Guide: Tesla opens up
Superchargers for everyone
Tesla Supercharger
© press-inform – the press office
So far, there has mostly been a two-class automotive society, especially on the freeways. The Teslas turn left to the white and red superchargers and the other electric cars turn right to the fast charging stations from Ionity, Aral or Fastned. But since Tesla is increasingly opening up its chargers to other brands as well, there will be a colorful mix of charging in the future.
The picture is still extremely rare, but at one or the other supercharger in Europe (and soon also in the USA) you will not only see a Tesla Model S, Model X or Model Y, but also an Audi Etron GT, a VW ID4 or one Get to see the Mercedes EQE, which strengthens its own battery pack in the underbody. Tesla has opened some of its superchargers since the beginning of 2022 because more and more charging parks are being built and more or less free competition is developing here. Unlike in the USA, there is often the picture on the large connecting roads in Europe that the large Tesla charging park offers significantly more free spaces than the neighboring charging stations from gas station operators, EnBW, Ionity or Fastned. The reason is obvious, because Tesla has generously dimensioned many of its superchargers and the operators of the other charging stations have often only installed four or six charging stations with a corresponding fast charging function.
With Tesla now opening its charging stations to third-party brands at more and more locations, the result is an expanded business model. Because the electric cars from Audi, Kia, Renault, Volkswagen or Mercedes cannot be recharged with the usual charging card or with a well-known branded app, but only with the Tesla app, which from software version 4.2.3 recently had a new menu item “Recharge.” Your non-Tesla on” was added. This can now also be used by drivers of other electric brands. The normal Tesla functions in the app are irrelevant, but they can now also be used to recharge with a third-party model. Provided the vehicle is fitted with a CCS connector.
In Germany, this should initially be more than 300 charging points at almost 20 locations. The situation is similar in countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Switzerland. The only thing that can sometimes be a problem is the charging speed, because while many hyperchargers now offer speeds of 300 to 350 kilowatts, Tesla promises “more than 150 kW” on the superchargers alone. In addition, the locally variable price per kilowatt hour, which can vary depending on the time, is currently 0.66 to 0.75 euros more expensive than that which Tesla drivers pay (0.58 to 0.55 euros). Drivers from other brands can also purchase a Supercharger membership for EUR 12.99 per month, which reduces charging fees. However, the costs are on the same level as refueling at Ionity, Allego or Fastned.