Volkswagen EVs can finally use Tesla Superchargers starting November 18th, after the better part of a year worth of delays getting the system up and running.
Ever since Tesla announced it would open its charging network in 2022 (calling the connector the North American Charging Standard, or NACS), we’ve been covering the gradual drip-drip of companies announcing NACS support and getting access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
This year was the year that we expected a big flood of vehicles to gain access, and several brands have throughout the year.
But one big exception has been Volts… I mean Volkswagen.
At the very beginning of the year, VW was one of the companies that announced imminent access. It said that cars would be able to use the network in March, then quickly corrected that to June.
But then June came and went, and we heard nothing further. We reached out to VW PR, and they couldn’t tell us either – only that an announcement was coming soon. Then we waited longer.
But now, the day is finally here. 10 months after VW’s original announcement that Supercharger access was coming soon, and 8 months after the initial (later corrected) date, VW ID.4 and ID.Buzz owners in North America will get access to Superchargers starting… in a week.
November 18 is the official activation date, after which those cars will be able to charge at 25,000 Supercharger locations – just in time for the Thanksgiving travel season.
Canadian owners also can access Superchargers on the same date (though that one came a little too late for Thanksgiving… you guys and your weird early Thanksgiving).
VW vehicles will have to use a NACS adapter in order to use the stations, and these are available for $200 from VW (or $304CAD in Canada). You can purchase them at your dealer or online at parts.vw.com. The NACS adapters are only intended for use with DC chargers, and not level 2 chargers like Tesla Destination Chargers.
Top comment by Marlon
"not every Supercharger can be used with non-Tesla cars, with usually the older stations being incompatible"
-Tesla really needs to fix their compatability by upgrading all superchargers so they are equally accessible.
ID.4 and ID.Buzz owners with a model year 2025 vehicle are eligible for a $100 rebate on the adapter, if they buy the adapter before July 15, 2026 and submit a rebate claim within 90 days. Model year 2026+ VW EVs will come standard with the adapter included.
Like all other makes that have access to Tesla Superchargers, VW owners can download the Tesla app to find compatible stations (not every Supercharger can be used with non-Tesla cars, with usually the older stations being incompatible) and arrange payment.
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