Owners of non-Tesla electric automobiles will be very happy now that Tesla agreed to expand its extensive charging network across the country in exchange for the Biden administration footing the bill.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has agreed with the US government to supply over 7,000 open-access chargers countrywide by the end of 2024, according to government authorities.
The government will pay Tesla to upgrade its existing chargers and install new EV charging stations for Hyundai, Ford, Kia, Volvo, Volkswagen, General Motors, and other manufacturers’ electric vehicles.
The agreement is part of the government’s $7.5 billion plan to support over 500,000 EV charging stations at 50-mile intervals along major highways across the country. The plan was adopted by Congress in 2021.
On Wednesday, February 15, the White House announced that Tesla would strategically place a minimum of 3,500 new and current superchargers along roads, as well as level 2 chargers at restaurants and hotels in urban and rural regions.
The Tesla company’s supercharger network is regarded as the world’s largest, most reliable, and has a crucial competitive edge. Opening up its network will increase Tesla’s charging station revenue because non-Tesla electric vehicles will be charged a higher fee.
There are currently 28,000 charging ports in the United States and 40,000 internationally.
The plug is the primary distinction between Tesla and non-Tesla chargers. The remainder of the industry makes use of a standard charger that is larger than Tesla’s socket. The two, however, have significantly distinct plug-end configurations.
The $7.5 billion will be shared with charger makers, other automobile manufacturers, property developers, retail chains, and others who are eligible for subsidies. Federal officials did not specify how much Tesla will receive.
The deal is part of the government’s goal to address climate change by lowering automotive emissions and making electric vehicles more affordable. Biden wants at least half of all new cars to be electric by 2030, and making charging stations more accessible will be critical to meeting that goal.