Tesla is to make its North American high capacity EV charging network available to other EVs. The intention was “officially” announced by company’s CEO Elon Musk in a recent tweet: “we’re making our Supercharger network open to other EVs later this year.”
Musk reminded followers that Tesla developed it proprietary charging connector because at the time “there was no other solution for fast charging”.
“We created our own connector, as there was no standard back then & Tesla was only maker of long range electric cars,” the tweet continues. “It’s one fairly slim connector for both low & high power charging.”
Observers predict Tesla will now switch to a new connector compatible with the CCS Combo 1 to allow other EVs with CCS1 inlets to use the Tesla chargers. Tesla’s European Superchargers are already retrofitted with CCS Combo 2-compatible plugs. Other EV manufacturers are not willing to leave the CCS standard so this appears the most practical solution and might just sow the seeds for everything to switch to the CCS Combo 2 globally – a move considered highly desirable in the switch to EVs.
Also in the news:
New model suggests the economics of rural charging infrastructure can work
Hyzon convenes alliance to stimulate global hydrogen vehicle supply chains
2020 breakthrough year for EVs in Europe, but growth highly concentrated in a few countries
More radical policies needed to boost uptake of both new and used EVs