For many years, non-Tesla electric car drivers have been locked out of using the global Supercharger network. This is no insignificant loss for these drivers, as the network of fast chargers, numbering more than 25,000, was everywhere and very well maintained. However, Tesla has changed course, and the first non-Tesla cars will charge with Superchargers in the Netherlands.
Tesla’s official Twitter handle tweeted the groundbreaking news, ushering in a new era for Tesla’s charging management.
This milestone came almost a year after the CEO, Elon Musk, tweeted that his company’s public chargers would be open to all-electric vehicles.
Sometime in July, Musk outlined how Tesla would open the chargers fully by saying it would be a gradual rollout, without indicating the Netherlands would be the starting point. He later added that non-Tesla drivers would download the Tesla App, connect their car to a charger, go into the app to specify which stall they are in to activate charging. They will also indicate how much electricity they to charge their cars by setting when to stop. This process means extra steps for non-Tesla drivers, but they will be able to charge their batteries.
For EVs that charge slow, the drivers will pay more to compensate for occupying the stalls for longer. Tesla is anticipating increased traffic at its chargers, so it is implementing a smarter use of electricity, which basically means making the drivers pay more during rush hours, mimicking the operation of ride-hailing platforms.
It is easy for Tesla to open up in Europe, China, and other countries where it uses the same connector as other EVs. However, in North America, non-Tesla EV drivers will require an adapter to use the Superchargers. These adapters will be made available to purchase, but Tesla plans to provide them at its charging stations.
It had always been an irony that Tesla makes its Superchargers exclusive, given that the outspoken CEO claims to be passionate about helping humankind combat environmental pollution by promoting emission-less EVs. He even claims Tesla competes with fossil fuel cars rather than with other electric vehicles. To him, one more electric vehicle on the road is a victory for the environment.
Buttressing the fact, Musk recently said Tesla’s main aim is to support the advent of sustainable energy and not to create a walled garden to use as a tool to kill the competition as some companies do.
However, with this singular act of welcoming other electric cars to its Superchargers, Tesla is now walking the talk.
Musk committed to even expanding the Supercharger network to handle the influx of electric vehicles.
