What’s new: Tesla Inc. is extending access to its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to other brands, enabling more owners of non-Tesla vehicles to utilize its charging stations on the Chinese mainland.
The U.S. carmaker said Tuesday it has made over 260 destination charging stations and more than 350 supercharging stations in the country available to EV models produced by rivals.
As of November, Tesla has constructed over 1,800 supercharging stations and 700 destination charging stations in China. Supercharging stations can rapidly charge a vehicle and are designed for shorter stops, discouraging long-term parking. In contrast, destination charging stations are typically situated in office buildings, shopping malls, and hotels, providing owners the option to park their cars for an extended period.
Several EV makers, including SAIC General Motors Co. Ltd. and Geely-backed Polestar, have recently announced partnerships with Tesla, making their vehicles compatible with Tesla’s charging facilities.
The context: Tesla in April first opened 10 of its supercharging stations and 120 destination charging stations on the Chinese mainland to 37 EV models produced by its competitors.
The move marked Tesla’s efforts to leverage its well-built charging infrastructure to generate additional revenues and boost the utilization rate of the facilities, as other EV makers race to build up their own networks, according to industry analysts.
Tesla’s competitors in China, such as Li Auto and Nio, have unveiled ambitious plans to develop their own networks. However, as an early mover, Tesla’s facilities have already secured locations in some busy urban areas.
Outside China, Tesla has set up charging partnerships with almost all major car brands including Ford Motor, General Motors and Volvo.
Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com)
Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
