Tesla has finally introduced credit card readers to its V4 Supercharger stations for the first time. The American automaker is taking huge strides to allow EV owners to access the charging facilities, thus giving them opportunities for state subsidies.
How Tesla Supercharger Network Thrived Throughout the Decade
Back in 2012, when Tesla announced the launch of the Supercharger network, the company initially rolled out exclusive charging services to Tesla drivers. These are free of charge. However, as its business model evolved, the carmaker began to include fees every time a person wanted to use it.
According to Electrek, all payments and charging session activations were handled through automatic processes and Tesla's mobile app at that time.
Over time, the electric vehicle landscape has changed, with Tesla's connector becoming the standard in North America. Additionally, various markets now require payment systems for charging stations.
Tesla has been hesitant to introduce payment systems, but the latest development indicates a shift in its approach.
Tesla is Going All Out With Payment Systems
As spotted on Twitter via Tesla Owners UK, the new Tesla V4 Supercharger appears to have a dedicated space for the screen. That's not the only thing you can see here since the charging station also has a contactless bank card area. This indicates that the latest change permits the inclusion of credit card readers in such a way.
Exclusive: We can reveal a new Tesla V4 Supercharger with contactless bank card area and space for a screen! Global debut at @fosgoodwood, never been shown before! Nice work @TeslaCharging / @Tesla / @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/7jIvVx1A3M
— Tesla Owners UK 🇬🇧 (@TeslaOwnersUK) July 14, 2023
This is good news not only for Tesla owners but also for non-Tesla users to embrace the use of Superchargers. With this, the company sees a more robust adoption of EVs in its entire space.
What's the Purpose of Credit Card Readers in Superchargers?
One notable advantage of credit card reader implementation is the potential for state subsidies. At first, Tesla opposed this action, but this time, it seems that the company is heading in a different direction.
Electrek also notes in its report that Tesla could potentially "walk away" from the subsidy money in California.
It quoted that:
In California, Tesla was in the running for $6 million in funding for four large Supercharger stations with 420 [nice] charge points.
The California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program Rural Electric Vehicle Charging program was behind the funding.
Now we learn that Tesla has given up on the $6 million in subsidies because it doesn't want to comply with "payment infrastructure requirements."
Indeed, adding credit card readers could pave the way for hassle-free payment within the charging stations. In the case of Tesla, this might be a way to attract more customers in the long run.
Meanwhile, data miners recently unearthed a secret feature of the Tesla iPhone app. Early leakers revealed that the next update hints at the arrival of the Apple AirPlay feature to the EVs.
Elsewhere, a Tech Times report wrote that Tesla was declared as the most searched car brand in the United States.
