Tesla’s Pioneering Promise Is Finally Coming True

Source: Medium, Will Lockett
Photo: Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

Tesla takes another giant leap for mankind.

Tesla practically invented the electric car movement. Not only did they make the first desirable EV with the Model S’ insane performance and modern design, but they also built a vast charging network that meant long distance, zero-emissions road trips were finally possible. Since then, every manufacturer has jumped onto the electric bandwagon with cars that are arguably better in many ways. But, none of these cars can use Tesla’s outstanding supercharger network. Instead, they have to make do with far less reliable, scarce and low power public points. That is, until now.

Way back in 2014, before any of us really knew what a coronavirus was, Musk made a promise that seemed too good to be true. He stated in interviews and presentations that he never wanted superchargers to be a ‘walled garden’ that only Teslas can access. He was happy for other car companies to adopt their charge infrastructure and use the superchargers. But at the time, no other car could match the superchargers high output, so no one took them up on the offer.

Since 2014 Tesla has been quiet about this promise. Musk has happily sat back and created one of the most valuable companies ever. This insane growth is partly because there are now more than 25,000 superchargers worldwide. So, not only does Tesla dominate EV sales, but it is also one of the leading charge point providers. Both are very valuable businesses.

But during this time the other car manufacturers have got their game together. You can now buy a Hyundai for less than a Model 3 with just as much range (at least in the UK where I’m from) and performance EVs like the Porsche Taycan are damn close to the Model S in charge speeds and pace. Even high-end manufacturers like Maserati, Lotus and Bugatti are switching to electric.

However, none of these cars use the same charging system as a Tesla. They use their own system known as CCS.

Whilst there is a level of compatibility between the two systems, this difference has stopped other car manufacturers from using the supercharge network and has made charging Teslas at third party fast chargers a pain in the backside.

But in 2018, Musk announced he would switch to CCS! Finally, an industry standard for charging! Many expected this news also to herald the supercharger network opening up to other brands. But it didn’t.

Many questioned whether Musk was really trying to revolutionise humanity or just looking to hold a monopoly over our eco-friendly future.

Then in 2021, Tesla announced they were opening up the supercharger network to everyone in the Netherlands and then expanding out worldwide from there. Musk’s 2014 promise has come true and the world will be all the better for it.

See, whilst the rise in sales of non-Tesla EVs has increased dramatically over the past few years, these cars are still massively impractical for long-haul journeys. Take the Audi E-Tron GT. It can charge at over 250 kWh and get a full charge in less than 25 minutes! However, chargers that can actually deliver that are few and far between. Meanwhile, a Tesla Model 3 can charge are the same speed from thousands of superchargers.

This is one of the reasons people overlook Tesla’s shoddy build quality and questionable ethics. Their EVs are simply far more useable thanks to superchargers. However, once Tesla opens up its network, the idea of owning any EV becomes far more appealing. This will make EV adoption far more widespread bringing our zero-emission electrified future to fruition.

So has Musk done the altruistic thing? Has he opened up the supercharger network to bring about a zero-emissions world? Well, yes and no. Remember this is Musk. Everything he does has a deeper purpose.

Tesla needs its inflated share price for it to grow. After all, Musk was talking about selling off shares to pay Tesla’s tax bill. But we are entering a market where share prices are all tumbling. He needs a way to bump his up so that Tesla can continue to fly.

Opening up the supercharger network can massively increase his charging customer base. Suddenly the network is now way more valuable. This is compounded by the fact energy prices are growing and demand for charge points is also increasing. This will skyrocket the price of a charge.

So, not only will Tesla have more customers wanting a charge, but he’ll also make more money from each charge. This will undoubtedly boost Tesla’s share price.

But does it matter? Musk is pushing the entire automotive industry to adopt zero-emission EVs at a staggering pace. Opening up the supercharger network will only speed up this process. That means less toxic fumes killing thousands, less planet-destroying carbon emissions and a step closer to a more ecologically harmonious humanity. So what if his company increases in value because of it? They deserve it as its actions like this that could save the world.

https://medium.com/predict/teslas-pioneering-promise-is-finally-coming-true