BMW EVs Can Now Use Tesla Superchargers — This Is Really About APIs, Not Cars
BMW EVs in the US now have access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. On the surface, this looks like a consumer convenience win. Underneath, it’s a textbook case of platform convergence.
Tesla’s Superchargers used to be a vertically integrated stack:
proprietary connector
closed authentication
Tesla-only billing
Tesla-controlled routing logic
BMW’s inclusion means Tesla had to open multiple layers at once — not just the plug.
What actually changed
Hardware
NACS ports on newer BMW models
certified NACS adapters for existing ones
Software / backend
Superchargers can now authenticate non-Tesla vehicles
billing is tied to BMW accounts, not Tesla apps
charging parameters are negotiated dynamically with BMW BMS
This is very similar to how payments or identity systems evolve: once you standardize the interface, vendors stop mattering as much as the protocol.
Why this matters
Charging networks are becoming utilities
Like cellular towers or payment rails, fast charging only scales when it’s shared.
Closed ecosystems don’t age well
Fragmented standards increase friction, reduce utilization, and push users elsewhere.
Data is the real asset
Interoperable networks generate better load forecasting, pricing models, and infrastructure planning.
UX follows backend standards
Once Superchargers appear in BMW route planning, range anxiety drops without adding new UI complexity.
Bigger picture
This feels like the EV industry replaying old tech history:
USB-C replacing proprietary ports
OAuth replacing custom auth
IP beating closed networking stacks
Standards win slowly, then all at once.
The interesting question isn’t why BMW joined Tesla’s network, but how long any automaker can justify running a closed charging system at all.
BMW EVs in the US now have access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. On the surface, this looks like a consumer convenience win. Underneath, it’s a textbook case of platform convergence.
Tesla’s Superchargers used to be a vertically integrated stack:
proprietary connector
closed authentication
Tesla-only billing
Tesla-controlled routing logic
BMW’s inclusion means Tesla had to open multiple layers at once — not just the plug.
What actually changed
Hardware
NACS ports on newer BMW models
certified NACS adapters for existing ones
Software / backend
Superchargers can now authenticate non-Tesla vehicles
billing is tied to BMW accounts, not Tesla apps
charging parameters are negotiated dynamically with BMW BMS
This is very similar to how payments or identity systems evolve: once you standardize the interface, vendors stop mattering as much as the protocol.
Why this matters
Charging networks are becoming utilities Like cellular towers or payment rails, fast charging only scales when it’s shared.
Closed ecosystems don’t age well Fragmented standards increase friction, reduce utilization, and push users elsewhere.
Data is the real asset Interoperable networks generate better load forecasting, pricing models, and infrastructure planning.
UX follows backend standards Once Superchargers appear in BMW route planning, range anxiety drops without adding new UI complexity.
Bigger picture
This feels like the EV industry replaying old tech history:
USB-C replacing proprietary ports
OAuth replacing custom auth
IP beating closed networking stacks
Standards win slowly, then all at once.
The interesting question isn’t why BMW joined Tesla’s network, but how long any automaker can justify running a closed charging system at all.