Tesla opens UK Supercharger sites to electric cars from other brands

Superchargers for all! Tesla opens 15 of its UK charging locations to drivers of electric cars from other brands for the first time ever in new trial

• Pilot scheme to open some Tesla Superchargers to all drivers starts today
• The 15 sites contain 158 individual devices that can deliver speeds over 150kW
• Costs to use the devices for non-Tesla drivers will be around £0.60p per kWh
• Membership scheme costing £10.99 per month will offer lower charging costs 

By Rob Hull For Thisismoney.co.uk

Published: 16:12 BST, 18 May 2022 | Updated: 16:14 BST, 18 May 2022

Tesla has today confirmed it will allow drivers of all electric cars – not just its own models – to access its industry-leading Supercharger network in Britain for the first time.

The pilot scheme, which is also running in other European countries, will allow non-Tesla electric cars to use charging points at 15 Supercharger stations – which represents around a fifth of Tesla’s UK charging network.

These sites contain 158 individual devices that can deliver charging speeds over 150kW and prices for non-Tesla drivers will average around £0.60p per kWh.

Superchargers for all! Tesla has today confirmed it will allow drivers of all electric cars – not just its own models – to access its industry-leading charging network in the UK for the first time

Tesla has 87 Supercharger locations in the UK with a total of 780 connectors, based on figures available at the end of 2021.

However, until today these have been off-limits to drivers of electric cars from other manufacturers.

If successful, the pilot scheme could be rolled out across more locations, though this could potentially irk some Tesla customers who will ultimately lose exclusive access to a dedicated charging network, which is one of the brand’s biggest appeals. 

The 15 locations include Grays and Uxbridge, as well as Banbury, Birmingham, Flint Mountain (near Chester), Folkestone, Manchester, Theftord, Trumpington (near Cambridge) and Wokingham (near Reading).

There are three accessible Supercharger locations in Scotland – Adderstone, Aviemore and Dundee – and two in Wales – Aberystwyth and Cardiff.

Elon Musk first hinted back in July 2021 that his brand’s charging network would be open to all electric vehicles before the end of the year, with the first trial starting in the Netherlands in November.

Today, it has been extended and pilot schemes are running in eight European countries, with the addition of Austria, Belgium, France, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

The decision to open up some of the Supercharger network could irk Tesla customers who will lose exclusive access to the dedicated devices – one of the brand’s biggest appeals

In a statement, Tesla said: ‘It has always been our ambition to open the Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs and by doing so encourage more drivers to go electric. 

‘More customers using the Supercharger network enables faster expansion.

‘Our goal is to learn and iterate quickly, while continuing to aggressively expand the network, so we can eventually welcome both Tesla and non-Tesla drivers at every Supercharger worldwide.’

It added: ‘It’s always been our ambition to open the Supercharger network to Non-Tesla EVs, and by doing so, encourage more drivers to go electric.’ 

Non-Tesla owners who want to use Superchargers will first need to set up an account with the Tesla app.

Charging rates vary by site, but will cost around £0.60p per kWh.

Under the trial, drivers are also offered the opportunity to sign up for membership at a price of £10.99 a month, which provides lower charging prices per kWh.

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