Starting this month, Tesla is including a new CCS adapter with all new Model S and Model X orders in Europe so that owners can take advantage of the growing CCS fast-charging networks on the old continent, according to an update on their website.

Update: Tesla responded to this story saying that the update on their website was inaccurate. It will not be standard and it’s unclear when it will be available as an accessory.

Tesla has always used its own proprietary charging connector in its vehicles to work with Supercharger network in North America.

In Europe, the company was using the Type 2 connector, but Tesla confirmed Model 3 is getting a CCS plug instead.

In December, the automaker started retrofitting European Supercharger stations with “dual charge cables” to support the existing connector and CCS standard.

This gave an advantage for Model 3 since it would be able to use both Tesla’s Supercharger network, as the company retrofits more stations, and new CCS charging networks, like Ionity and Fastned.

But at the time, Tesla also reassured Model S and Model X owners that a CCS adapter was coming for their vehicles.

Now Tesla has updated its charging connector support page in Europe to show that the new CCS adapter is standard on “all custom order Model S and Model X vehicles from February 1.” Update: Tesla now says that it was a mistake on their part and it will not be standard.

CCS ADAPTER STANDARD WITH DELIVERY MAX. CHARGE RATE AND ADDED RANGE PER HOUR** Yes, for Model S & Model X*** Up to 120 kW or 400-500 km Model 3 is equipped with a CCS port so no adapter is needed Note: the charge rate is limited by the car and not the adapter. CCS is the most common charging standard for European fast charging. Third parties operate public pay-to-use charging networks across Europe. The charge stations are equipped with a fixed cable, which can be directly plugged into Model 3. Model S and Model X need an adapter to connect to a CCS charge station. More info on CCS charging can be found in the Supercharger FAQ.

Tesla notes that owners are going to be able to charge at up to 120 kW with the adapter, or with the CCS port when it comes to Model 3, and that the limitation is “by the car and not the adapter.”

The company has yet to release a picture of this new adapter – picture above is of a Tesla CHAdeMO adapter.

The device is also not yet available to purchase for existing owners and it appears that it’s only standard on European sales.

We asked Tesla to clarify the situation and we will get back to you if we get an answer.

Update: The website was clearly updated to say that it is standard on new order: “From February 1, 2019, all custom order Model S and Model X cars will come with the CCS adapter as standard.” But Tesla now says that it was a mistake and it will not be standard. They don’t have a definitive date on when it will be available as an accessory.

Electrek’s Take

I think Tesla owners will still primarily use Tesla’s Supercharger network, but the adapter could still be useful to some thanks to the growing third-party networks.

The company is most likely making it standard in Europe because it would give an extra benefit to Model 3 buyers over Model S and Model X buyers, but I would assume that they will make the adapter available everywhere at some point since it can also be useful to some North American owners too.

The EVgo and Electrify America networks are starting to get a few stations that support Tesla’s charge rate and even though Tesla’s Superchargers will most likely be more convenient in most cases, you never know.

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