By: Otaiba Ahsan

As Tesla’s charging network continues to grow, so does the availability of third-party charging stations that support their vehicles. Whether you’re planning a long road trip or simply want more flexibility when charging on the go, knowing how to use non-Tesla chargers can be a real advantage. However, compatibility can vary depending on your Tesla model, region, and charging hardware. Continue reading for steps on how to charge using third-party chargers for your Tesla.

Finding Third-Party Chargers

To show charging stations that aren’t Superchargers owned and operated by Tesla, tap Controls > Navigation > Third-Party Charging Stations using the touchscreen in your car. Your vehicle’s trip planner won’t automatically navigate to these stations, but you can add them to your route manually.

If you own a Tesla in the United States, then your car will be equipped with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge port, which was developed by Tesla as a company, and is quickly becoming popular at third-party stations. This is ideal for Tesla owners, as no adapters are needed, and it’s an easy plug-and-play.

Charging at Third-Party Chargers

If the third-party charger has an NACS cable, then in most cases you can simply plug in like you normally would. However, in addition to NACS, many third-party stations use CCS chargers. See the visual from Tesla to see what one looks like. If that’s the case, you’ll need a CCS Combo 1 Adapter which can be purchased directly from Tesla.

Additionally, other third-party chargers will require an SAE J1772 Charging Adapter which can also be bought from Tesla. However, this adapter is included with every Tesla vehicle delivery.

NOTE: Would you like to charge at a Supercharger instead? Read our comprehensive guide on how to charge your Tesla at a Supercharger for more.

The Bottom Line

The steps on how to charge using third-party chargers for your Tesla are simple. Do your research beforehand, and figure out what kind of charging cable will be present at the station. If it’s a CCS or J1772 setup, then you’ll need an adapter. However, if it’s the NACS cable then you should be able to plug in no problem.