MINI EVs Getting Tesla Supercharger Access in North America: Timeline & Adapter Info

[DimON]

In the world of EVs, charging access is everything. And soon, MINI owners will finally get the golden ticket: access to Tesla’s vaunted Supercharger network. But—like most things in the automotive industry—it’s going to take some time.

MINI, through its parent BMW Group, will officially adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS), the Tesla-designed plug that’s quickly becoming the de facto standard across North America. Access to the Tesla Supercharger network will roll out for MINI owners later this year, with a few caveats and a healthy dose of patience.

What’s Coming and When

According to a BMW dealer bulletin sent out October 1, existing BMW EV owners—specifically those with the CCS charging port—will have to wait until the second half of 2025 to tap into the Supercharger network. That’s because charging compatibility will require a BMW & MINI-certified adapter, which won’t be available until later next year. We’ve been told that the same will apply to the US spec Countryman SE as well.

The good news? Both BMW and MINI are working on making this a seamless transition. Once available, current owners will have the option to purchase the adapter. Meanwhile, newly built MINI EVs will eventually come from the factory with the adapter included, cutting out the wait and adding convenience right out of the box.

Why the Delay?

Blame it on precision—and a little bit of perfectionism. BMW (and by extension, MINI) is taking its time to ensure full compatibility with the Tesla system. The adapter, after all, is the linchpin. If it doesn’t work flawlessly, you could end up with frustrated drivers stuck at a Supercharger with software gremlins or worse, a failed session.

As a recent dealer bulletin puts it: “It is recommended to exclusively use charging stations equipped with CCS1/J1772 connectors” until the NACS transition is complete.

It’s a frustrating wait for some, but arguably the right move. Rushing the rollout might win headlines, but not hearts—especially not among early adopters used to Tesla’s plug-and-play ease of use.

The Bigger Picture

MINI isn’t alone in this. As BimmerFile reported in 2023, BMW Group is fully on board with the NACS transition, following similar moves by Ford, GM, and others. This isn’t just a Tesla thing anymore—it’s the new North American industry standard.

For MINI, a brand that has always thrived on personality and clever engineering, the switch to NACS is a logical (if slightly overdue) step. It adds real-world usability to an EV lineup in the US.

Eventually we expect MINI to offer all North American spec electric vehicles the NACS port by default either with the U25 refresh in 2027 or with the all new line-up around few years later.

The post MINI EVs Getting Tesla Supercharger Access in North America: Timeline & Adapter Info appeared first on MotoringFile.

View the full article