Tesla has released footage unveiling its pre-fabricated system to deploy new Supercharger stations in record time. This new one in Florida was built in just over a week. Tesla is currently growing its Supercharger network at an impressive rate. The automaker went from 23,277 Superchargers at 2,564 stations at the end of 2020 to 31,498 […]
Tesla accounts for 58% of high-speed charging outlets in the U.S. currently. This gives it a significant competitive advantage for the sale of Tesla autos.
I recently looked into the availability of true fast charging for EVs in my state. For all cars not made by Tesla, there are very few charging stations that operate at greater than 50kw or 62.5 kwh charging rates. You can buy an EV from many manufacturers that can charge at 100-150 kwh – but there’s basically nowhere to take advantage of that higher charge rate, in my state. (Many EVs can already charge at Tesla stations but only at much slower Level II charging equivalent.)
In mid-February, Tesla announced it was openings it charging network to all EVs in Norway and the Netherlands, and has done so at selected stations in France and Belgium. The company has been adding CCS connections to its own proprietary Tesla charging outlets. ALSO, Tesla has opened up its charging network in Poland and Slovakia to all EVs, for free, to support refugees driving EVs out of Ukraine.
As the US government launches its EV charging network subsidy program, more and more true fast chargers will become available and the competitive advantage of the Tesla network will become less. At that point, it makes financial sense for Tesla to make its profits from selling electricity and a better charging experience. Plus, Tesla will likely get subsidies from the government too. Thus, it seems likely that Tesla’s charging network will open up to all EVs sooner than not.
