Tesla’s Supercharger network, the largest and most advanced direct current fast-charging network in the U.S., is becoming more attractive to other automakers as they launch their own electric vehicles. The latest to join the network is Rivian.
Rivian announced on Tuesday that it will follow General Motors and Ford and join Tesla’s charging network in 2023. The company said that its vehicles will be able to access over 12,000 Supercharger stations across the U.S. and Canada, as well as its own network of over 10,000 chargers called the Rivian Adventure Network.
Rivian’s decision to join Tesla’s network is a sign of Tesla’s dominance and influence in the electric vehicle market. Tesla has more than 25,000 Supercharger plugs in the U.S., more than any other network, and its stations are in prime locations along freeway travel corridors.
Tesla has also invested heavily in developing its own proprietary plug and-charging technology, which offers faster and more reliable charging than other standards.
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has said that he is open to sharing Tesla’s Supercharger network with other automakers, as long as they agree to pay a fair share of the costs and adopt Tesla’s plug.
So far, only a few automakers have expressed interest or signed agreements with Tesla, such as GM, Ford, and Rivian. Others have opted to join rival networks such as Electrify America or ChargePoint or to build their own networks.
Tesla’s Supercharger network is not only a competitive advantage for Tesla, but also a potential source of revenue and collaboration for the company. As more automakers join the network, Tesla could benefit from increased traffic, fees, and data.
Tesla could also leverage its network to promote its other products and services, such as its solar panels, batteries, and software updates.
Tesla could also foster a more cooperative and innovative environment for the electric vehicle industry, as it shares its technology and vision with other players.