Tesla Starts Retrofitting Superchargers With Magic Dock to Allow Other EVs to Charge

Tesla has started to install Magic Docks at several locations

No_Jimbo/Twitter

Tesla is installing the Magic Dock at several locations across the United States, just days after announcing it would expand its Supercharging network to support non-Tesla electric vehicles. The Magic Dock is an accessory that's retrofitted on Superchargers that contains a built-in CCS Combo 1 adapter to allow non-Tesla cars to charge at Supercharging stations.

After meeting with the Biden administration earlier this month, Elon Musk agreed to make at least 7,500 of its chargers available for use by any EV by the end of 2024. This agreement includes at least 3,500 of Tesla's 250-kilowatt Superchargers, and the slower Level 2 destination chargers.

Compatibility and the "Magic Dock"

Tesla's cars in North America use the company's proprietary standard (recently named NACS), so the Tesla-CCS1 adapter is crucial to make the Supercharging stations compatible with other EVs. The "Magic Dock" adapter attaches the CCS1 plug on top of Tesla's NACS plug, enabling non-Tesla EVs to charge at a maximum rate of 250 kW.

How the Magic Dock Works

While Tesla drivers can use the Supercharging stalls as usual, non-Tesla drivers must download the Tesla App, create an account, and sign in to use the "Charge Your Non-Tesla" feature. Once they select a stall, the "Magic Dock" will unlock the CCS1 adapter and attach and lock it to the NACS connector, and the charging process will begin. After charging is complete, the user simply returns the cable with the adapter to the stall. Once the cable is returned, the stall will automatically lock the CCS1 adapter back to the Magic Dock and unlock it from Tesla's NACS port. This creates a seamless and easy experience, regardless of which connector you're using. It also prevents the CCS1 adapter from being stolen.

The "Magic Dock" appears to be relatively simple to retrofit to all Tesla Supercharging stations in North America. However, there may be other issues related to the short charging cable's physical compatibility and the charging inlet's various locations in non-Tesla EVs.

Dock Blocking Concerns

Although Tesla's expansion of its Supercharging network to support non-Tesla EVs is a significant move, it has raised concerns over dock blocking, a phenomenon where non-Tesla EVs block Tesla charging stalls to use them.

Dock blocking could create problems for Tesla drivers, as the charging stalls they need will be occupied by non-Tesla EVs. While some non-Tesla EVs can connect if they park incorrectly, such as parking with the port on the front left, this will block the stalls needed for a Tesla to park on the side of them. Additionally, some non-Tesla EVs may park, taking two spaces to reach the short cable.

Finding Solutions

To prevent dock blocking, Tesla could consider solutions such as using longer cords, providing lockers for approved extension cords, or having parking spots on both sides of the Supercharger to let people park like Teslas on one side and forward cars on the other.

Alternatively, other companies could take advantage of Tesla generously opening up all of its charging technology.

Tesla's expansion of its Supercharging network to support non-Tesla EVs is a significant move that will enable more drivers to access its charging network. However, dock blocking is a concern that must be addressed to prevent frustration and backlash from Tesla drivers. With innovative solutions and further developments, Tesla can ensure the accessibility and convenience of its Supercharging network for all EV owners.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

• Manhasset, New York

• West Covina, California

• Los Angeles, California

• Houston, Texas

• Orlando, Florida

• Westmont, Illinois

• Tucson, Arizona

• Phoenix, Arizona

• Delaware

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Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10^th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.

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