Tesla’s Supercharger community has lengthy been thought-about the gold commonplace of EV charging in the USA — quick, dependable, and widespread. Now, BMW homeowners can lastly faucet into it. Tesla has opened its Supercharger community to non-Tesla EVs, and with the correct adapter, charging a BMW i4 (and different appropriate fashions) at a Tesla Supercharger is surprisingly simple.
Right here’s every little thing you’ll want to know.
The Adapter You Want: Electron Vortex Plus
The important thing piece of {hardware} that makes this potential is the Electron Vortex Plus, the newest adapter from Electron — an improve to their authentic Vortex mannequin. It bridges the hole between Tesla’s NACS (North American Charging Commonplace) port on the Supercharger cable and the CCS inlet in your BMW.
Construct high quality is spectacular. The adapter feels strong and well-engineered — not one thing you’d be afraid to throw in a bag or go away in your automobile. After a number of weeks of real-world use, it has carried out with no single difficulty.
Right here’s the way it works: one facet of the adapter accepts the NACS plug from the Tesla charger, and the opposite facet incorporates a CCS connector that plugs straight into your BMW i4. There’s a button on the underside to launch the adapter from the cable, and a swap on prime to disconnect it from the automobile.
Electron Vortex Plus specs at a look:
- Rated present: 500 amps
- Rated voltage: 1,000V
- Weatherproofing: IP67
- Working temperature vary: -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to 50°C)
- Weight: 2.1 lbs
- Certification: SGS accredited (rigorous third-party security testing)
In response to Lectron, the adapter additionally features a built-in thermal safety system. If it will get too heat throughout a session, it should throttle charging energy. If temperatures rise to a important degree, it should shut down the charging course of completely — a sensible security function that protects each the adapter and your automobile. You should purchase the adapter right here.
Not All Superchargers Are Created Equal — Know Earlier than You Plug In
Tesla’s Supercharger community spans three generations: V2, V3, and V4. Past variations in charging velocity, there’s a sensible distinction value figuring out: older V2 stations sometimes have the charging cable positioned on the left facet of the unit, which was designed for Teslas with their port on that facet.
At newer or better-configured stations, you’ll discover charging cables on each the left and proper sides of the stall, permitting non-Tesla autos — just like the BMW i4 with its right-side CCS port — to park in a single house and cost with out awkward cable stretching. When scouting a Supercharger location, it’s value checking the station structure prematurely.
Is Your BMW Appropriate? Verify Earlier than You Go
Right here’s the necessary caveat: not each BMW EV is at the moment plug-and-play prepared for Tesla Superchargers.
The BMW i4 works immediately. Nonetheless, fashions just like the 2026 BMW iX and the BMW i5 require a software program replace earlier than they will entry the Tesla Supercharger community. BMW USA has confirmed that the OTA replace is predicted to roll out inside the subsequent month or two.
examine in case your BMW is prepared:
1. Open the My BMW app
2. Choose your automobile profile
3. Navigate to the Charging part
4. Search for an possibility so as to add a DC or AC adapter
If the choice is there, you’re good to go. If it isn’t, your automobile probably wants the software program replace. It’s additionally value noting that some customers have reported success plugging in with out the adapter possibility seen within the app — the Tesla app technique (defined under) should work in these instances.
When you’ve added the adapter within the My BMW app, the app will allow you to filter charging stations and establish which Tesla Supercharger places are appropriate with BMW autos.
Two Methods to Cost Your BMW at a Tesla Supercharger
Methodology 1: Plug & Cost through My BMW App
That is the extra seamless possibility for normal use. Arrange a Shell Recharge contract by the My BMW app. As soon as configured, the contract syncs to your automobile’s system. If you plug in at a appropriate Tesla Supercharger, the session begins routinely — no app fumbling required. Charging standing will seem each within the My BMW app and in your automobile’s show.
Methodology 2: Use the Tesla App
This technique works even in case you don’t have the plug-and-charge setup configured but.
1. Pull as much as the Supercharger station
2. Open the Tesla app
3. Discover the charging station within the app
4. Choose your particular stall (e.g., Stall 4A)
5. The session will provoke — plug in and also you’re charging
What Does It Price?
Pricing at Tesla Superchargers varies by time of day. Throughout peak hours, anticipate to pay round 63 cents per kWh. Off-peak charges drop to roughly 36 cents per kWh — a big distinction if in case you have flexibility in your schedule.
Tesla additionally affords a month-to-month membership plan that additional reduces your per-kWh price, which might be value contemplating in case you plan to make use of the Supercharger community often.
Actual-World Efficiency
Testing in sub-40°F situations, the Electron Vortex Plus carried out with out difficulty. Charging speeds on the BMW i4 have been in keeping with what you’d anticipate at a typical CCS community — no degradation attributable to the adapter. Chilly climate didn’t seem to have an effect on the adapter’s performance, although as with all DC quick charging, battery pre-conditioning may also help optimize your charging price in low temperatures. The best charging situations, as with every EV, are within the 70–80°F vary for peak efficiency.
Numerous Charging Choices Right this moment
The Tesla Supercharger community is now a official possibility for BMW EV homeowners, and the Electron Vortex Plus makes accessing it easy and dependable. Between the Supercharger community, Ionna (which continues to increase), and Electrify America, the charging infrastructure accessible to BMW EV homeowners is stronger than ever — making longer street journeys far much less of a priority.
In the event you run into any points charging your BMW at a Tesla Supercharger, drop your expertise within the feedback. We’ll do our greatest to deal with frequent issues and may relay suggestions on to BMW’s US charging workforce.
