Nissan Ariya owners will soon be able to charge on Tesla’s Supercharger network, giving them access to thousands of additional charging locations across the country. That said, the Ariya’s charging port design makes the process a little more complicated than that of other EVs.
Ariya owners will need an additional plastic piece to use a NACS adapter, but the good news is that Nissan includes the component in its $235 adapter kit. Additionally, the piece can remain installed, making it easier to charge after the initial installation.
The problem stems from the bottom two pin connectors in the Ariya’s CCS port. Unlike most vehicles, Nissan designed the plug with a space between the two connectors, necessitating the extra plastic piece. The Nissan adapter is otherwise identical to the units provided by other automakers.
Nissan’s future is uncertain and the Ariya hasn’t been the hottest-selling EV, but its charging times are competitive with the rest of the market. The automaker quotes 35 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent on a Level 3 DC fast charger. While many of the newest fast chargers reach speeds of 350 kW or more, Tesla Superchargers average 250 kW.
Though slower than some DC fast chargers, Tesla’s Superchargers generally offer a superior experience, with more reliable chargers and an intuitive process. Automakers like Ford and others have also integrated Superchargers with their native navigation and payment apps, making the process relatively seamless for non-Tesla owners.
[Images: Nissan]
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Source: The Truth About Cars
