German Transport Minister Calls on Tesla & Other Manufacturers to Make Charging Stations Available for All EVs

Photo: Andreas Scheuer/Instagram

Tesla has been talking for some time about the possibility of opening its proprietary network of charging stations for all electric vehicles. Now, Federal Transport Minister of Germany Andreas Scheuer is urging Tesla to open Superchargers to the public.

During his last visit to Germany, Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with the Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure of Germany Andreas Scheuer. They discussed a number of important issues related to the emergence of the manufacturer in the country and its impact on the entire infrastructure. However, these do not seem to be the only questions that may have been discussed.

Scheuer said he is in contact with Tesla so that the company will open its proprietary network of charging stations for all electric vehicles. “I am in direct contact with manufacturers such as Tesla to ensure that existing infrastructure, such as the Tesla Supercharger, is also open to other manufacturers,” he said.

The minister strives to make electric vehicles the norm, and for every charge to be as simple as possible for owners. “There is still a long way to go so that not every EV ride becomes an adventure, but becomes the new norm. This is the goal. And we are making great strides in this direction,” he said.

Scheuer's goal is the barrier-free use of charging stations from all suppliers for all electric vehicles using a single payment system, ideally via a smartphone. “There are several technical problems that need to be solved, but I hope we can find a solution,” the politician said. To make all this possible, cars must be highly intelligent. They must be able to communicate with service providers to optimize the route and make the travel hassle-free. “It requires a high level of in-car intelligence and real-time data communication, as well as communication between suppliers so that the optimal charging station for the vehicle and route is monitored. You can't be looking for a charger on your smartphone on your own when you're on the go,” explained Scheuer.

While Tesla is already considering opening up its Supercharger network for all vehicles, the issue is highly controversial. The company does not make money from its charging stations, but rather provides a service for its customers—in fact, selling only the electricity that is needed for charging. This is an advantage for all Tesla owners who have chosen this particular brand. Also, the Supercharger network is a huge competitive advantage for the company, and if they become public, then this may change.

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Article edited by @SmokeyShorts, you can follow him on Twitter

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