Seen online: Tesla to open up Supercharger Network to other brands

In a recent announcement, Tesla has announced that it will open up its global network of chargers to other brands of electric vehicles. The move is set to be a significant step forward for the industry, increasing the accessibility and convenience of EV charging for all.

Tesla's Supercharger Network in Australia and New Zealand. Image from: www.tesla.com/en_au/supercharger

Tesla's charging network, known as the Supercharger Network, is one of the most extensive and advanced in the world. It currently has over 25,000 charging stations in more than 40 countries, with an average of around 4,000 charging connectors. The Supercharger Network has been a significant factor in the growth and success of Tesla, providing an essential charging infrastructure that enables its drivers to travel long distances with ease.

However, the Supercharger Network has been exclusive to Tesla vehicles until now. This exclusivity has been a significant limiting factor for other electric vehicle manufacturers who have struggled to build their own extensive charging networks. With the opening up of the Supercharger Network, other brands of electric vehicles will be able to benefit from Tesla's extensive charging infrastructure, which could potentially accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the decision on Twitter, saying, "We created our own connector because there was no standard back then, and Tesla was only making a few cars. Now there are many electric cars, and we need to have a standard, which is why we’re making our Supercharger network open to other EVs."

The decision to open up the Supercharger Network is a significant step forward for the industry, signaling a move towards greater collaboration and standardization. While Tesla has announced its intentions to open up its charging network, the specifics of how this will work are yet to be announced. It is not clear whether other electric vehicle manufacturers will need to make any changes to their vehicles to use the Supercharger Network or whether Tesla will charge a fee for access. However, the announcement itself is a positive step forward for the industry, and it will be interesting to see how this develops over time.

We can only hope it addresses some of the range anxiety/long wait time concerns people have experienced over peak travel times like the summer holidays.