I'm planning to buy my first electric car and it is not going to be a Tesla...
However, I have noticed that besides Tesla's supercharger network, other offerings are much behind when it comes to providing fast charging options.
So my questions is, would I be able to use Tesla's superchargers in Switzerland for non-Tesla vehicles? Is there compatibility issues to be aware of? Would the price be an issue? Any advice or experience with this would be helpful.
Tesla Superchargers are Tesla only.
Fast charging is done with DC (not AC) power and the standard plug is called the CSS Combo 2. Tesla uses a different plug (I think they are planning to change).
If you google 'DC electric vehicle charging network Switzerland' that'll give you a pretty good idea of your faster charging options.
Tesla in Europe is both CCS and the Tesla socket (I whatever that‘s called).
Elon Musk did offer to involve other car manufacturers when setting his Supercharging network, but they refused.
So today the excellent Tesla network is Tesla only...
One more point on Tesla Superchargers - and this illustrates the genius of Tesla (yes I‘m biased):
All Tesla owners are registered with Tesla and should also have the Tesla App. The Superchargers have nothing more than the tethering cable - no place for paying. As soon as you connect your car Tesla in California knows who you are and switches on the charger.
The amounting speed of charge are shown on the car‘s screen and the App if you‘re not in the car. The App also tells you when you are near finished charging and reminds that overstaying will be billed to your account.
The first time I went out of Switzerland I was worried the Supercharger might not work for me. But I had no problem in Germany, France and the UK. The App also shows all cost of charging...
This functionality is called 'Plug and Charge'. This means you plug in your vehicle and the charging will immediately start (including all security and payment functions) without an RFID tag or any other handling.
The newest international standards for communication between:
- ISO 15118: Electric cars and charging stations
- OCPP: For communication between charging stations and a charging station management system
are all prepared for plug and charge, but many many vehicle, charging station and software providers will all need to work together before it is a reality. Tesla has the big advantage of being a large closed system.
Currently have the loan of a very nice e-car Taycan while in the UK, and weighing up what it would be like in Switzerland.
Seems to me that the range+charging network of Tesla would still be very compelling reasons to go Tesla if you want to use it for real life travel and not just charge at home to putter around luxuriously pretending you are saving the planet.
The Taycan doesnt feel any more Porsche that the model S I tested right back when they first came out. They all go way faster than you can ever really need on the road anyway. The system interface seems way more old fashioned and plasticky vs the Tesla.