# The Transformation of EV Charging: A Bolt EUV’s Experience with Tesla’s Supercharger Network
Eating a breakfast quesadilla in your car might not seem thrilling at first. However, when that quesadilla comes from Wawa, you’re inside a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and you’re using a Tesla Supercharger, the thrill is undeniable. This moment signals a pivotal change in the electric vehicle (EV) scene, where General Motors (GM) cars can now tap into Tesla’s vast Supercharger network, all thanks to a NACS/CCS adapter. For numerous non-Tesla EV drivers, this is a significant breakthrough.
## The Past Era: Challenges Faced by Non-Tesla EV Owners
Prior to GM’s adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) and Tesla’s choice to invite other EVs to its Supercharger network, road trips for non-Tesla EV owners were often riddled with uncertainty. The charging infrastructure outside of Tesla’s network was, and remains, inconsistent at best. Charging stations from providers like Electrify America, ChargePoint, and EVgo are spread throughout the country, but their reliability and availability have varied significantly.
As a Bolt EUV owner, I have personally felt the frustration. Throughout the past year, I embarked on multiple road trips that necessitated DC Fast Charging (DCFC). The Bolt, being one of the slower-charging modern EVs, demands careful planning. Battery levels, nearby facilities, and crucially, the dependability of the charging station must all be considered. Applications like *A Better Route Planner* and *PlugShare* are indispensable, yet even with meticulous planning, issues can arise.
### A Chronicle of Charging Nightmares
In just a single year of having a Bolt, I’ve gathered a collection of charging mishaps:
– **Thanksgiving Weekend:** Three separate highway stops with long lines of cars, putting our pick-up time at the dog boarding facility in jeopardy.
– **Electrify America Station:** One car’s poor parking had every other vehicle blocking two functional plug spaces.
– **Outlet Malls:** While these EV hotspots are often reliable non-Tesla charging locations, they come with the drawback of overwhelming retail chaos.
– **Hotel Parking Lot:** Out of four ChargePoint level 2 chargers, only one was operational, and even that took 15 minutes to start charging.
– **State-Sponsored Charging Spot:** Only three out of five plugs worked, and then just one after a mid-charge malfunction, forcing me to negotiate with a concert-goer on their way to a Dave Matthews performance who pleaded with me to swap spots so his wife wouldn’t miss the opening song.
The causes of these failures are numerous—damaged cables, malfunctioning screens, app glitches, or electrical issues—but the outcome is invariably the same: annoyance and the necessity for an alternative plan.
## The Advent of Tesla’s Supercharger Network
Here’s where Tesla’s Supercharger network plays a vital role. For non-Tesla EV drivers, accessing this network feels like discovering a vital resource. Tesla’s Superchargers are celebrated for their reliability and thoughtful locations along highways, close to restrooms, snacks, and shopping venues. Unlike other networks, the Tesla app supplies real-time data on how many stalls are in use and functioning, alleviating the uncertainty that often accompanies other charging networks.
Nevertheless, gaining access to Tesla’s network does come with its hurdles. Non-Tesla EV drivers require a NACS/CCS adapter, which can be expensive (approximately $225 for GM’s official adapter). Moreover, the short cables at Tesla Superchargers are tailored for Tesla vehicles, which have their charging ports located at the rear. For the Bolt, with its charging port at the front-left, this can complicate parking and charging arrangements.
Despite these hurdles, the advantages of using Tesla’s network overwhelmingly surpass the inconveniences. On a recent journey from Washington, DC, to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I considered stopping at an EVgo station in Williamsburg, Virginia. While this worked out since we needed groceries, only two of the four chargers were operational. Had I opted for a Tesla Supercharger instead, I could have chosen from 12 available stalls, thus saving time and alleviating stress.
## The Evidence is in the Charging
On the way back, I resolved to utilize Tesla’s Supercharger network for the first time. Equipped with an A2Z Typhoon Pro adapter, I arrived at a Wawa Supercharger station. Initially, I encountered difficulty finding a parking spot where the short Tesla cable could reach my Bolt’s front-left charging port. However, a friendly Tesla owner advised me that I could park sideways behind the Supercharger stalls, allowing the cable to reach.
Once connected, the process was flawless. The Tesla app made initiating the charging session straightforward, and within 30 seconds, electricity was flowing. There were no complex displays or shared power sources—
