Tesla may allow other automakers on its Supercharger network

Tesla’s talked about opening its Supercharger network to other automakers for years, without result.

But at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s 28th Annual Energy Fair in Wisconsin recently Tesla chief technical officer Jeffrey Brian ‘JB’ Straubel says they’re “actively talking to other car makers and we are trying to figure out a structure to work with them” about using the network, reports Electrek.

Straubel also acknowledges congestion is still a problem on the network.

Tesla recently announced further network expansions and introduced a new pay-per-use system that could facilitate the introduction of other automakers’ new vehicles on the network.

Tesla has also joined the CCS charging standard association. That means they plan to take steps to promote the system, which could mean broader compatibility at their Superchargers than their current proprietary connector.

Several automakers believe Tesla won’t the only electric automaker with vehicles capable of charging at 100kW+ charge rates before long. Especially German premium automakers, like Porsche, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, which have all announced new electric vehicles coming in the next two years that should accept significant DC fast-charging.