Tesla is now letting non-Tesla drivers use its Superchargers in 3 countries

Tesla is opening up some Superchargers to non-Tesla owners in two more countries.
The company launched a pilot last year that lets non-Tesla EVs use its charging network.
Now the pilot includes some 40 Supercharger locations in France, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Tesla is expanding a pilot program that lets non-Tesla owners plug into the company's Superchargers to France and Norway.

The electric-vehicle maker opened up 10 of its charging stations in the Netherlands to owners of non-Tesla EVs in November. On Monday, it announced the pilot would expand to two more countries. The program now includes roughly 40 Supercharger locations.

Tesla's vast network of Supercharger stations is a key advantage in the battle for EV supremacy. The company has spent nearly a decade dotting the globe with around 3,500 locations and 31,500 individual charging plugs that Tesla owners can operate and pay for through an app. Owners of other electric cars need to rely on a hodgepodge of public charging networks from companies like EVgo, ChargePoint, and Electrify America.

Tesla is now looking to add another revenue stream by potentially opening up its charging network to owners of other EVs.

Expanding the pilot program to Norway is a clear choice, seeing as the country has an exceptionally high penetration of EVs. Around 65% of new vehicles sold in Norway last year were electric, as compared with a paltry 3% in the US. It may be the perfect place to better understand the pros and cons of opening up the Supercharger network more widely.

Allowing non-Tesla owners to plug in could cause more congestion at popular charging hubs, which can see long lines during peak travel times. The plan could also dilute one of the main draws for buying a Tesla over another model. Still, the expanded pilot indicates Tesla is serious about the possibility of making Superchargers more widely accessible.

Tesla says it will "review the experience, monitor congestion and assess feedback before expanding."

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