How to Unlock Thousands of More Fast Chargers for Your Tesla!

0:00 Why I Got the Tesla CCS Adapter
1:09 EVgo Fast Chargers
3:52 Tesla CCS Charging Experience at EVgo
7:38 Final Thoughts on EVgo

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Would you spend $250 for the Tesla CCS adapter to unlock access to thousands of more fast charging stations for your Tesla? Although Tesla has the most fast charging stations in the US with 20,000+ stalls, there are a few reasons I decided to buy this Tesla CCS adapter. There are now 1M+ more Tesla vehicles on the road since the beginning of 2023. This means more Tesla vehicles to potentially take up a Supercharger spot if I may need it. Tesla has decided to open up its Superchargers to non-Tesla vehicles. This adapter simply gives me more charging options in the rare case that there’s not a Supercharger nearby. With this adapter I’m able to charge my Tesla on any third-party CCS fast charger which is the primary charging of most non-Tesla EVs. There are currently about 10,000 CCS fast charging stalls in the US, and EVgo is one of the the nation’s largest public fast charging networks with over 950 fast charging locations – currently serving more than 60 metro areas in over 35 states. EVgo fast chargers are constantly popping up all over the country so let’s do a quick overview of the EVgo app and how it works then we’ll test the CCS charging experience in my Model Y. Once you download the free EVgo app and create an account it’s super easy to get it set up. Just add a payment method and add your vehicle. For payments you can pay as you go or you can sign up for a paid EVgo subscription plan to unlock discounted charging rates. You’ll also automatically get access to their rewards program that allows you to earn points when you charge which can be redeemed for charging credit when you reach a certain amount of points. Tap on the charger on the map to get more details. The one I'll charge at is a 350 kW CCS charger. EVgo recently launched EVgo ReNew™, their company initiative designed to improve uptime and enhance the customer experience. It’s a comprehensive maintenance program designed to ensure stations across EVgo’s charging network meet quality and technology standards, with six core pillars that outline their approach to reliability. Nearly all EVgo stations put into operation in 2023 feature high-power 350 kW fast chargers to future proof the network. And 95% of all new stations include at least four fast charging stalls. And even better, EVgo will be adding North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors to its fast charging network across the country following announcements that most automakers will be using NACS starting in 2025. My 1st non-Supercharger CCS experience went way better than I had always imagined it. For us Tesla owners, we’ll still use Tesla Superchargers as our default charging option on trips, but I think this adapter + third-party charging networks like EVgo is nice to have for those times when a Supercharger isn’t available or not as convenient to use. For me, this is a $250 one-time insurance investment for my Tesla, giving me access to way more fast chargers just in case I ever need them. I’ll definitely be keeping it in my Model Y frunk and keeping the EVgo app readily accessible on my phone.

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[johnpoldo]

Tesla introduced this adapter a year ago and I immediately bought one to use like a “spare tire”. But, Tesla Superchargers are located everywhere we road trip and Tesla prices are lower.

Sadly, I’ve never used it. This video is making me try it to ensure it works.

[kevinpond]

EVgo should consider replacing the session fee with an idle and/or congestion fee. Prices shouldn’t encourage people to charge longer than necessary.

[MedicBarr]

6/10 for Orange Chicken??? this might be the first video I may have to dislike.... hahaha jk love you and your videos (and orange chicken!) =]

[Geckogold]

You really come to appreciate Tesla's dedication to design when you use a Supercharger compared to CCS. NACS is just so much easier to use due to its smaller size, while CCS is fairly large and clunky to operate.

[tomsullivan]

Andy, Great video, thanks I hadn't set that up but watching you I got my phone and set up my EVgo app. I'm ready to try it out and my Tesla adapter.

[b]

Make sure your Tesla is CCS capable. It is in the software under vehicle information. It will not work otherwise

[BrandonDoyleMN]

I’d consider this if alternatives were cheaper but paying $250 for something to use less reliable charging networks and pay more doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’d be nice to have for road trips in the off chance that a supercharger isn’t available but between the growing network and other manufacturers now switching to the NACS I think I’ll just wait it out

[gbinman]

I have and carry the adapter but haven't used it. I considered it cheap insurance.

[angelsl]

However, it is a very good option to be able to go to an EV go charging station when you’re about to run out of charge and there’s no Tesla charging station nearby. Definitely a plus.

[markwaters]

Big Island, here. The fastest charger on the island is 50kwh, and they barely maintain them (Shell). I do have the adapter though. I would say it's essential here. Tesla should offer it at time of purchase for those areas without superchargers (hint, hint). The Big Island would certainly benefit from having a couple of them even the slow 150's.

[wolfgangn.]

I bought mine from Amazon for 65$!! Rated for 250kwh

[Aundra]

I have it, but I've never used it. I live in Atlanta, and my nephew played football at Centre. I bought it because of your suggested reason for using it as a kind of spare tire for more options.

[richardmorin]

I bought the CCS adapter and like you I’ve never used it however, I’m thinking of it like a spare tire. You’ll be super glad you have it if you need it.

[gbinman]

that "chicken" should be in quotes

[austinwilliams]

Good luck finding an EVgo station that isn’t full of broken chargers

[ezpoppy]

I got the Tesla CCS adaptor some time ago. I’ve used it a couple times, mainly out of convenience than necessity. Worked flawlessly at the EA stations I’ve used.

Summer of ‘22, we took my wife’s VW ID.4 PRO to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trip went smoothly, though after we left St George UT, we traveled some very remote roads (read: no chargers) until we got to Kanab UT. We plugged into the ChargePoint there at the community center before heading down to an RV campsite near Jacob Lake. We plugged into the RV 240 volt outlet at our site for our several day stay. Same thing when we moved to Zion NP. RV outlets are an undiscussed, but very valuable, resource for EV charging!

Point being, if I want to take my ‘21 M3 SR+ on that trip, the adaptor would give me the confidence to do it!

Great video, Andy! 👍🏼

[The_DuMont_Network]

Wow! You found an EVGO charger in working condition! Hope you went and bought a lottery ticket. i've got an adapter, guess I should give it a shot.

[TheTekSone]

Thanks Andy! This gives me something to go by. I live in NV and there is are Tesla superchargers just about everywhere with the closest being 2 miles from me. I often wonder what other chargers charge for use and if I should stick with Tesla superchargers or try some other chargers like EVGo and ChargePoint. 9 out of 10 EVgo chargers in Vegas are closed temporarily. So not in a hurry to buy a CCS1 adapter. The Tesla supercharger by me is currently: 
16 stalls @ 250kW Max, I charge up during my lunch break so I can get Early bird prices
Early bird 10p - 11a @ .20¢ kWh
On-Peak 11a - 6p @ .31¢ kWh
Off-Peak 6p - 10p @ .25¢ kWh

[vinhhuynh]

Supercharge with NACS is so much more convenient to charge for the road trip .

[ViraajKSP_]

I Live in Europe and the Superchargers here are in CCS just like the Entrance of the Charger so I don't need it.

If I need I know where to find, lol.