagicDock site and simply not aware that it's complicated to pick/choose supercharger sites given that VW/Audi/Porsche at not yet authorized for general access to Superchargers…

Try charging at the Capitola site by using the Tesla app.

 

[daveo4EV]

Try charging at the Capitola site by using the Tesla app.

I have it doesn't work - I check it routinely - I often charge at the near by Scott's Valley MagicDock site - it works great - I have since it was upgraded and I had my 2020 Taycan…there years ago…

we have to wait - the supercharger network is not yet generally available for VW/Audi/Porsche EV's - this is a confusing situation and most customers don't understand that there are three types of supercharger sites:

1. MagicDock sites - all CCS EV's can charge there and require no agreement - being able to charge a Macan there is not news
2. NACS Partner enabled sites - only EV/vendors (Ford, Rivian, Lucid, etc) that have an "agreement" with Tesla can charge there
3. Tesla only - Urban/V2 (some restricted sties) - these sites are not open to non-Tesla's - for various hardware and other reasons these sites will most likely remain Tesla only for the foreseeable future…

MagicDock sites are the smallest subset of the entire North American supercharger network and access varies widely regionally…

until Tesla/VW-Audi-Porsche announce/complete their North American agreement - you can only charge your Macan/Taycan at MagicDock enabled sites

you can find MagicDock sites at:

https://www.tesla.com/findus?filters=open_to_all_evs_superchargers

there are only 5 sites in all of California that are MagicDock sites where all EV's will work.

Porsche's PCM Navigation lists far more sites that are supercharger sites - but does NOT filter them to MagicDock sites - your Taycan/Macan will _NOT_ be able to charge at all PCM listed sites until Tesla/Porsche finish/complete their agreement.

I pity anyone relying on the PCM navigation listing of charging sites arriving at a Tesla supercharger with an adatper and then failing to activate a charging session - it will be a very very frustrating experience.

we need to wait for Tesla/VW-Audi-Porsche have completed their agreement/activation - after that you wil have general access to all NACS-Partner sites - not just MagicDock sites

NOTE: that still will not include _ALL_ supercharger sites - just most sites - only V3/V4 Superchargers are compatible with CCS vehicles - Urban Superchargers and V2 Superchargers can not host CCS Vehicles - as to if/when Tesla will enable those sites that is pending infrastructure/software changes from Tesla who's plans in this space are unannounced.

 

[daveo4EV]

Try charging at the Capitola site by using the Tesla app.

https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/t...percharger-access-sometime-this-decade.23349/

 

[daveo4EV]

at this point in time if you are able to charge your Taycan/Macan at a Supercharger site that is also not a MagicDock site it is because:

• software bug in tesla's activation systems
• "soft open" because we are on the cusp of the "formal" annoucement
• "site specific" for testing reasons
• you got lucky for some reason

until further notice…

• if it works for you great!
• but if you plan to rely on this you need to be prepared to be sorely disappointed because it may not work and no one will hear you cry when you can't activate a session at a non-MagicDock site

you've been warned.

 

[dbsb3233]

An adapter was necessary since the charger only had the NACS plug! The guy with the KIA who was charging also used an adapter. Therefore, I believe this was not a Magic Dock charger.

If you've never used a Magicdock Supercharger before, you might just not have realized there's a built-in adapter available within the handle holster. If you just pull the NACS handle out like normal, it just comes out like it's ready to charge a Tesla. But if you hold the handle button for 2 seconds while it's still in the holster, it locks it to the adapter and the whole thing comes out of the holster.

Here's another video. Look at the 5 minute mark. He struggles a bit with it until he figures it out.

 

[Rocket Roger]

If you've never used a Magicdock Supercharger before, you might just not have realized there's a built-in adapter available within the handle holster. If you just pull the NACS handle out like normal, it just comes out like it's ready to charge a Tesla. But if you hold the handle button for 2 seconds while it's still in the holster, it locks it to the adapter and the whole thing comes out of the holster.

Here's another video. Look at the 5 minute mark. He struggles a bit with it until he figures it out.

Tim, thank you for posting the video on the Magic Dock, I had not seen one before. I found some photos of the chargers at the site in Jackson, CA where I charged and at least a couple of them have the Magic Dock so I must have just pulled the NACS plug out without the Tesla adapter and used my own.

 

[daveo4EV]

Tim, thank you for posting the video on the Magic Dock, I had not seen one before. I found some photos of the chargers at the site in Jackson, CA where I charged and at least a couple of them have the Magic Dock so I must have just pulled the NACS plug out without the Tesla adapter and used my own.

Jackson is a Magicdock site which why your Macan "worked"

the other MagicDock sites in California are:

Scotts Valley, CA
Jackson, CA
Placerville, CA
Roseville, CA
Carson, CA

no other Supercharger sites in California are "supposed" to work "yet" for VW/Audi/Porsche - that doesn't mean they won't - it just means they are not announced or expected to work - and to date I have failed when I've tried non-MagicDock sites - but YMMV…

 

[alxman]

A Porsche branded NACS to CCS adapter is listed in the My Porsche app, Owner’s Manual, Charging equipment. I do not believe it’s for sale yet. I doubt it will be available for free, not Porsche’s style! I wonder whether they will require us to use this one instead of other options citing that the warranty will be voided in case of damage to the charging system? I doubt it. In any case, I’m glad I only bought a level 2 adapter since I still can charge for free until next year.

 

[Paris92]

A Porsche branded NACS to CCS adapter is listed in the My Porsche app, Owner’s Manual, Charging equipment. I do not believe it’s for sale yet. I doubt it will be available for free, not Porsche’s style!

Really interesting. I do not have that option in my app. That last line item is not there.

Agree. I don't think it will be free.

 

[Greybeard72]

Mine just updated the list of charging options in the manual and the adapter is now there. You have to actively download that portion of the manual and then click or 'tap' on the different chapter headings and it'll start describing the NACS CCS adapter. It doesn't say if and/or when or how to acquire it. It just lists it as one of the charging options.

 

[Greybeard72]

Jackson is a Magicdock site which why your Macan "worked"

the other MagicDock sites in California are:

Scotts Valley, CA
Jackson, CA
Placerville, CA
Roseville, CA
Carson, CA

no other Supercharger sites in California are "supposed" to work "yet" for VW/Audi/Porsche - that doesn't mean they won't - it just means they are not announced or expected to work - and to date I have failed when I've tried non-MagicDock sites - but YMMV…

This is interesting. My route planner only lists a small subset of the Tesla DC chargers. I look at the Tesla app/map and it lists many other V3 DC chargers that don't pop up on my Route planner. I almost tried one (suggested by the Macan planner) on a long drive but decided I could make it without trying to charge. I had not, at the time, seen the video on managing the magic docks so have no clue as to whether I needed an adapter or if it had a magic dock. Either way, I posted below that the manual on the app now lists a NACS adapter. Nothing said about when or where available.

 

[alxman]

Has anyone heard any updates regarding the above?? My sales guy told me last week that today, which has 3 hours left, would be when we get a communication announcing access to the US Tesla charger network and how to get the Macan adapter mailed to our home (for free).

Have not seen any communication yet…

A Porsche branded NACS to CCS adapter is listed in the My Porsche app (see above post). I hope your dealer SA is right and it is going to be free, but I doubt it! Lol

 

[skshimer]

Looks like we are on our way. I drove a Model S for 5 years all over the East coast. The Tesla network was always ready to go. Free or not, I will get the adapter. After all, it is a $90-135k car.

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