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

In January, Kia EV homeowners found a loophole to accessing Tesla’s supercharger community by designating their automobiles as Hyundai fashions inside the Tesla software. 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 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 might doubtlessly hurt car batteries. It does appear that Tesla is exhibiting its dedication to sustaining management over the charging infrastructure. 

It could have been nice for Kia homeowners 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 tools or potential compatibility issues that might have an effect on community reliability. It might additionally be sure that paying clients have precedence entry to Superchargers throughout peak use occasions. Entry that isn’t licensed could result in congestion or longer wait occasions.

This isn’t the primary time non-Tesla homeowners have sought technique of entry to Tesla’s Supercharger community. In Europe, Tesla Superchargers use the CCS2 charging customary, which is extra sometimes adopted throughout completely different car manufacturers. Nonetheless, in 2020, some non-Tesla homeowners in Europe discovered that they might cost their automobiles at Tesla with out authorization. This was doable for the reason that Superchargers had CCS2 connectors, in order 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 homeowners 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. 

Lovers 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 mentioned there could be outrage if the gasoline station acted the identical manner. Others claimed that open entry ought to be given since worldwide Superchargers already present common entry. Kia homeowners 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. Homeowners 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 possibly can think about the way it felt that their transfer to dam the loophole was pointless presently. 

Conversely, you possibly can think about how the vast majority of Tesla homeowners have welcomed the change, as they’ve lengthy been involved about congestion conditions on the Supercharger stations. As extra individuals change to EVs, there’s a fixed fear of longer wait occasions at widespread charging stations. Tesla homeowners 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 exceptional on the planet of inner combustion. In fact, you might argue that subscription charges have created a sense of possession. That is to the extent that some are apprehensive that permitting non-Tesla fashions to cost with out authorization could result in questions of safety, together with overloading and overheating. 

Tesla closing the loophole exhibits the rising demand for unified charging methods. The vast majority of EV homeowners imagine that the extra their automobiles 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 limiting entry really feel disingenuous to different electrical car homeowners. 

Efforts are already underway to standardize charging connectors and protocols that might 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 akin to Ford and Normal Motors to open the Supercharger networks is a step on this path. So Tesla’s transfer to shut the loophole could possibly be momentary within the grand scheme. 

Whereas the ingenuity of some EV homeowners to entry the Supercharger community exhibits a proactive strategy to overcoming infrastructure issues, it additionally exhibits the importance of going by the correct channels. Because the market grows, making certain charging infrastructure is accessible would require a concerted strategy from all stakeholders.

Nicholas Muhoro is an automotive journalist overlaying automotive information and has a decade of expertise sharing working at HotCars and TopSpeed. You possibly can 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