Posted on July 14, 2023
In a potentially transformative move, Tesla has unveiled its V4 Supercharger station equipped with a credit card reader. This innovation could enable Tesla to tap into state subsidies and significantly broadens the use of its Supercharger network.
When Tesla first launched its Supercharger network in 2012, it was a free service available only to Tesla owners. Charging costs were introduced later, and payments and activation of charging sessions were facilitated through an automated system between the cars and charging stations, and via Tesla's mobile app. This approach restricted the use of Supercharger stations to Tesla vehicles.
In recent years, the landscape has evolved. Tesla is now opening up its Supercharger network to non-Tesla electric vehicles, and its connector is becoming the standard in North America. Moreover, several markets are starting to mandate payment systems at charging stations.
Tesla has historically been resistant to these changes, but the unveiling of its Supercharger V4 station signals a shift in strategy. Earlier this year, the automaker turned down $6 million in subsidies from the California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program Rural Electric Vehicle Charging program due to disagreements over "payment infrastructure requirements."
However, Tesla's latest Supercharger V4 station, showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, included an unexpected feature—a credit card reader. This could signify a willingness to incorporate payment systems on Supercharger stations, making them more accessible to all EV owners.
Critics have argued that manual payment systems and displays add unnecessary complexity to charging stations and are often points of failure. However, proponents of manual payment systems counter that these systems are used in millions of vending machines, gas stations, and stores worldwide with extremely low failure rates. Furthermore, they contend that implementing a manual payment system on EV charging stations should not pose a significant challenge.
The deployment of the Supercharger V4 station with an in-built credit card reader has just begun in Europe, with its implications yet to be fully explored. However, it certainly hints at Tesla's efforts to cater to a broader range of EV owners, not just those within its brand.
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