Tesla will open chargers to all electric vehicles

A deal with the White House to allow electric cars made by other automakers is part of a broad effort to improve charging and increase sales of battery-powered vehicles.

Tesla will open some of its fast chargers, which were exclusive to its customers, to all electric vehicles by the end of next year, the company announced on Wednesday. Biden administration. he announced a broad effort to improve charging and encourage more people to buy battery-powered vehicles.

The company's network of fast chargers has been a key to the company's success by giving drivers confidence that they will be able to charge cars on long journeys. The company's network also has a reputation for being faster and more reliable than networks available to owners of electric vehicles made by other manufacturers. These chargers require drivers to download special apps and are often difficult to use or out of order.

Tesla accounts for more than half of fast chargers in the United States, and its network could provide a significant boost to the Biden administration's plans to encourage electric vehicle ownership and tackle climate change. Financial incentives for car buyers and manufacturers, part of the Cut Inflation Act passed by Democrats in Congress last year, are already making some electric vehicles as cheap to buy as new ones. comparable gas-powered cars.

The Biden administration has said 7,500 Tesla chargers will be open to other vehicles by the end of 2024. Of these, 3 500 are fast chargers capable of recharging a vehicle in about half an hour to an hour. The rest are slower chargers in hotels, restaurants and other destinations which are already available to owners of other car brands if they purchase an adapter.

Tesla has about 17,700 fast chargers in the United States, according to the Department of Energy, which means most of the network will remain closed to electric vehicles made by General Motors, Ford Motor, Volkswagen and others. There are about 29,000 total fast chargers across the country.

Tesla said opening up its network would be part of a major expansion. “Our U.S. network will more than double by the end of 2024 to support our growing Tesla fleet and new E.V. customers,” the company said on Twitter without providing further details.

By opening up its network, Tesla can gain revenue from owners of competitors' vehicles, but can also diminish one of its key advantages in the face of stiffer competition from established automakers.< /p>

"It's a double-edged sword for Tesla," said Ben Rose, president of Battle Road Research. "It helps to grow the industry. It demonstrates that Tesla wants to be a team player. On the other hand, it reduces a competitive advantage vis-à-vis other manufacturers who are very late in creating their own charging networks. to use its chargers in a pilot program in 14 European countries, including France, Germany and Great Britain. The company's network in Australia and Iceland is also open to other cars .

Tesla's decision to open up its network means the company will become eligible for a portion of the $7.5 billion in grants that Congress has authorized. as part of a bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021. The money is intended to help create nationwide charging infrastructure.The administration announced rules for the pr...