Tesla has fully opened its Supercharger network to other electric-car users in the Netherlands, and is expected to do the same in other European countries soon.
All Tesla Supercharger rapid-charging locations in the Netherlands can now be used by drivers of other brands’ electric cars – making it the first country in the world where the network has been opened to non-Tesla owners.
The move comes after the conclusion of a pilot project that began in mid-2021 across 10 of the brand’s 54 locations in the Netherlands. Similar pilot projects are also underway in Norway, France, Germany and Belgium, with the full opening of the network in those countries likely to follow in due course.
There’s no word yet on when a similar opening-up could occur in Australia. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously pledged that “over time” Superchargers in “all countries” will be opened up, but there isn’t a definite timeframe for when this will happen in each territory.
While European Tesla Superchargers have Type 2 and CCS connectors, those in the US have a proprietary connector, so cars from other brands would need an adaptor to use them – but Musk has indicated this will be made available.
Concerns have been raised by some Tesla owners of the impact opening up will have on the network, with certain locations in some countries already seeing drivers have to queue. Speaking on an earnings call in 2021, Musk indicated that dynamic pricing would be introduced, charging drivers more for staying longer, in order to encourage shorter charge sessions – and making it more expensive to charge at busier times. Tesla has also said that the locations opened up in the Netherlands and elsewhere will be “closely monitored for congestion”.
Non-Tesla owners can charge at a Supercharger using the Tesla app, in which they need to register bank or credit-card details to process payments. They’ll be charged a higher rate than Tesla owners for using the network, which the company says reflects the additional costs of supporting other vehicles.
Stephen Errity