Tesla is expanding access to its Supercharger network for other brands of electric vehicles in New Zealand

Tesla continues efforts to expand access to its Supercharger network beyond Tesla vehicle owners. A non-Tesla supercharger trial program has gained momentum worldwide, with New Zealand the latest market to join the effort. The program allows all electric vehicle owners to use Tesla Supercharger stations, as long as their vehicles are compatible with the domestic CCS2 charging connector used by Tesla vehicles.

This expansion in New Zealand means that six Supercharger sites are now accessible to all electric vehicle owners, representing approximately one-third of all Supercharger stations in the country. This follows a similar move in Australia in early 2023, which saw more than 30 slots available for all-electric vehicles. These developments represent significant steps towards making EV charging accessible and convenient for all EV owners in both countries.

In the United States, Tesla has expanded its testing program for non-Tesla Superchargers by introducing built-in CCS1 adapters in several new states. The move increases the number of Supercharger stations that support non-Tesla electric vehicles. While this is still a small part of the overall Supercharger network, it demonstrates Tesla’s commitment to adding EV charging.

In the United States, compliance with the CCS1 charging connector is a requirement for approval of public funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development Program (NEVI). The requirement is expected to further expand the non-Tesla supercharger testing program across the country.

Looking ahead, Tesla is developing the North American Charging Standard (NACS), which other electric vehicle manufacturers in North America will adopt by 2025. The standard will make charging non-Tesla electric vehicles easier, eliminating the need for adapters and creating more efficiency. The experience is similar to Europe.

The non-Tesla supercharger test program currently spans more than 20 countries, including North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The program reflects Tesla’s commitment to promoting the adoption of electric vehicles beyond its own brand, making electric vehicle charging accessible and versatile for a wide range of users.

Sources: Tesla, EVANNEX