FYI: Ford’s Electric Vehicles Can Now Tap into Tesla’s Supercharger Network with Apple Maps and CarPlay
In a significant leap forward for Ford’s electric vehicle users, the automaker has announced that North American owners of the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E can now access Tesla’s Supercharger network using Apple Maps on CarPlay. This development is set to enhance the experience for users of Apple’s iOS 17 and beyond, blending convenience with cutting-edge technology.
### Enhanced EV Navigation Seamlessly with CarPlay
Ford’s recent update offers its EV owners a key feature: the ability to navigate to fast-charging stations equipped with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug by utilizing Apple Maps on CarPlay. This change, highlighted in a Ford blog post, comes without the need for any additional software updates. Owners are advised to set their charging network preference to NACS operators in their Apple Maps settings—an adjustment that needs to be made only once.
### Smart Features with a Twist
Once everything is set, Apple Maps on CarPlay efficiently plans a route, integrating suitable charging stops along the way. It even displays the projected remaining battery level at each charging point. However, the EV’s battery level communicates with your iPhone solely through a CarPlay connection, meaning those using their phone without CarPlay won’t see this data.
A particularly useful feature is the alert system within Apple Maps, which notifies drivers if a NACS to CCS adapter is needed at particular stations. Presently, Ford’s electric models are equipped with a CCS1 inlet, while Tesla’s Superchargers predominantly use NACS plugs. Although Ford models can charge at select Superchargers in the U.S. and Canada, an adapter remains a necessity.
### Addressing the Preconditioning Gap
Despite these advancements, there is a notable limitation. The current system fails to support en-route preconditioning via Apple Maps on CarPlay—an important process that prepares the battery for optimal fast charging conditions. Users aiming to harness this feature will need to rely on the car’s integrated navigation system. Android users with Google Maps on Android Auto do have this capability, presenting a distinct advantage. Furthermore, Ford confirmed that preconditioning won’t activate if there’s no Connected Navigation Subscription, or if the predicted arrival conditions fall below certain thresholds.
### Conclusion: A Step Forward with Room for Growth
Ford’s initiative to incorporate Apple Maps in its EV charging strategy underscores its commitment to enhancing user convenience and connectivity. While the absence of preconditioning on Apple Maps is a significant miss, the integration with Tesla’s Supercharger network is a promising start. As Ford continues to refine its offerings, the gaps in technology across platforms highlight ongoing opportunities for expansion and improvement.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
