MINI’s Tesla Supercharger entry story is lastly turning into actual for U.S. house owners and on this article, we’ll provide you with a full information of the charging expertise. In case your car helps Plug & Cost, charging your MINI can begin robotically if you plug in. And as an alternative of forcing house owners right into a separate Tesla membership, MINI ties Tesla Supercharging into the model’s present charging ecosystem: Tesla’s community is built-in with Shell Recharge-supported networks, so you possibly can entry and begin charging at Tesla Superchargers utilizing your Shell Recharge account immediately contained in the MINI App.
Verify Compatibility
First, verify your MINI is definitely suitable. This half is strict. MINI’s compatibility record breaks down like this:
- the MINI Countryman SE is suitable with NACS Companion Tesla Superchargers
- the MINI SE Hardtop is restricted to Magic Dock-equipped Tesla areas
- MINI PHEVs aren’t suitable with Tesla Superchargers in any respect.
That issues as a result of Tesla operates three forms of Superchargers, and solely two of them are related to a MINI:
- NACS Superchargers: these require a suitable NACS adapter in case your MINI has a CCS port.
- Magic Dock Superchargers: these have a built-in CCS resolution and may permit direct charging with out you bringing an adapter.
- Tesla-only Superchargers: older or restricted websites that stay Tesla-exclusive.
A easy rule saves you frustration: in case you’re sitting in entrance of a Supercharger and it doesn’t present up in your MINI App or your in-car navigation, deal with it as a Tesla-only website to your car. MINI’s map/app is successfully your compatibility filter.
What You Want Earlier than You Strive Charging
Should you personal a MINI Countryman SE ALL4 with a CCS port, charging at NACS stations is feasible utilizing an authorised NACS-to-CCS DC adapter. MINI has authorised the Lectron Vortex Plus for this job, and that approval is the important thing distinction between “a random third-party dongle” and an adjunct MINI is snug endorsing for high-power DC use.
The sensible guidelines is brief:
- A suitable MINI (Countryman SE for NACS Companion entry; SE Hardtop for Magic Dock solely)
- The NACS RSU software program enablement (model 25-11-530)
- The Lectron Vortex Plus (or the MINI-approved Lectron NACS-to-CCS DC adapter for Countryman fashions with CCS)
- The MINI App arrange with Shell Recharge so billing and cost historical past work appropriately
MINI additionally notes the rollout timing: the NACS RSU is predicted to start rolling out December 1, and in case you haven’t obtained it but, you must confirm eligibility and ensure your car’s software program is updated. Even after rollout begins, the replace can take just a few days to achieve your automotive.
How To Allow Tesla Supercharger Entry within the MINI App
That is the step many individuals miss, and it’s the one which makes Tesla stations seem appropriately in your routing and search outcomes.
- Open the MINI App and go to: Charging → Adapters → Add Adapter → choose “NACS (DC)”
When you do this, the MINI App and the car will allow NACS stations in search outcomes and navigation routing. Stations that require an adapter can be clearly flagged as “Adapter Required” when you choose them, and also you’ll additionally be capable of filter charging stations by connector sort for journey planning.
How To Use the Lectron Vortex Plus at a NACS Charging Station
As soon as the adapter is enabled within the app and also you’re at a suitable NACS station, the bodily course of is easy—however the “really feel” of the connection issues.
- Take away the charging cable from the station and connect your adapter to the connector. Press down firmly till it engages.
- Join the charging cable + adapter meeting to your MINI’s charging socket.
Watch the car’s charging indicator:
- Orange means it’s ready for charging initialization.
- Charging could take as much as 1 minute to provoke.
- When charging begins, the sunshine will flash blue to point out charging is in progress.
Disconnecting Accurately
To disconnect safely and cleanly, MINI’s order issues:
- Cease the charging session first, both within the app or utilizing the cease button subsequent to your charging socket.
- Press the higher launch button on the adapter and disconnect the charging cable along with the adapter.
- Then press the decrease launch button on the adapter and take away it from the charging cable.
Plug & Cost vs Beginning within the App
In case your MINI helps Plug & Cost—factory-equipped or retrofitted—you possibly can merely plug in and charging ought to begin robotically.
If charging doesn’t begin through Plug & Cost, MINI’s steering is to begin the cost utilizing the MINI App as an alternative. If that also doesn’t work, assume the stall often is the challenge and transfer to a different charger.
What About Non-Tesla Networks with NACS plugs?
This isn’t solely about Superchargers. NACS (North American Charging System) is Tesla’s connector commonplace, and charging networks corresponding to IONNA, EVgo, and ChargePoint are starting to assist NACS connectors as nicely, increasing charging choices past Tesla’s personal websites. For Countryman SE ALL4 fashions with CCS ports, the authorised NACS-to-CCS DC adapter is the bridge to these NACS-equipped stations too.
Charging Velocity, Pricing, and the One Payment That Can Shock You
Tesla Superchargers generally promote DC quick charging round 250 kW, however MINI is evident that your car determines the precise charging velocity primarily based on state of cost, outdoors temperature, and battery temperature. In different phrases, the charger can supply the aptitude, however your MINI controls what it takes. The 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 has a quick charging functionality of 130 kW.
On pricing, MINI’s integration follows Tesla’s commonplace pricing mannequin, however you don’t want a separate Tesla membership. Billing is dealt with by means of your MINI Shell Recharge account as soon as it’s arrange, and expenses will seem underneath Cost Historical past in your Shell Recharge Account Heart within the MINI app. Pricing varies by location, time of day, and demand.
The large factor to know up entrance is Tesla’s Congestion Charges at busy stations. MINI warns that in case you’re over 80% state of cost whereas the positioning is greater than 90% occupied, Tesla could apply a per-minute payment in case you proceed charging past 80%. You get a five-minute grace interval to unplug and depart earlier than charges apply.
Fast Troubleshooting If It Gained’t Begin
Most failures come right down to initiation or connection. MINI’s guidelines is principally: strive the best fixes first.
Be sure that the adapter is seated correctly—you must hear a click on when attaching it and a locking noise when plugging into your car. Maintain the adapter and charging port clear and freed from particles, and don’t use a connector that’s visibly broken. If issues persist, MINI buyer assist is 1-800-831-1117.
