Kia EV House owners Had Discovered a Means To Trick Tesla’s Supercharger System By Telling It You Have a Hyundai, However Tesla Closed The Loophole

In January, Kia EV house owners found a loophole to accessing Tesla’s supercharger community by designating their autos as Hyundai fashions throughout the Tesla utility. This labored for Kias and Hyundais, who share the identical E-GMP platform, making them indistinguishable from different Teslas. 

Tesla has since closed this loophole, so Kia drivers are now not capable of cost at Superchargers till it’s rolled out. Tesla apparently closed the loophole to guard the community from dangers related to third-party adapters that would probably hurt automobile batteries. It does appear that Tesla is exhibiting its dedication to sustaining management over the charging infrastructure. 

It could have been nice for Kia house owners making a change to Ioniq 5 within the App to cost on the Superchargers, however unauthorized use could result in elevated put on and tear on gear or potential compatibility issues that would have an effect on community reliability. It will additionally be certain that paying prospects have precedence entry to Superchargers throughout peak use occasions. Entry that isn’t approved could result in congestion or longer wait occasions.

This isn’t the primary time non-Tesla house owners have sought technique of entry to Tesla’s Supercharger community. In Europe, Tesla Superchargers use the CCS2 charging normal, which is extra sometimes adopted throughout completely different automobile manufacturers. Nonetheless, in 2020, some non-Tesla house owners in Europe discovered that they might cost their autos at Tesla with out authorization. This was attainable for the reason that Superchargers had CCS2 connectors, so that they had been bodily appropriate. 

In 2023, Tesla additionally launched the ‘Magic Dock’ at numerous Supercharger installations in North America. This was arrange utilizing a built-in CCS1 adaptor to permit non-Tesla EVs to cost on the stations. Although this was an official transfer by the model to accommodate others, some EV house owners have discovered methods to make use of the Magic Docks with out going with the suitable authorization course of. This has led to unauthorized charging, and Tesla has responded by updating its software program to detect or forestall unauthorized utilization. 

Fans obtained the information with blended emotions. Some sided with Tesla, saying they had been proper to safe their community, although others didn’t just like the theme of exclusivity. One stated there could be outrage if the gasoline station acted the identical method. Others claimed that open entry must be given since worldwide Superchargers already present common entry. Kia house owners notably unofficially expressed frustration, citing insufficient fast-charging choices. 

Regardless of the enhancements made to public charging networks, Tesla Superchargers are nonetheless extra dependable than most third-party networks. House owners additionally argued that Tesla’s pricing was extra aggressive than EVgo or Electrify America. As Tesla was apparently to permit Kias onto the Supercharger community, you’ll be able to think about the way it felt that their transfer to dam the loophole was pointless at the moment. 

Conversely, you’ll be able to think about how the vast majority of Tesla house owners have welcomed the change, as they’ve lengthy been involved about congestion conditions on the Supercharger stations. As extra folks change to EVs, there’s a fixed fear of longer wait occasions at fashionable charging stations. Tesla house owners who bought the company-paid Supercharging subscriptions expressed that they need to have precedence entry. 

It does sound a bit immodest, although, contemplating the identical is unprecedented on the planet of inner combustion. After all, you would argue that subscription charges have created a sense of possession. That is to the extent that some are anxious that permitting non-Tesla fashions to cost with out authorization could result in issues of safety, together with overloading and overheating. 

Tesla closing the loophole reveals the rising demand for unified charging programs. The vast majority of EV house owners imagine that the extra their autos turn out to be a mainstream choice, the extra entry to high-speed charging shouldn’t be restricted in accordance with model. So, Tesla proprietor opinions on proscribing entry really feel disingenuous to different electrical automobile house owners. 

Efforts are already underway to standardize charging connectors and protocols that would alleviate the challenges sooner or later. Equally, partnerships between auto producers and charging community suppliers could result in extra built-in or user-friendly options. Tesla’s reference to corporations equivalent to Ford and Normal Motors to open the Supercharger networks is a step on this course. So Tesla’s transfer to shut the loophole could possibly be short-term within the grand scheme. 

Whereas the ingenuity of some EV house owners to entry the Supercharger community reveals a proactive method to overcoming infrastructure issues, it additionally reveals the importance of going by way of the right channels. Because the market grows, guaranteeing charging infrastructure is accessible would require a concerted method from all stakeholders.

Nicholas Muhoro is an automotive journalist masking automobile information and has a decade of expertise sharing working at HotCars and TopSpeed. You’ll be able to comply with Nicholas on X and on LinkedIn to remain in contact and comply with his information protection at Torque Information.

Picture supply: Grok AI