Tesla To Open Supercharger Network To Non-tesla Electric Cars In The U.S. Later This Year
July 8, according to foreign media reports, a White House memo shows that Tesla plans to open its Supercharger network to non-Tesla electric cars in the United States later this year.
Rather than relying on third-party charging networks, as most other automakers do, Tesla developed its own charging network from the ground up. The company's Supercharger network is now the most extensive fast charging network for electric vehicles in the world and is one of its most important strengths.
The company claims that it has more than 35,000 Superchargers worldwide, most of which are located in the United States and China.
For years, Tesla's Supercharger network has been exclusive to Tesla car owners, meaning that people driving plug-in Volkswagen, Ford or Chevrolet cars could not use it.
However, Tesla has often said it is willing to share the Supercharger network with other automakers, but that would depend on reaching a cost-sharing agreement.
For a long time, Tesla Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk has also been talking about opening up Superchargers to other companies' electric cars.
Last November, Tesla launched a pilot program in the Netherlands to allow non-Tesla electric vehicles to charge using its network of Superchargers, the first time the company opened its proprietary charging stations to third-party electric vehicles.
Tesla has since followed up with pilots in several major European cities, but has not been able to open Superchargers to non-Tesla vehicles in the United States.
Musk initially announced in July 2021 that it would open its Supercharger network to non-Tesla electric vehicles by the end of 2021, and although Tesla piloted several charging stations in Europe last November, it did not fully launch in 2021.
Tesla has said that serving non-Tesla vehicles through the company's Supercharger stations would add a new revenue stream to its business, and that additional funds could be used to build the Supercharger network.
