Supercharger network opened to non-Tesla EV owners in new trial

Tesla is kickstarting a trial that will see owners of other types of electric vehicle given access to the firm’s Superchargers.

Taking place at 10 Supercharger locations in the Netherlands, the trial will allow non-Tesla EV owners to access charging via the Tesla app. Tesla owners will still be able to use the chargers as normal, while the firm will also be monitoring each site for congestion.

Tesla opened its first Supercharger in 2012 and, today has more than 25,000 worldwide. In a statement, the firm said that it had ‘always been’ an ambition to open the Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs to ‘encourage more drivers to go electric’.

Though just a trial for now, Tesla says that through additional expansion it can ‘eventually welcome both Tesla and Non-Tesla drivers at every Supercharger worldwide.’

Tesla’s Model 3 was crowned the best-selling car in Europe during September – the first time that an electric car had taken the top spot. According to data from JATO Dynamics, some 24,591 units were registered during the month, securing a 2.6 per cent market share.

The firm’s Model Y also just went on sale in the UK, expanding Tesla’s line-up of cars to four. Prices for Long Range models start at £54,990, with even entry-level cars returning up to 315 miles of range in between charges.