GM announced on September 19th that its EVs finally have access to the Tesla Supercharger network. This applies to all EVs that employ the BEV2, BEV3, and BT1 platforms. This news greatly increases the number of fast charging plugs available to GM EVs, bringing the grand total to more than 231,800 public Level 2 and DC Fast Charging stations across North America.
Since no GM EV has a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port, which is the type of plug Tesla Supercharger stations use, they require an adapter. General Motors strongly recommends using the official, GM-approved adapter, which is available to owners in the USA through the myChevrolet, myGMC, and myCadillac mobile apps for $225 USD. However, acquiring the official adapter isn’t so easy for Canadian GM EV owners.
Canadian drivers who want the adapter need to pre-order it through a local GM dealer. Starting now, Canadians can visit a dealer in person to pre-order the adapter for $310 CAD. With the current exchange rate, that is about the same cost as what drivers in the USA are paying for their adapters.
Of course, another option is to use an aftermarket adapter that allows you to charge an EV with a Combined Charging System (CCS) charge port using a NACS plug. However, if it can be proven that any internal parts of your car are damaged because of an aftermarket adapter, they won’t be covered by the factory warranty. Canadians who don’t want to mess around with an adapter could also wait for native NACS compatibility, which we expect to come to GM EVs starting for the 2026 model year.
The Tesla Supercharger network comprises over 50,000 plugs globally, about 17,800 of which are in North America. Tesla claims a Supercharger station can provide up to 200 miles of range in a Tesla EV in 15 minutes. GM claims that DC fast charging replenishes anywhere from 15 to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes, depending on the vehicle.
Since cold winters can significantly impact range and charging times, access to more fast charging stations will be a huge advantage for EV owners in Canada. It could even help bring down an often-cited barrier of entry for EV adoption.
Comments
Why would anyone in Canada buy an EV? The place is an oil lake and its as cold as pluto
Because gas is more expensive than the US and electricity is less expensive than the US and most of Canada has very clean electricity.
Also Canada is very rich in the resources needed to manufacture batteries and EV’s and a lot of recent investment has been going into Canada for this reason.
Many Canadians also see the great success of EV’s in Norway and how it’s a great model to emulate.
As for oil. Maybe its best is us Canadians don’t have to get high on our own supply. Better to export it to the laggards that are willing to pay more because they are too slow to update and improve their own infrastructure.
Electricity is super cheap here, so… owning an EV has been amazing.
Driving an ev in Canada is such a pleasure! I go up north for my road trips in my Bolt. DCFC stations every 50 miles and they actually work. Charging in Idaho and Montana is abysmal. Keep up the good work Canucks!