Kia EV Owners Had Found a Way To Trick Tesla's Supercharger System By Telling It You Have a Hyundai, But Tesla Closed The Loophole

Kia EV owners reportedly found a loophole into the Tesla supercharger network. However, Tesla opted to close the loophole to the dismay of many Kia owners who found the subscription charges more friendly than EVgo and Electrify America.

In January, Kia EV owners discovered a loophole to accessing Tesla’s supercharger network by designating their vehicles as Hyundai models within the Tesla application. This worked for Kias and Hyundais, who share the same E-GMP platform, making them indistinguishable from other Teslas. 

Tesla has since closed this loophole, so Kia drivers are no longer able to charge at Superchargers until it is rolled out. Tesla apparently closed the loophole to protect the network from risks associated with third-party adapters that could potentially harm vehicle batteries. It does seem that Tesla is showing its commitment to maintaining control over the charging infrastructure. 

It may have been great for Kia owners making a change to Ioniq 5 in the App to charge at the Superchargers, but unauthorized use may lead to increased wear and tear on equipment or potential compatibility problems that could affect network reliability. It would also ensure that paying customers have priority access to Superchargers during peak use times. Access that is not authorized may lead to congestion or longer wait times.

This is not the first time non-Tesla owners have sought means of access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. In Europe, Tesla Superchargers use the CCS2 charging standard, which is more typically adopted across different vehicle brands. However, in 2020, some non-Tesla owners in Europe found that they could charge their vehicles at Tesla without authorization. This was possible since the Superchargers had CCS2 connectors, so they were physically compatible. 

In 2023, Tesla also introduced the ‘Magic Dock’ at various Supercharger installations in North America. This was set up using a built-in CCS1 adaptor to allow non-Tesla EVs to charge at the stations. Though this was an official move by the brand to accommodate others, some EV owners have found ways to use the Magic Docks without going with the appropriate authorization process. This has led to unauthorized charging, and Tesla has responded by updating its software to detect or prevent unauthorized usage. 

Enthusiasts received the news with mixed feelings. Some sided with Tesla, saying they were right to secure their network, though others did not like the theme of exclusivity. One said there would be outrage if the gas station acted the same way. Others claimed that open access should be given since international Superchargers already provide universal access. Kia owners particularly unofficially expressed frustration, citing inadequate fast-charging options. 

Despite the improvements made to public charging networks, Tesla Superchargers are still more reliable than most third-party networks. Owners also argued that Tesla’s pricing was more competitive than EVgo or Electrify America. As Tesla was apparently to allow Kias onto the Supercharger network, you can imagine how it felt that their move to block the loophole was unnecessary at this time. 

Conversely, you can imagine how the majority of Tesla owners have welcomed the change, as they have long been concerned about congestion situations at the Supercharger stations. As more people switch to EVs, there is a constant worry of longer wait times at popular charging stations. Tesla owners who purchased the company-paid Supercharging subscriptions expressed that they should have priority access. 

It does sound a bit conceited, though, considering the same is unheard of in the world of internal combustion. Of course, you could argue that subscription fees have created a feeling of ownership. This is to the extent that some are worried that allowing non-Tesla models to charge without authorization may lead to safety issues, including overloading and overheating. 

Tesla closing the loophole shows the increasing demand for unified charging systems. The majority of EV owners believe that the more their vehicles become a mainstream option, the more access to high-speed charging should not be limited according to brand. So, Tesla owner opinions on restricting access feel disingenuous to other electric vehicle owners. 

Efforts are already underway to standardize charging connectors and protocols that could alleviate the challenges in the future. Similarly, partnerships between auto manufacturers and charging network providers may lead to more integrated or user-friendly solutions. Tesla's connection with companies such as Ford and General Motors to open the Supercharger networks is a step in this direction. So Tesla’s move to close the loophole could be temporary in the grand scheme. 

While the ingenuity of some EV owners to access the Supercharger network shows a proactive approach to overcoming infrastructure problems, it also shows the significance of going through the proper channels. As the market grows, ensuring charging infrastructure is accessible will require a concerted approach from all stakeholders.

Nicholas Muhoro is an automotive journalist covering car news and has a decade of experience sharing working at HotCars and TopSpeed. You can follow Nicholas on X and on LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow his news coverage at Torque News.

Image source: Grok AI