Tesla's Supercharger network used to be exclusive for Tesla EVs, but that time is now coming to an end. The company just recently announced that all Supercharger stations located in the Netherlands will now allow non-Tesla owners to charge their electric vehicles.
Tesla Netherlands Supercharger Network to Allow Non-Tesla EVs to Charge
According to the story by TechCrunch, the recent announcement actually makes a pilot program expansion which initially kicked off in November 2021 with just ten stations. Interest regarding opening up Tesla's Supercharger networks to allow other EVs in the summer of the same year was also expressed by CEO Elon Musk.
Tesla, unlike other automakers, operates quite an "expansive proprietary network" that in the past has not allowed electric vehicles coming from other automakers to charge. As of the moment, there are now 30,000 Supercharging stations around the world which originally started being built in 2012.
Tesla Pilot Program to Allow Other EVs to Charge Through Tesla App
With the new pilot program, Tesla will now allow EVs from other automakers in the Netherlands and a number of other stations in different European countries, which include Belgium, France, and Norway to charge their cars through the Tesla app.
As of the moment, there has not yet been integration of Tesla's systems "with other EV station collators like Plugshare." In addition, Tesla reportedly uses a proprietary plug that is only capable of fitting Tesla vehicles meaning the pilot can only be used by EVs that have a "combined charging system-enabled CSS vehicle."
Non-Tesla EVs Could Get Charged More for Using Supercharger Network
Tesla, however, notes that if the connector won't fit other cars, drivers can still report the problem to the company's customer support center. TechCrunch, however, notes that EVs that aren't coming from Tesla "might get charged more" in order for them to use Tesla's Supercharger sites.
According to Tesla, this is due to the additional costs that happen in order for them to support charging a wide range of different vehicles and also the costs of adjustments to their sites in order for them to accommodate the vehicles.
Tesla has 33 Supercharger Stations in the Netherlands with 18 More to Come Soon
The per kWh price in order to charge, however, could be lowered should drivers opt to buy a "charging membership." A select number of sites were initially chosen for Tesla to start with in order for the company to monitor congestion, review the experience, and also "assess feedback before expanding."
Other sites will reportedly only be opened in the future to non-Tesla EVs should there be available capacity. As per the DailySabah, the Netherlands, with 75,000 stations, currently has the most number of "EV charging stations in Europe."
This reportedly gives Tesla a "competitive playground" in order for them to be able to further test the pilot program. As of the moment, there are 33 Tesla stations in the Netherlands and an additional 18 are expected to come soon as per the official Tesla website.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian B.
