‘Not My Problem’: Tesla Driver Pulls Into Charging Station. Then He Spots A Ford Lightning Blocking His Way

Ever since Tesla opened up its supercharging network to EVs it doesn’t manufacture, there have been mixed reactions. While the maneuver has helped those who don’t drive Teslas get quick charges when they’re out on the road, there has been a growing outcry against EVs not designed to be used with superchargers taking up multiple spaces to plug in their cars.

One Tesla owner shared what they thought was a particularly egregious example of stall stonewalling. TikTok user Varun Patamalla (@varunpatamalla) uploaded two clips detailing his disdain for a Ford F-150 Lightning driver who took up multiple supercharger stations to power their battery.

Ford F-150 Lighting At A Tesla Supercharger

In the first, the TikToker expresses disbelief with the truck. “I’m here at this Tesla Supercharger and I don’t usually get mad or irritated when other non-Tesla EVs use the charger because they usually park in a pretty good manner,” he says. “Yeah, I get it, you take up a couple spots, you block a spot because you don’t have the charger in the right spot.”

“But look at this,” he says, turning the camera to show the Lightning parked across at least three supercharger terminals. “This is some… I’ve never seen this before.” 

In his follow-up video, the poster shows how he got his revenge. Recording from the interior of his Tesla, he says,“So, that Ford Lightning is blocking, like, all the spots pretty much on this side of the charger. So what I did was I parked right in front of it. And there’s another Tesla that’s over there. So, not my problem.”

Non-Tesla Supercharger Hate

One commenter who replied to Patamalla’s video expressed how disappointed they were to see Tesla’s level 3 charging network become available for other electric vehicles to use: “I hate to admit I wish Tesla didn’t get other cars to super chargers if they weren’t going to make the necessary mods to accommodate.”

Another commenter said they weren’t a fan of Tesla’s supercharger design. “That’s because the Ford charging port is on the other side. Also, the Tesla’s charging wire is too short.”

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But there was one commenter who didn’t seem to have any sympathy for trucks who block multiple spaces and suggested that they would take retaliatory action upon seeing so many charging stalls blocked out by a single EV. “Yeah they’d have a flat tire,” they wrote.

There have been other Tesla owners who’ve stated how disgruntled they feel upon seeing non-Tesla EVs utilize the brand’s massive level 3 charging network. One person in this Tesla Motors Club forum post wrote: “I find myself mentally flipping off non-Tesla vehicles at Tesla charging stations, especially when it’s busy.” They went on to comment on the same phenomena Patamalla referenced in his video: “each vehicle that does this is eating up two charging stations” because of how Tesla charging stations are designed.

Will Tesla Ever Outfit Its Superchargers With Longer Cables?

The collective groans of Tesla owners waiting for superchargers blocked by non-Tesla EVs has been well documented by automotive outlets. It’s a concern that’s only been increasing as the list of EV models that can use these level 3 solutions has grown over time.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t solutions for folks who want to use a supercharger without raising eyebrows and ire from Tesla drivers. InsideEVs previously reported on a supercharging extension cable that provides NACS to CCS1 functionality. While not cheap ($629 and $729 for the 5-foot and 8-foot versions, respectively), it can be a lifesaver for EV owners who need an adapter for their ride at a crowded supercharger stall assortment.

It also turns out that buying one of these adapters may not be necessary at all. Tesla announced in November of 2024 that it plans to outfit newer superchargers with longer cables. The EV maker writes on its website that “all V4 superchargers are equipped with a longer cable, providing easy access for all EVs.”

However, this doesn’t solve the problem of older units, which come with approximately 6-foot cables. Newer V4 cords are a little over 9.8 feet long, Business Insider writes.

InsideEVs has reached out to Tesla via email and Patamalla via TikTok direct message for further comment.

 

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