Tesla is the industry leader when it comes to electric vehicle (EV) charging, and its recent efforts focus on improving access to its expansive Supercharger network for all EV drivers—not just Tesla owners.
Enhancing Stall Availability Accuracy
In a post on the social media platform X, the automaker said one of the biggest hurdles in opening Tesla’s Supercharger network to other EV brands is the variety of charge port locations. Unlike Tesla vehicles, which feature rear-left charge ports, other EVs often have ports in unconventional positions.
To address this, Tesla’s latest software update includes an advanced algorithm to detect when a non-Tesla EV is using a short-cable Supercharger stall. With this improvement, drivers can avoid frustration caused by inaccurately reported available stalls, ensuring smoother journeys and greater confidence in Tesla’s charging network.
According to North American Supercharger lead Max de Zeghr, Tesla’s data refreshes approximately every 15 seconds, ensuring more precise reporting of stall availability, giving all EV drivers reliable information when planning their trips.
Expanding Long-Cable Infrastructure
To accommodate a broader range of vehicles, Tesla is investing heavily in Supercharger hardware upgrades. The company plans to roll out long-cable V4 Superchargers at an increasing number of locations, and within 18 months have more long cable than short cable Superchargers. These long cable Superchargers are designed with flexibility in mind, capable of servicing EVs regardless of charge port location.
Site Modifications to Maximize Stall Availability
Tesla has also taken significant steps to reconfigure existing Supercharger sites for better usability. According to Tesla, more than 1,500 Supercharger locations have already been modified to ensure that non-Tesla EV drivers only need one or two stalls to charge their vehicles, reducing unnecessary stall blocking.
Promoting Standardized Charge Port Locations
To avoid these problems, Tesla is encouraging automakers to adopt rear-left or front-right charge port placements, an industry-standard Tesla has championed since opening its Supercharger network in Europe in 2021. This design choice aligns seamlessly with Tesla’s 30,000+ short-cable Superchargers worldwide, simplifying the charging process for EV owners and easing congestion at charging sites.
You can read Tesla’s full post on X here.
