BMW Jumps on the NACS Bandwagon: Supercharger Access Now Open for Bavarian EVs in the U.S.!

TL;DR: BMW drivers in the U.S. can finally juice up at Tesla Superchargers! This makes BMW the 15th automaker to adopt NACS, linking their EVs to over 2,000 stations. Just remember, some need adapters, and a few models gotta wait a little longer. Step right up, the charging party is getting bigger!

Meta: BMW electric vehicle owners in the U.S. can now access Tesla's Supercharger network, marking a significant expansion for NACS and leaving only Stellantis among major automakers still pending.

Alright, alright, settle down now, because I got some news that's gonna make some of you Bavarian-loving EV drivers do a little dance! BMW, the last holdout in the fast lane, has officially joined the Tesla Supercharger network in the U.S. That's right, as of December 10th, your i4, i5, i7, and iX can now tap into over 2,000 Supercharger stations and 25,000 stalls across North America. It's like the biggest potluck in EV history, and everybody's bringing their own charger (or adapter, in this case!).

The Adapter Life: Plugging In with a Twist

Now, before you go ripping off your charging port cover, there are a few caveats. Most current BMW models will need a NACS adapter to plug into those Tesla stalls. BMW says their official adapters won't be ready until Q2 2026, so for now, you'll need a BMW-approved third-party option like Lectron. But hey, if you find a Supercharger with Tesla's "Magic Dock" – that's the one with a built-in CCS-to-NACS adapter – you're golden! No extra hardware needed, even for older models like the i3 (though the i3 is limited to only Magic Dock sites, so don't get too crazy).

And for those lucky ducks getting a new Bimmer, starting with the 2026 i5 M60, BMW is gonna integrate native NACS charging ports right from the factory. So, no adapters, no fuss, just plug and charge like it was meant to be. Some 2026 iX and i5 models will need a remote software update in Q2 2026 for compatibility, so it's a bit of a rolling rollout. Patience, young Jedi, patience!

Plug & Charge: No Apps, Just Power

One of the coolest things about this hook-up is that BMW's existing Plug & Charge feature is now working at compatible Superchargers. That means no messing with apps to start charging; it just handles the authentication and billing automatically. You will, however, need a Shell Recharge account linked up before your first session. Think of it as your charging passport, consolidating payment and history across multiple networks. With Supercharger access, BMW drivers can now hit over 180,000 public charging points in North America, including partners like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint. That's more options than flavors at a Baskin-Robbins!

This move leaves Stellantis as pretty much the last major automaker still twiddling its thumbs on NACS adoption, way behind pioneers like Ford who kicked off this industry-wide shift more than two years ago. It’s a clear sign that the NACS standard is rapidly becoming the industry norm in North America, making life a whole lot easier for EV owners everywhere.

What’s Next

We'll be looking for confirmation on when Canadian BMW owners will get their Supercharger access, and watching for the official BMW-branded adapters in Q2 2026. This expanded access is a huge win for EV drivers, reducing range anxiety and making long-distance travel much more feasible. It also puts pressure on the remaining holdouts to get on board. The charging landscape is changing fast, and BMW is finally riding the wave.

So go on, hit the road, and don't forget your adapter!