Tesla Supercharger Membership Pricing Announced For Non-Tesla EV Owners ($0.99/month)

[kylealden]

Won't they also have to be liquid cooled like the Supercharger cables to handle the intense amount of power transmitted?

That, or just thermally throttle based on sensors in the cable. I think Tesla v3 superchargers are higher amperage than the CCS spec anyway, so they'll probably have to underclock a bit for most CCS vehicles, which may make it a non-issue.

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[kylealden]

I still don't think it's clear whether they will open up existing stations, or only start including CCS plugs on new stations that receive public funding for. Wouldn't surprise me if it's the latter, as retrofitting existing stations is a huge pain. The way I understand the law, I don't think adapters would qualify for funding, it's pretty clear that the station has to provide at least 50% CCS plugs.

My theory is this:

They'll start putting CCS on many new stations to qualify for that sweet sweet government cheddar for those new development projects.

Separate (and likely without incentives) they'll sell an outrageously priced CCS adapter for existing stations. My theory here is Tesla is well aware that their unique charging port is approaching a tipping point where it will flip from competitive differentiator to liability, as the CCS network development ramps up towards leapfrogging Tesla. Teslas will want to have access to all stations, not just a subset; so it's smart for Tesla to do a few things:

1. In the short term, open their network to other vehicles to enable new revenue streams and offset the cost of infrastructure expansion by charging for adapters, charging higher per-kW rates, and qualifying for federal incentives
2. In the middle term, start selling CCS-to-Tesla adapters in North America, so Teslas can access more of the CCS network
3. In the long term, begin to phase towards CCS Teslas in the US, which will have access to many more stations in the next ~5 years.

Tesla's physical connector and experience is no doubt superior, but I'm not confident that will be enough to justify a smaller network (which it certainly will be in a couple years) for much longer.

 

[zipzag]

 

[2025R1S]

Tesla should license their tech. License it so that EV charging brands can build TPC chargers, and EV manufacturers can build cars with TPC charging.

I am of the mindset that TPC is better than CCS. CCS has many challenges that Tesla has already solved.

• CCS connector is massive. It is a massive charging port, and it would require redesigning the Tesla taillights to accommodate the size. It's size is by no means a progressive, or better solution (this isn't like comparing USB-C to Lightning)
• There is momentum. Tesla can manufacture 25k superchargers/yr. And that number was at the end of 2021
• There is density. Tesla just has more stations, and in more places
• It has plug-n-charge without clunky payment authorization process
• It is reliable
• Yada yada

CCS is like HD-DVD in the blu-ray wars. At the end of the day, porn dictated Blu-ray would win. And when it comes to EV porn. Tesla is it (along with Rivian. But Rivian hasn't designed their own connector and installed 20k+ of them nationally).

Instead of trying to make CCS work, it really seems better to cut our losses and play ball with Tesla, if they will license it.

TPC might not win, but I guarantee in 10 years, CCS won't be what cars ship with. There will be something sleeker that replaces it. There is no way people are going to plug-in these massive things for another decade, especially when Tesla is doing it in a connector the size of a index finger (and has had that since like...2012?).

Game recognize game. Tesla network rules. No one wants dongles. Everyone wants to use the supercharger network. So let's just not do the dongles...

My theory is this:

They'll start putting CCS on many new stations to qualify for that sweet sweet government cheddar for those new development projects.

Separate (and likely without incentives) they'll sell an outrageously priced CCS adapter for existing stations. My theory here is Tesla is well aware that their unique charging port is approaching a tipping point where it will flip from competitive differentiator to liability, as the CCS network development ramps up towards leapfrogging Tesla. Teslas will want to have access to all stations, not just a subset; so it's smart for Tesla to do a few things:

1. In the short term, open their network to other vehicles to enable new revenue streams and offset the cost of infrastructure expansion by charging for adapters, charging higher per-kW rates, and qualifying for federal incentives
2. In the middle term, start selling CCS-to-Tesla adapters in North America, so Teslas can access more of the CCS network
3. In the long term, begin to phase towards CCS Teslas in the US, which will have access to many more stations in the next ~5 years.

Tesla's physical connector and experience is no doubt superior, but I'm not confident that will be enough to justify a smaller network (which it certainly will be in a couple years) for much longer.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

CCS connector is massive. It is a massive charging port, and it would require redesigning the Tesla taillights to accommodate the size. It's size is by no means a progressive, or better solution (this isn't like comparing USB-C to Lightning)

Telsa already ditched their proprietary connector in Europe, where they use the CCS Type 2. They've already solved for the "size" concern.

There is density. Tesla just has more stations, and in more places

I'm pretty sure that isn't true. Tesla has a lot of stations, but I think the number of CCS stations outnumber the number of Tesla stations.

It has plug-n-charge without clunky payment authorization process

This is possible with CCS.

Instead of trying to make CCS work, it really seems better to cut our losses and play ball with Tesla, if they will license it.

The opposite is true. CCS won the plug wars. Only Tesla is still resisting.

TPC might not win, but I guarantee in 10 years, CCS won't be what cars ship with. There will be something sleeker that replaces it. There is no way people are going to plug-in these massive things for another decade, especially when Tesla is doing it in a connector the size of a index finger (and has had that since like...2012?).

You're the only person I've heard complain about the CCS Type 1 size. The Tesla connector is smaller, yes... But it's not like CCS Type 1 is a burden.

 

[Tahoe Man]

Tesla should license their tech. License it so that EV charging brands can build TPC chargers, and EV manufacturers can build cars with TPC charging.

I am of the mindset that TPC is better than CCS. CCS has many challenges that Tesla has already solved.

• CCS connector is massive. It is a massive charging port, and it would require redesigning the Tesla taillights to accommodate the size. It's size is by no means a progressive, or better solution (this isn't like comparing USB-C to Lightning)
• There is momentum. Tesla can manufacture 25k superchargers/yr. And that number was at the end of 2021
• There is density. Tesla just has more stations, and in more places
• It has plug-n-charge without clunky payment authorization process
• It is reliable
• Yada yada

CCS is like HD-DVD in the blu-ray wars. At the end of the day, porn dictated Blu-ray would win. And when it comes to EV porn. Tesla is it (along with Rivian. But Rivian hasn't designed their own connector and installed 20k+ of them nationally).

Instead of trying to make CCS work, it really seems better to cut our losses and play ball with Tesla, if they will license it.

TPC might not win, but I guarantee in 10 years, CCS won't be what cars ship with. There will be something sleeker that replaces it. There is no way people are going to plug-in these massive things for another decade, especially when Tesla is doing it in a connector the size of a index finger (and has had that since like...2012?).

Game recognize game. Tesla network rules. No one wants dongles. Everyone wants to use the supercharger network. So let's just not do the dongles...

Car makers didn't want to confuse customers with separate AC and DC charging procedures so they implemented two into one.

I agree, it's clunky at best and requires two hands for some people.
Those with weak hands will struggle and everyone will struggle when it's freezing.
Combine that with manufacturers placing their charge ports at different locations further complicates everything.

 

[2025R1S]

My opinion can seem like a very defeatist viewpoint. But I share the same goals as y'all; getting around in an EV

Selfishly, I will support TPC, just because I know it works, and I don't have to play games. From a usability, design, performance, reliability perspective...it just can't be beat - for North Americans.

After seeing how technology companies evolve; some companies just happen to contribute quite a bit, often in odd ways. I'm totally cool with Tesla just licensing their stuff for a couple hundred dollars, and every EV having TPC capabilities and flawless Tesla charging experience, even if it meant Tesla gets a couple hundred in revenue from every EV sale.

Car makers didn't want to confuse customers with separate AC and DC charging procedures so they implemented two into one.

I agree, it's clunky at best and requires two hands for some people.
Those with weak hands will struggle and everyone will struggle when it's freezing.
Combine that with manufacturers placing their charge ports at different locations further complicates everything.

 

[Autolycus]

Yeah, sorry, CCS won. Tesla is the odd man out in the port wars, and it will eventually become a competitive disadvantage for them.

 

[Tahoe Man]

There isn't anything wrong with Tesla having a closed system with a proprietary port.
Tesla delivered nearly a million vehicles year/year. I'd say they're pulling the right levers.

 

[2025R1S]

If CCS won, then I don't know what losing is. Just taking a moment to read peoples comments on this thread; it sure doesn't sound like a winner to me.

IMO, CCS hasn't won, until the Tesla network is seen as inferior.

Once again, I share the same goals as y'all. Getting Round in a R1S. I just know if my R1S accepted TPC, I could do that easier.

Yeah, sorry, CCS won. Tesla is the odd man out in the port wars, and it will eventually become a competitive disadvantage for them.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Anyone who thinks that’s joining the amazing Tesla Supercharging network will be a pidly $12.00 a year is delusional. Add another zero and you will be in the ballpark.

Remember we're Rivian preorder reservation holders....we're all at least a bit delusional

 

[Craigins]

If CCS won, then I don't know what losing is. Just taking a moment to read peoples comments on this thread; it sure doesn't sound like a winner to me.

IMO, CCS hasn't won, until the Tesla network is seen as inferior.

Once again, I share the same goals as y'all. Getting Round in a R1S. I just know if my R1S accepted TPC, I could do that easier.

You are confusing a connector type with a closed network.

Of course a closed network run by a company that controls the stations and vehicles will of course function better. And add to the fact they had to make a solid network to get customers over range anxiety.

Tesla could switch everything over to CCS overnight and their closed network would still be better than the open network.

As for your dig on connector size, I guess that's a small person problem. Still smaller than a gas pump handle.

 

[Zybane]

I have a feeling Tesla is going to price their non-Tesla Supercharging rates higher than it would cost to fuel a comparable ICE.

They recently raised FSD to a whopping $15,000.

 

[atebit]

They recently raised FSD to a whopping $15,000.

And people are still “buying” it. Now, THAT’S delusional!

 

[R1Sky Business]

I have a feeling Tesla is going to price their non-Tesla Supercharging rates higher than it would cost to fuel a comparable ICE.

They recently raised FSD to a whopping $15,000.

Just normal inflation

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