2021 has been a massive year for Tesla. Its manufacturing plants have become busy as the company has increased its total annual production capacity to above one million. However, its Supercharger network is set to become busier as non-Tesla cars can now charge with them.
Elon Musk, the CEO, had committed that all electric vehicles would soon be able to use the Superchargers, and this has started in the Netherlands.
With more than 25,000 public chargers globally, non-Tesla drivers can use the Tesla app to initiate charging and stop it when their cars have had enough. In the app’s latest update, users will see “Charge Your Non-Tesla,” which will help them locate the closest Supercharger site. For Tesla owners, charging works as usual.
Tesla is commencing a pilot operation with 10 Supercharger stations in the Netherlands where, like the rest of Europe, there will be no need for extra hardware for non-Tesla cars to charge. This is because all EVs in Europe use the same chargers, meaning Tesla only has to reconfigure its software.
However, in North America, where there are about 6400 Superchargers, Tesla will provide an adapter at the stations, but drivers can purchase one for their personal use. Norway will perhaps be next in line to open up as Tesla has committed to doing so there.
“It’s always been our ambition to open the Supercharger network to Non-Tesla EVs and, by doing so, encourage more drivers to go electric,” the company said. “This move directly supports our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
Musk has claimed Tesla is not in competition with other EV companies but with ICE vehicle makers. He sees every EV on the road as a gain for the environment, regardless of the brand.
Tesla has revealed it will charge slower charging electric cars more money to make up for tying down the stalls. It will also implement price surging where it will charge cars more money during rush hours. These are part of how Tesla will increase revenue to pay for the increased cost which the influx of non-Tesla EVs will cause.
This move will make EVs more desirable, as Tesla Superchargers are usually well-maintained and the best examples of what public chargers should look like.