Tesla Superchargers to Accept Other Brands, But with a New Condition

Tesla has revised its acceptance of electric vehicles that are competitors to its Superchargers. From now on, you must subscribe.

Starting April 13, 2024, if you own an electric car other than a Tesla, you will still have access to the Supercharger charging stations, but you will first need to sign up for a subscription. This will cost 12.99 euros per month and will give you a kW price equal to that of any Tesla owner.

This change in the rules by Tesla for its Superchargers has caused a wave of panic among Tesla customers, who received a somewhat unclear email.

Many customers, rightly, did not understand whether they were automatically subscribed with a deduction of 12.99 euros per month or if it was offered to them. It is indeed the latter option that is correct.

Similarly, the message implies that nothing has changed for other drivers, but the idea is indeed to relieve charging areas by encouraging subscriptions, and thus retaining “rival” customers. It’s the game. The price difference between “subscribed” and “non-subscribed” kW will be sufficiently large that switching to the subscription will seem obvious.

Always better than Ionity

Staying true to its misinformation policy, Tesla does not say much more and invites users to refer to its app to know, in real-time, the price of kW depending on the stations and peak hours (averaging from 0.20 to 0.39 euros / kWh). Prices can double within the same day based on peak or off-peak hours. Similarly, Mobiwisy noted that on days of vacation departures or traffic peaks, prices could spike opportunistically.

Finally, Tesla’s monthly subscription logic is not scandalous. The American manufacturer has invested in the largest charging network in the world and can profit from it today. Its main European competitor, Ionity, also charges a subscription fee of 5.99 euros per month to access slightly lower rates of about 30% (0.39 euro / kWh with Ionity Passport, compared to 0.59 euro / kWh with Ionity Direct). Even with these reduced rates, they remain much higher than Tesla’s.

Now we must wonder when Tesla will enforce a subscription card for cheaper gasoline as well…

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