Tesla is set to open up parts of its Supercharger and Destination Charger Networks to rival electric vehicle (EV) brands in the US, the company confirmed on February 15. The move is expected to contribute significantly to President Biden’s goal of having 500,000 EV chargers available in the US by 2030.
However, for Tesla to qualify for the $7.5bn federal subsidy for EV charging under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the company must support the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, which it has not yet committed to doing.
At least 7,500 Tesla charging stations will be open to all EV brands by the end of 2024, including a minimum of 3,500 new and existing 250 kW Superchargers along highways, and Level 2 Destination chargers in urban and rural locations for travelers visiting hotels and restaurants. President Biden acknowledged the significance of Tesla’s decision to open up its charging network, which will help ensure that more chargers work for more drivers.
Tesla released a CCS adapter for US customers in September 2021, allowing Tesla owners to charge at third-party charging stations. The adapter costs $250 and offers a charging speed of up to 250 kW. However, in November 2021, Tesla introduced the North American Charging Standard (NACS), its own EV connector design for network operators and vehicle manufacturers. This move suggests that Tesla may not switch to the CCS standard, which is federally-supported, and could affect its eligibility for the federal subsidy.
Overall, Tesla’s decision to open up parts of its charging network to rival EV brands is a significant step towards a more accessible and sustainable EV charging infrastructure. While the company may need to make changes to qualify for the federal subsidy, its efforts will undoubtedly contribute to the wider adoption of electric vehicles and the achievement of President Biden’s ambitious clean energy goals.
In building our EV charging network, we have to ensure that as many chargers work for as many drivers as possible.
To that end, @elonmusk will open a big part of @Tesla's network up to all drivers.
That's a big deal, and it'll make a big difference. https://t.co/hb6pyVhtbg
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 15, 2023
