Tesla converted their chargers to use the standard charging connector in Europe (CCS) several years ago.
But while any CCS vehicle was technically capable of plugging in to Tesla's CCS superchargers, until now only Tesla vehicles could charge there because the supercharger's software would recognise a non-Tesla vehicle and not allow it to charge.
There isn't a mandate that requires charging stations must be public and available to all vehicles. However, by converting the supercharger network into an open charging network, Tesla should be eligible to bid for government funding for charger network expansion, which was not available to a Tesla-exclusive charging network.
One benefit of Tesla (for Tesla inc) opening up their charging network is it provides less incentive for other providers to create new charging points. Tesla have plenty incentive as they are by far the dominant charging provider currently and can continue to expand potentially realising a monopoly on charging infrastructure. If they end up with such a huge lead over the patchwork of competitors then it’s going to give them loads of leverage.
The Netherlands is home to 30% of all public EV chargers in the entire European Union. [0]
They are in no way the "dominant charging provider", probably not even for Tesla's.
What's more likely is that there are so many public and private EV chargers in the Netherlands that the superchargers sit mostly idle and Tesla needs to open them up to try and recoup some of the capex.
They get to leverage their early investment here. It's not going to be a loss leading enterprise either. Which is why there will be more players. Most highway fueling stations, if they haven't already, will be installing charging infrastructure. Likewise for malls, super markets, any commercial operation with parking lots basically. This will be demand driven rather than opportunistic. But it will happen nonetheless.
Actually, it provides more incentive for others to build out networks. Tesla is inarguably the leader for fast charger availability, but the problem is that drivers of other electric vehicles are anxious to purchase EVs because "free for all" chargers are still a rarity outside of urban areas. Now, with access to the Supercharger network at competitive rates, more people can decide to buy an electric vehicle, which in turn provides utilities and other infrastructure vendors with more security that they can actually recoup their investments into chargers.
Additionally, opening up the network should be beneficial for Tesla's cash flow - not that they'd need it these days, though.
> Tesla have plenty incentive as they are by far the dominant charging provider currently and can continue to expand potentially realising a monopoly on charging infrastructure. If they end up with such a huge lead over the patchwork of competitors then it’s going to give them loads of leverage.
For there next trick perhaps the EU can ban all payment networks, apps and anything which isn't waving a contactless card in front of the machine to pay for the electricity.
Maybe they could also increase the reliability 10 fold by making them default to giving away free electricity if it can't contact the providers services, I refuse to believe that the core electrical pieces of a car charger are anywhere near as unreliable as the infrastructure people keep throwing up in front of it.
EV infrastructure in EU is incredibly fragmented. Nice that Tesla chargers are becoming accessible, but we still have fragmentation of apps and charging subscriptions/accounts (Tesla app/account is another one you need to have):
https://svedic.org/tech/daddy-did-you-really-need-electric-c...
I long believed that Tesla should test out concept of charging stations, modeled after gas stations. Once they figure out the best design, structure and business, they should then franchise it to small operators.
It’s going to be good business for operators as Tesla owners are in the high earn/spend bracket and it will allow Tesla to significantly expand its brand’s footprint (not that they need it) while reinforcing the perception that driving Tesla is more superior to other experiences (even if it might not be true).
The incremental revenue from franchises is also nice. And it would allow Tesla to deploy more batteries and solar panels.
The ideal model isn't like a gas station. It's not even a 1:1 replacement of refueling model.
Some gas station usage disappears entirely due to at-home charging and destination charging (i.e. opportunistically wherever the car is parked). You simply don't visit a special place to charge.
Remaining usages are for longer-range road trips, which are already served adequately by bigger service stations along highways. The rest is for users who don't have at-home charger and need a 45-minute weekly charge, but for this the ideal model is not a charger with a gas-station like shop, but a mall that happens to have chargers.
This is interesting news. First of all, it is good news, if the Tesla locations become available to other car brands as well. But it is probably also pointing to a change in the Tesla company strategy. So far, superchargers were built to enable long-distance travel with Tesla cars and consequently sell more cars. Tesla recently opened up a large factory for superchargers in China. It looks to me as if they could be entering the business of providing public charging as an individual profit center. Being able to mass manufacture the charging installations, they could have a huge cost advantage, and the superchargers are known to work very well in general. And of course the superchargers keep being a benefit to all Tesla owners.
Tesla chargers are head and shoulders over their competitors in Europe. There are more of them, they are in better shape overall, they are more powerful, and I'm pretty confident that they work better. Plus so far Tesla is way cheaper than its competitors, so much that is probably can undercut them on price too. This looks like an easy disruption...
Did the government force them to sell their electricity to other EVs? AFAIK the CCS connector is forced which had been shipping for a while. Allowing other EVs to charge seems to be business choice.
This is going to have rollout worldwide after the pilot in Netherlands.
I see it more like: Tesla has good charging infrastructure and Tesla can scale chargers faster than cars (with cars production they are battery constrained).
If even Shell and BP are installing electric chargers at their gas stations to get a small cut of this market it's a no-brainer for Tesla
[+] [-] gadnuk|4 years ago|reply
That's why it's opening it up first in the EU.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/1/22757159/tesla-supercharg...
[+] [-] Reason077|4 years ago|reply
But while any CCS vehicle was technically capable of plugging in to Tesla's CCS superchargers, until now only Tesla vehicles could charge there because the supercharger's software would recognise a non-Tesla vehicle and not allow it to charge.
There isn't a mandate that requires charging stations must be public and available to all vehicles. However, by converting the supercharger network into an open charging network, Tesla should be eligible to bid for government funding for charger network expansion, which was not available to a Tesla-exclusive charging network.
[+] [-] MadeThisToReply|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rvz|4 years ago|reply
> Tesla uses the CCS standard in Europe, allowing a wide range of cars to charge in stations without an adapter that uses a similar connector.
That also explains the announcement first in Europe as well.
[+] [-] kar1181|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] apexalpha|4 years ago|reply
They are in no way the "dominant charging provider", probably not even for Tesla's.
What's more likely is that there are so many public and private EV chargers in the Netherlands that the superchargers sit mostly idle and Tesla needs to open them up to try and recoup some of the capex.
[0] https://www.acea.auto/press-release/risk-of-two-track-europe...
[+] [-] jillesvangurp|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mschuster91|4 years ago|reply
Additionally, opening up the network should be beneficial for Tesla's cash flow - not that they'd need it these days, though.
[+] [-] oblio|4 years ago|reply
Do you have any source for this?
From what I see Ionity (https://ionity.eu/) has around 400 stations and Tesla has around 600. So the difference is not crushing. Plus Ionity has huge backers: https://ionity.eu/en/about.html
[+] [-] juanani|4 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] wodenokoto|4 years ago|reply
Didn't the EU tell them they had to?
[+] [-] crishoj|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] yreg|4 years ago|reply
If I'm wrong, please provide a source.
[+] [-] VBprogrammer|4 years ago|reply
Maybe they could also increase the reliability 10 fold by making them default to giving away free electricity if it can't contact the providers services, I refuse to believe that the core electrical pieces of a car charger are anywhere near as unreliable as the infrastructure people keep throwing up in front of it.
[+] [-] crishoj|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ZeljkoS|4 years ago|reply
EV infrastructure in EU is incredibly fragmented. Nice that Tesla chargers are becoming accessible, but we still have fragmentation of apps and charging subscriptions/accounts (Tesla app/account is another one you need to have): https://svedic.org/tech/daddy-did-you-really-need-electric-c...
[+] [-] crishoj|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] doh|4 years ago|reply
It’s going to be good business for operators as Tesla owners are in the high earn/spend bracket and it will allow Tesla to significantly expand its brand’s footprint (not that they need it) while reinforcing the perception that driving Tesla is more superior to other experiences (even if it might not be true).
The incremental revenue from franchises is also nice. And it would allow Tesla to deploy more batteries and solar panels.
[+] [-] pornel|4 years ago|reply
Some gas station usage disappears entirely due to at-home charging and destination charging (i.e. opportunistically wherever the car is parked). You simply don't visit a special place to charge.
Remaining usages are for longer-range road trips, which are already served adequately by bigger service stations along highways. The rest is for users who don't have at-home charger and need a 45-minute weekly charge, but for this the ideal model is not a charger with a gas-station like shop, but a mall that happens to have chargers.
[+] [-] _ph_|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wazoox|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] londons_explore|4 years ago|reply
Is it $10/kWh 'premium charging' or is it $0.10/kWh 'encourage EV's pricing'.
[+] [-] crishoj|4 years ago|reply
This is only slightly higher than what Tesla owners are charged, arguably to cover the additional overhead.
Also, it's competitive: The comparative fast-charger network Ionity charges €0.79 per kWh, or €0.35 kWh with a €17.99 subscription.
[+] [-] crishoj|4 years ago|reply
In practical terms, expect to see some challenges reaching the charging port on non-Tesla vehicles...
[+] [-] mnd999|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ohgodplsno|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mehrdada|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] practice9|4 years ago|reply
I see it more like: Tesla has good charging infrastructure and Tesla can scale chargers faster than cars (with cars production they are battery constrained).
If even Shell and BP are installing electric chargers at their gas stations to get a small cut of this market it's a no-brainer for Tesla
[+] [-] neals|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dabeeeenster|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wffurr|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] launchiterate|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] corporateshil1|4 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] blitzar|4 years ago|reply