> "I don't think any other auto manufacturer will become a true competitor to Tesla until similarly extensive networks are built out by Ford, GM, etc."
Given Tesla's success with the Supercharger network, it's tempting to think that this is a model that other manufacturers should follow.
But in reality, it would be a hugely inefficient for every car maker to build their own charging network. Can you imagine how inconvenient it would be if Ford's gas vehicles could only be refuelled at Ford gas stations?
Charging networks that are as extensive as Teslas will be built much faster if they're shared by all brands of vehicles. Manufacturers seem to understand this, and that's exactly what they're doing - investing in networks like Ionity (Europe) and EA (USA).
As for ease of use, yes, Tesla sets the standard here. But other manufacturers will eventually catch up, with technology like CCS Plug & Charge.
I'm not convinced other manufacturers will catch up. As other users in the thread have noted, the frustrations of non-tesla chargers range to every extreme: needing to set up an account, and connect a credit card; stuck waiting for that credit card to authorize; the charger not communicating properly with the vehicle; not having internet connectivity to get the charger to activate--the issues are endless.
I have never had an issue with a Tesla supercharger, ever, and that's the bar I expect out of third party chargers.
All that said, I WHOLLY agree that it would be markedly more beneficial to all if the chargers were standardized, and you could charge (e.g.) non-Tesla vehicles on Tesla chargers. That would be maximally ideal--but I can't fault Tesla for things like their plugs being different when they had to forge the way.
Yeah, the Tesla plugs are objectively better than the "standards." I own 2 non-Tesla EVs, and using a Chademo charge plug is actually kind of comical. A Tesla supercharger plug (which can handle 5 times the power the typical Chademo plug does) is basically the same size as a regular L2 plug, maybe even slightly smaller (big cable, however), and only one port is needed for both L2 and Superchargers.
In an ideal world, everyone would just standardize to what Tesla uses because it's the best. The only exception would be ports that support 800V charging, but that is extremely rare, still (basically, Porsche?).
Given Tesla's success with the Supercharger network, it's tempting to think that this is a model that other manufacturers should follow.
But in reality, it would be a hugely inefficient for every car maker to build their own charging network. Can you imagine how inconvenient it would be if Ford's gas vehicles could only be refuelled at Ford gas stations?
Charging networks that are as extensive as Teslas will be built much faster if they're shared by all brands of vehicles. Manufacturers seem to understand this, and that's exactly what they're doing - investing in networks like Ionity (Europe) and EA (USA).
As for ease of use, yes, Tesla sets the standard here. But other manufacturers will eventually catch up, with technology like CCS Plug & Charge.