Tesla recently confirmed that it would open its Supercharger network to electric vehicles from other manufacturers – and the company has now taken the first tentative steps in realising this ambition with a new pilot scheme in the Netherlands.
Tesla has opened 10 Superchargers in Holland to non-Tesla drivers, who can charge their vehicles like they can at any other fast-charger, using the latest version of the Tesla app.
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The pilot is only open to vehicles that are compatible with CCS charging ports. There’s no word yet on whether the pilot programme will be extended to the UK.
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Tesla has also confirmed that non-Tesla drivers will be charged a slightly higher rate for charging their vehicles to offset the cost of outfitting the Superchargers with the necessary software to suit a broad range of electric vehicles. However, the company says this fee can be reduced by purchasing a charging membership.
Earlier this year, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk outlined his vision for the Supercharger roll-out, although he mentioned that drivers of cars with older and slower charging standards would also be liable to pay more for electricity at a Supercharger point.
“If the charge rate is super-slow then someone will be charged more,” he said. “We’ll also be smarter with how we charge for electricity at the Supercharger,” suggesting prices may vary according to demand or the time of day.