As the rollout of Tesla Supercharger access to non-Tesla EVs continues, it’s clear that every automaker has a slightly different way of doing things. Ford set a precedent by offering free NACS adapters to Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit owners, while GM is taking a different approach and selling adapters to drivers of its EVs. Hyundai’s taken its time to roll out Tesla Supercharger compatibility, but it seems like it’s worth the wait. All current CCS-equipped Hyundai electric vehicle owners, including those with the entry-level Kona Electric and the original Ioniq Electric hatchback, can get free Tesla Supercharger adapters next year.
Yeah, while a handful of other automakers are supporting Tesla Supercharging for models still in production, Hyundai is going even further back than that and will support its first EV sold in America. At some point in the first quarter of 2025, even owners of 2017 to 2022 Ioniq Electric hatchbacks will be able to order a free adapter and plug into V3 and V4 Supercharger stations. This opens up more than 20,000 DC fast chargers across America to Hyundai owners, although weirdly, those with Kona Electrics and 2017-2022 Ioniq EVs might benefit more than those with Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 EVs.
See, Tesla’s current Supercharger stations are all 480-volt stations, meaning that for the 358-volt Kona Electric, plugging in should be a direct connection. However, the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 both feature 800-volt architectures, and vehicles with 800-volt architectures usually don’t see the best charging speeds on voltage-limited chargers, and InsideEVs has already reported that an Ioniq 5 will be limited to a peak charging speed of 135 kW when using a Tesla Supercharger. That’s substantially less current than the 257 kW an Ioniq 5 can pull out of a capable CCS DC fast charger, so owners of the cheapest Hyundai EV will likely see the least discrepancy in output from a Tesla Supercharger compared to a CCS DC fast charger.
It’s also worth noting that non-N 2025 Ioniq 5 models will come with a NACS port built into the car, so charging through a CCS DC fast charger will require an adapter. However, a CCS adapter is included with these cars, meaning that everything most people need will already be on hand as soon as they get the keys. Still, if you’ve purchased or leased an electric Hyundai with a CCS port before Jan. 31, 2025, Hyundai will send you an adapter for free, and it’ll cover the postage. You’ll have to order it through the MyHyundai portal, but it shouldn’t cost you anything. Beyond that, Hyundai states that additional adapters can be purchased at dealerships, although no price has been given.
Here at The Autopian, we’re all for automakers continuing to support their older cars, and the fact that every electric Hyundai will soon be able to plug into a Tesla Supercharger feels like something worth getting excited about. Most of us don’t have the cash to splash on a brand new EV, so it’s great to hear that you can buy an Ioniq Electric for less than $13,000 and soon get Tesla Supercharger access. Moreover, if you already have an older Hyundai EV and don’t want to give it up, this whole situation feels like your lucky day.
(Photo credits: Hyundai)
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Random fact but those early models had subpar reduction gearbox design compared to other EV’s that somehow manages to foul the oil nigh instantly so changing that is important.
Awaiting “estate” (wagon) versions of E-cars. I mean affordable ones with decent range.
I mean, E-wagons should exist, since they don’t need the whole “truck” classification to be exempt from MPG standards.
My needs:
Most of these “estate” vehicles are not making it to the USA:
Here are a bunch:
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/nine-electric-estates-available-now-or-near-future
Hoping a bunch of them end up on ebay to drive the prices down.
The original Ioniq Electric is one of the most efficient BEVs ever produced, so if you want a cheap commuter with a reliable charging network, it just became an amazing option.
The converters are probably the ones by Lectron, and you can get one today for under $200. Not much for a car accessory honestly.
It’s a nice gesture by the manufacturer, but I’m guessing almost everyone who wanted one already got one.
Crazy how a 2017 car is considered “older” on here. Methinks the author might be spending too much time driving brand new press cars.
You’re probably thinking “2017 cars can’t be older. I remember when the 2017 models were new”
What that REALLY means is that you are getting old… like me!
Haha! I am getting old, but the newest car I’ve owned was a 2010, and that felt practically fresh off the lot!
Incidentally I bought the newest car I ever owned this past summer… a 2017 Ford C-Max Energi.
A big jump from my previous car… a 2008 Honda Fit.
GM’s starting to look real stingy for charging customers for adapters.
GM, Volvo, and Polestar.
Agreed, but GM made 140,000+ Bolts alone. That’s a LOT of free adaptors. I’m saying this as an owner who has to pay for one if I want one. I’m just going to wait until the prices drop. There is a huge controversy in the “community” over the adaptors. One example is that they aren’t yet rated by the government yet, but being sold. Quality and fit issues. Etc…
“Here at The Autopian, we’re all for automakers continuing to support their older cars”
Agreed –
Now let’s deal with outdated navigation systems – such as those ancient-when-new DVD-driven COMAND systems aboard older Mercedes-Benz.
I’m pretty sure smartphones have this on lockdown, even when compared to modern nav systems
Whaddaya talkin’ about? The sales guy at the dealer told me DVDs were the future!!!
most every older nav system has a carplay/AA adapter made for it now a days. It’s actually quite stunning how easy it is to upgrade most cars. It took like an hour to install one in my old S class and my wife’s old GLC. But I’ve seen them for systems as old as 100 series Land Cruisers
CarPlay wasn’t a thing when COMAND came out – and if you’ve ever seen the interface, it’s more closely related to DOS than any modern OS.
I know, these boxes hijack the video signal and run their own CPU. It’s real slick.
Car companies need to make the monitor on cars adaptable to whatever YOU use. Car companies are not navigation companies. They will never be good at it. But, I think they don’t want to be part of any lawsuit that claims they made it possible for a driver to watch porn or whatever, and caused a crash.
Should be able to use Google Maps (or waze, or shitty apple app) on that larger car monitor.
I also use my wife as the Navigation System. She uses her phone, which is connected to her car’s audio system, and the Google Maps tells me when to turn, usually a quarter-second too late.
My current car (2003) has no monitor, no nav. Good for me. I figure out how to get somewhere before I go, 20th Century-Style.
Oh, I use my phone too, and run the audio for streaming music and nav thru the bluetooth adapter to the stereo Aux input.
It’s just a waste of all that real estate to have a big blue screen that does absolutely nothing, and can’t even mirror what’s on the small phone screen.