I think this subject deserves it's own thread.
I have said before on this forum that it is the main reason I bought a Tesla was for the access to the Supercharger network. Before the Tesla I was lucky enough to own a 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) that came with a CHAdeMO plug for DC fast charging (still own that PHEV) so I went out and experimented using some of the other charging networks. Now I only did this in quiet times as taking a charging stall for a Hybrid car with a 13.8 kWh battery 9.6 kWh usable (approx 54kms at town speeds of 60kph for me) can probably be considered ridiculous and if a pure EV turned up and needed a charge I could abort and let them in. But I did want to do my research as thoroughly as I could. So off testing to all what I consider local to where I live l went to Chargefox Port Macquarie and Evie Taree over numerous times.
Now as you all probably know Chargefox and Evie are not like using Superchargers (plug and charge). Once you sort out apps and what charging stall you are at and plugin and wait, and wait and wait, cross fingers and finally if your lucky the noise of contactors and fans and your off. But had to move to another stall on one test, whole site was down on another test and was glad I owned a Hybrid then. Found out about Plugshare somewhere about this time of my testing LOL.
Now I had seen videos of Superchargers in action, grab cable, press button on connector to open flap or push in on flap to raise, plugin and within secs it seems the light goes blinking green and your off. Seems reliable from my research and I definitely want the easiest entry into long distance pure EV ownership. Local EV driving can be done with any EV even my PHEV. It had to be a Tesla for me to travel long distance with the easiest charging experience (especially after my tests) by gaining access to Superchargers. I also could still plugin to other CCS chargers if necessary like Evie etc.
Now I have nearly 10,000 Kms on the Model Y now. Taken it to Sydney two times myself , oldest son took it once to Sydney for state sport championships all using Heatherbrae and Macquarie Park Superchargers and I drove to local Cassegrain Wines Supercharger to instruct my wife how easy they are to use if she goes on a trip with out me. Great experience compared to the other networks IMO.
Now I probably should say this now. I have purposely stayed away from using other CCS chargers. They are slower to get charging but cheaper in costs from memory but I don't need to use them as Supercharges are available for all my trips so far so it would seem unfair for me to go to them and possible delay someone that has no other choice ie they do not own a Tesla. But I would use them if I had to.
Now you can probably see where this is all going.
Is Tesla opening up the Supercharger network in Australia to other brand EVs fair to us Tesla owner's?
Definitely part of me says no. Gaining access to Superchargers was the number 1 reason I bought a Tesla. I know they only get access to quieter Superchargers at the moment but will it stop there? Not sure I trust Tesla about that question at the moment. Has not happened in Europe yet.
Now I myself purposely avoid travelling at standard holiday times because of the chaos I see around here on the roads where I live and as I am lucky enough (or stupid enough sometimes) to own my own business I can sack myself at anytime of the year to have a break if I want. But I have even seen the Heatherbrae Supercharger coming back after a Sydney trip on a Sunday afternoon with only 1 stall left when I arrived so shared charging. Not a holiday time but it was busy. Lakeside Tavern Supercharger is needed soon IMO.
Now part of me says yes. Then I can sell the Tesla and get something that has a better cruise control for example. Then still use Superchargers. But then I will be thinking this is not fair to those Tesla owners LOL. Will some give me that go away you don't own a Tesla look? Yes I bet they do.
Then there is the question. Will it cause Tesla to lose sales and maybe used Tesla's value decline? I think definitely yes. For me it will probably be the last straw after cruise control dramas and I will sell the Model Y. Hopefully before the rush from others.
But a lot of new fast chargers added into the system may make all of this mute or Tesla may never open the busier chargers to others. To me I think why change a system that got me into your car? It just doesn't make sense IMHO. But I could be wrong.
By the way noticed on Plugshare a woman at the Cann River Supercharger complaining that her Kona wouldn't charge. Expect to see this happen more I think.
Ps Maybe we should have a poll on this?
I have said before on this forum that it is the main reason I bought a Tesla was for the access to the Supercharger network. Before the Tesla I was lucky enough to own a 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) that came with a CHAdeMO plug for DC fast charging (still own that PHEV) so I went out and experimented using some of the other charging networks. Now I only did this in quiet times as taking a charging stall for a Hybrid car with a 13.8 kWh battery 9.6 kWh usable (approx 54kms at town speeds of 60kph for me) can probably be considered ridiculous and if a pure EV turned up and needed a charge I could abort and let them in. But I did want to do my research as thoroughly as I could. So off testing to all what I consider local to where I live l went to Chargefox Port Macquarie and Evie Taree over numerous times.
Now as you all probably know Chargefox and Evie are not like using Superchargers (plug and charge). Once you sort out apps and what charging stall you are at and plugin and wait, and wait and wait, cross fingers and finally if your lucky the noise of contactors and fans and your off. But had to move to another stall on one test, whole site was down on another test and was glad I owned a Hybrid then. Found out about Plugshare somewhere about this time of my testing LOL.
Now I had seen videos of Superchargers in action, grab cable, press button on connector to open flap or push in on flap to raise, plugin and within secs it seems the light goes blinking green and your off. Seems reliable from my research and I definitely want the easiest entry into long distance pure EV ownership. Local EV driving can be done with any EV even my PHEV. It had to be a Tesla for me to travel long distance with the easiest charging experience (especially after my tests) by gaining access to Superchargers. I also could still plugin to other CCS chargers if necessary like Evie etc.
Now I have nearly 10,000 Kms on the Model Y now. Taken it to Sydney two times myself , oldest son took it once to Sydney for state sport championships all using Heatherbrae and Macquarie Park Superchargers and I drove to local Cassegrain Wines Supercharger to instruct my wife how easy they are to use if she goes on a trip with out me. Great experience compared to the other networks IMO.
Now I probably should say this now. I have purposely stayed away from using other CCS chargers. They are slower to get charging but cheaper in costs from memory but I don't need to use them as Supercharges are available for all my trips so far so it would seem unfair for me to go to them and possible delay someone that has no other choice ie they do not own a Tesla. But I would use them if I had to.
Now you can probably see where this is all going.
Is Tesla opening up the Supercharger network in Australia to other brand EVs fair to us Tesla owner's?
Definitely part of me says no. Gaining access to Superchargers was the number 1 reason I bought a Tesla. I know they only get access to quieter Superchargers at the moment but will it stop there? Not sure I trust Tesla about that question at the moment. Has not happened in Europe yet.
Now I myself purposely avoid travelling at standard holiday times because of the chaos I see around here on the roads where I live and as I am lucky enough (or stupid enough sometimes) to own my own business I can sack myself at anytime of the year to have a break if I want. But I have even seen the Heatherbrae Supercharger coming back after a Sydney trip on a Sunday afternoon with only 1 stall left when I arrived so shared charging. Not a holiday time but it was busy. Lakeside Tavern Supercharger is needed soon IMO.
Now part of me says yes. Then I can sell the Tesla and get something that has a better cruise control for example. Then still use Superchargers. But then I will be thinking this is not fair to those Tesla owners LOL. Will some give me that go away you don't own a Tesla look? Yes I bet they do.
Then there is the question. Will it cause Tesla to lose sales and maybe used Tesla's value decline? I think definitely yes. For me it will probably be the last straw after cruise control dramas and I will sell the Model Y. Hopefully before the rush from others.
But a lot of new fast chargers added into the system may make all of this mute or Tesla may never open the busier chargers to others. To me I think why change a system that got me into your car? It just doesn't make sense IMHO. But I could be wrong.
By the way noticed on Plugshare a woman at the Cann River Supercharger complaining that her Kona wouldn't charge. Expect to see this happen more I think.
Ps Maybe we should have a poll on this?
