Tesla has confirmed that it will open up its Tesla-only supercharger network as a trial to other EVs by the end of this year.

Initially, only 10 locations in the Netherlands will be used as part of the test.  For the first time, non-Tesla drivers will be able to use the network and pave the way for the 25,000-strong Supercharger grid to be opened up around the globe, by far the most extensive network owned and operated by a car manufacturer in the world.

Electric vehicles that support CCS charging will be able to use the network; that opens it up to BMWs, Mercedes, Audis, Volkswagens, Porsches and Fords, amongst others.

Non-Tesla drivers that want to use a Supercharger location will have to download the Tesla app first and create an account with the company. From there, users can select “Charge Your Non-Tesla,” search for a location, add a payment method and start charging, according to information on Tesla’s Netherlands website.

Motorists driving non-Tesla EVs will not have a completely seamless charging experience.  Whilst Tesla users can simply plug in and out, non-Tesla drivers will have to indicate on the app when to start and stop the charging session. And although the electricity prices will stay the same for Tesla owners, non-Teslas will incur additional costs, including those “associated with charging a large number of different cars and made to make the locations suitable for cars from other brands,” Tesla said.

Tesla’s supercharger network is maybe one of the best available. With charging speeds of up to 250kW on offer, it’s arguably one of the key draws of the brand.  

Despite using the same Type 2 and CCS connectors as Tesla vehicles, non-Teslas have been omitted from the network – until now.  It means that any EV with a Type 2 or CCS connector will have access to these super-fast chargers, reducing charge time and potentially uplifting electric vehicle uptake as a result.

Tesla boss Elon Musk had commented previously in a tweet: “We created our own connector, as there was no standard back then, and Tesla was the only maker of long-range EVs.  We’re making our Supercharger network open to other EVs later this year”.

Tesla also added, “Our ambition has always been to open the Supercharger network to Non-Tesla electric cars to encourage more drivers to make the switch to electric driving.”

In July, Andrew Baglino, Tesla’s senior VP of powertrain and energy engineering, made the case that opening the Supercharger network to non-Teslas could reduce electricity costs overall.

“Increasing the utilisation of the network will reduce our costs, which allows us to lower charging prices for our customers and make the network more profitable and grow the network faster,” he said. 

“And no matter what, we’re going to continue to aggressively expand the network capacity, increasing charging speeds, improving the trip planning tools to protect against site congestion using dynamic pricing, as Elon mentioned.” 

This initial trial appears to be just the beginning.  Tesla said on its website that it would be adding additional countries to the "Non-Tesla’s Supercharger Pilot" program soon.

We’ll keep tabs on when (and if) the Supercharger network opens up to non-Tesla users in the UK.

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