BMW drivers can now access North American Charging Standard (NACS)–equipped charging stations, including Tesla Superchargers.

This guide walks you through how to charge at these stations using an approved NACS DC charging adapter. BMW recommends the Lectron Vortex Plus DC adapter for use with BMW vehicles. You can purchase this adapter from Lectron here:
https://www.ev-lectron.com/BMW

How to Configure the Adapter

To see NACS stations in your app and in-vehicle e-route planning, you’ll need to save your adapter in your My BMW app charging settings.

Open the My BMW app.

Scroll to Charging.

Select More.

Under Equipment, select Adapters.

Add and save the chosen adapter — in this case, NACS (DC).

Setup is now complete.

NACS stations will appear in your charging-station search results and will be included in your vehicle’s e-route planning and charging recommendations.

How to Start a Charge

You can start a charge at a Tesla Supercharger using either BMW’s Plug & Charge feature or the My BMW app.

Using Plug & Charge

With Plug & Charge, you don’t need to use a charging provider app or interact with the station. Simply plug in your BMW and walk away. Your vehicle automatically communicates with the charger and begins the session.

First, make sure Plug & Charge is activated. (See our other how-to video for instructions.)

Note: Not all BMW models support Plug & Charge. Visit bmwusa.com/modals/plug-and-charge.html for more information.

When parked at a Plug & Charge–capable station, a confirmation will display on iDrive indicating availability. All Tesla Superchargers support Plug & Charge through your Shell Recharge account.

Using the My BMW App

If your vehicle does not support Plug & Charge, you can begin charging via the app:

Select Charge Here.

Select the charger you are parked in front of.

Tap Agree and Begin Charging.

How to Use a NACS Adapter

Tesla Superchargers use a North American Charging Standard connector, so you’ll need to attach a NACS DC fast-charging adapter to the charging cable before connecting it to your BMW.

Remove the charging cable.

Connect the cable to your NACS DC adapter.

Once the adapter clicks into place, insert it into your vehicle’s charging port.

The charging light will illuminate yellow, then turn blue, indicating charging has begun.

When charging is complete:

Press the white button to stop the session and unlock the cable.

Disconnect the cable from your vehicle.

Remove the adapter by pressing the lower release button on the adapter.

Return the cable to the charging dock.

How to Use Magic Dock Stations

Some Tesla Superchargers include an integrated NACS-to-CCS adapter called the Magic Dock.

These stations are identified in the My BMW app under Charging Station Details.

To connect:

Wrap your hand around the connector.

Press and hold the release button for 2 seconds.

Push up on the handle to release the Magic Dock adapter along with the charging cable.

Insert the Magic Dock cable into your BMW’s charging socket.

The charging light will illuminate yellow, then turn blue, indicating charging has begun.

When charging is complete:

Press the white button to stop the session and unlock the cable.

Disconnect the cable from your vehicle.

Return the cable to the charging dock.

Would the i3. Be able to use NACS TESLA ?

so does that mean you have to take up 2 parking spots since the port is on the opposite side of the Tesla port? Or am I missing something? Bc you can't go nose first in bc the cord is not long enough?

GOLFFRR wrote

so does that mean you have to take up 2 parking spots since the port is on the opposite side of the Tesla port? Or am I missing something? Bc you can't go nose first in bc the cord is not long enough?

That’s the first thought that came to mind. I don’t know how these charge stations are set up with regards to layout (parking spot + charge block) but depending on how the charge station is set up, charging your BMW might be taking up spots and if that’s the case, you’re going to 100% cause issues with Tesla owners and wouldn’t even be surprised if that leads to some sort of vandalism to vehicles.

GOLFFRR wrote

so does that mean you have to take up 2 parking spots since the port is on the opposite side of the Tesla port? Or am I missing something? Bc you can't go nose first in bc the cord is not long enough?

There are some locations where I live that have standalone chargers, so not an issue if those are available. But we have so many locations that they’re usually available in bulk. I doubt it is a huge problem? Still a bit frustrating the charging port isn’t on the driver’s side in the states.

GOLFFRR wrote

so does that mean you have to take up 2 parking spots since the port is on the opposite side of the Tesla port? Or am I missing something? Bc you can't go nose first in bc the cord is not long enough?

Taking up two spots is mandatory, even for ICE cars.

You need to back into the charging stall. You will either take up one spot or two depending on where they paint the line. You will definitely be close to the line. Mach E’s and Lightnings take up two spots now. No one complains. Most Tesla chargers are empty around my area.

For the 2026 IX we need to wait till spring 2026 ( as mentioned in the current RSU release)

Just curious......what's a normal price that one is charged at a Tesla charger?

No thank you,...I'll charge at home,...or use EA,...and or IONNA!

gionyc5 wrote

Would the i3. Be able to use NACS TESLA ?

I’ve seen videos of people charging their i3s at Tesla chargers.

People don’t want to use “adapters” for goodness sake! Come on BMW… build this functionality directly into your EVs, as you promised you would!

AustinPowers007 wrote

People don’t want to use “adapters” for goodness sake! Come on BMW… build this functionality directly into your EVs, as you promised you would!

Its USA being wierd about their connectors, all other markets has a standard plug at this point. So BMW is already going out of their way to fit US spesific plugs on the US cars. Tesla uses the industry standard plug in other markets, they should stop using a wierd plug in USA. Other manufacturers should not be adapting to one companys extra wierd standard.

And they are behind the curve on supporting 800v - I think they only just started rolling out the V4s in California?

AustinPowers007 wrote

People don’t want to use “adapters” for goodness sake! Come on BMW… build this functionality directly into your EVs, as you promised you would!

They are.

ubercruise wrote

They are.

But apparently not yet!

AustinPowers007 wrote

But apparently not yet!

You can’t retrofit the cars that were already built with a ccs plug. Thus the adapters. Just like lightning vs usb on an older iPhone.

TheBingoBalls wrote

That’s the first thought that came to mind. I don’t know how these charge stations are set up with regards to layout (parking spot + charge block) but depending on how the charge station is set up, charging your BMW might be taking up spots and if that’s the case, you’re going to 100% cause issues with Tesla owners and wouldn’t even be surprised if that leads to some sort of vandalism to vehicles.

Yes, it's one of my biggest concerns when considering the iX3. Will be solved by V4 superchargers but that will be a slow rollout/conversion. Ajax, just east of Toronto is about to go live soon with 44 V4 superchargers with cables that will reach but that's it for Canada so far.

Otherwise and as an 8 year Tesla owner, I would not even want to count on supercharging. There's often one spot on the side that you could back into but at busy spots, good luck with timing that or trying to take up 2 spots. And on some routes, counting on CCS chargers is not something I would be comfortable with on a trip with passengers. Timing it so you reach the SC in the evening would likely help a lot but on busy weekends, it's still iffy.

Making up for all this a bit is the sheer range advantage of the iX3.

I'm cross shopping it against a 2026 MYP and it's a very hard choice I'm finding. To me, buying a vehicle is all about managing compromises vs costs.

If the charge port was on the right side which is the left side it would make my decision a lot easier. And while we're at it, don't gouge for the V2L adapter.