The special plug that is utilized in the United States and Canada has contributed to Tesla’s Supercharging network’s exclusivity to Tesla owners. To access the billions of dollars the US government will spend on expanding charging stations around the nation, the corporation might need to make some adjustments.

Introducing competition

Due to a new rule from the US Department of Transportation, competitors will have to gain access to Tesla’s Supercharging network in the US. According to reporters, the final clause will be disclosed the following week, which will put pressure on Tesla to include the CCS1 charging standard used by many of its competitors in addition to its proprietary charging connector. Tesla will open up its U.S. charging network to rivals as part of a $7.5 billion federal project.

Because of its dependability, speed, and accessibility, Tesla’s global Supercharger network, which has more than 40,000 stations, is frequently recognized as the gold standard. Non-Tesla owners cannot utilize the network due to its exclusivity. For instance, while non-Tesla owners are able to use CCS1 chargers using an adapter, they are unable to do the same with Superchargers.

Competition between Companies

The CCS standard, utilized by almost all U.S. charging stations with the exception of Tesla’s Superchargers, is required for chargers that want to be a part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) initiative. It is anticipated that businesses competing for funding through the NEVI initiative include ChargePoint Holdings and EVgo Inc.

Sadly, this action puts an end to the notion that Tesla’s charging system, which provides the most reliable hardware, will be the preferred option for charging stations in North America. Tesla made their connector design available for use by any rival, but it appears that EVs will be forced to utilize the cumbersome CCS system.

Tesla’s Reaction

However, since Teslas and Superchargers in those regions already adhere to the CCS charging standard (CCS2 is used in Europe and Australia), it is simpler. Tesla has already made some of its Superchargers in Europe and Australia accessible to non-Tesla EVs.

Other EVs will eventually be able to use Tesla’s Superchargers in the United States, but that hasn’t happened yet. Tesla is anticipated to introduce new Superchargers using the CCS1 plug in addition to the NACS plug.

A few weeks ago, Elon Musk met with the Biden administration to address a number of issues, including the charging network. Tesla wrote to the Federal Highway Administration last year with suggestions for the Biden administration on how to design the charging program. Additionally, the business has responded to a recent request from Ohio regulators for businesses to submit pricing proposals. Tesla stated in Arizona that it was willing to upgrade its chargers or create new ones to meet regulatory standards while a final decision was yet to be made.