The deals, which now make Tesla’s charging model the standard in the U.S. among the largest American automakers, will pressure competitors to ditch the primary competing standard, known as CCS.
By TOM KRISHER (AP Auto Writer)
DETROIT (AP) — Electric vehicles made by General Motors will be able to use much of Tesla’s extensive charging network beginning early next year.
In addition, GM will adopt Tesla’s connector, the plug that links an electric vehicle to a charging station.
GM joins Ford in shifting its electric vehicles to work with about 12,000 of Tesla’s roughly 17,000 chargers, and both Detroit automakers are pushing to make Tesla’s connector the industry standard. GM CEO Mary Barra and her Tesla counterpart, Elon Musk, made the announcement Thursday during a Twitter Spaces conversation.
Their discussion comes two weeks after Ford CEO Jim Farley joined Musk to announce that Ford’s electric vehicles would gain access to much of Tesla’s EV-charging network, the largest in the nation. Farley also said Ford would switch to Tesla’s connector rather than go with the connector used by the rest of the industry.
At the opening bell Friday, shares of Tesla Inc. jumped 6% to hit a new high for the year. General Motors Co. rose 3%, and Ford Motor Co. rose 2%.
The “KOREPlex” is expected to produce 6 gigawatt-hours of battery energy per year, enough to power 28,000 electric vehicles and replace 11.8 million gallons of gasoline.
Dealers are seeing more online car-shopping traffic but fewer leads.