After years of teasing, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has finally confirmed that his electric-car firm will start to open up its Supercharger network to other electric vehicles by the end of this year. Musk confirmed the news on July 21 while responding to a tweet about Tesla’s technology for rapid charging.
More details about the move are yet to come in, but the news is a huge deal for drivers of non-Tesla EVs who’ll soon get to charge up their vehicles at a bunch of new stations. For drivers in the US, it’s going to mean buying a charging adapter that fits the Superchargers which will surely come at a cost. Tesla could use this opportunity to make some more money.
Compatibility is the biggest hurdle
In Europe, however, Tesla vehicles and Superchargers follow the Combined Charging System also used by other automakers, which is also used for other electric cars. It could also mean that Tesla would first open up its service to other vehicles in Europe first.
Musk has long talked about offering its services to EVs made by other carmakers. Three years ago, he argued that Tesla’s system was not “a walled garden” that will keep the competition at bay, but said compatibility issues need to be addressed to make it happen.
More options for non-Tesla drivers
Offering its Supercharger network to other electric vehicles could create a new stream of revenue for the company with the sales of power and adapters. It could also mean that Tesla owners might have to wait in long queues at Supercharger stations when other EVs show up before them.
However, overall the move looks like a positive one, offering non-Tesla vehicles more charging options while enabling the company to strengthen its network of Superchargers and lower the chances of long lines at its stations.
As of now, Tesla has around 25,000 Superchargers at some 2,700 stations globally. The charging technology allows drivers to add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes of charging. There’s a possibility we might see even faster-charging speeds in the coming years.
