Tesla’s Game-Changing Moves: Partnering with Gas Stations for Supercharger Expansion
Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer, has recently struck two significant deals with major gas station operators, marking a monumental shift in its business strategy. This move is set to dramatically expand the reach of its Supercharger network.
Tesla’s Strategic Partnership with EG Group
Tesla has recently finalized a deal with the EG Group, a leading gas station and convenience store operator. This partnership involves selling Tesla’s Supercharger hardware for deployment under EG’s ‘evpoint’ brand.
“EG Group is excited to acquire Tesla’s latest ultra-fast charging units for our ‘evpoint’ business, expanding our reach across the UK and Europe.” – EG Group
Key Highlights of the EG Group Deal:
Brand Integration: The Supercharger units will be branded as ‘evpoint’, leveraging Tesla’s industry-leading technology.
Open Network: The hardware will operate on an open network, allowing all EV drivers to access the chargers.
Plug and Charge Protocol: The chargers will support simplified and automated payment systems.
Rollout Timeline: The first new charger units are expected to be deployed before the end of the year.
Previous Collaboration with BP
In a similar vein, Tesla had previously partnered with BP, selling $100 million worth of Supercharger hardware for use at BP’s US gas stations.
Tesla’s Charging Infrastructure Vision:
Rebecca Tinucci’s Statement: “Rapid installation of reliable, easy-to-use EV charging infrastructure is a key focus for Tesla.”
Expansion Goals: Tesla aims to be a leader in the EV charging space, hinting at more such deals in the near future.
Implications for the EV Market and Tesla Drivers
These partnerships raise several questions and expectations:
Integration with Tesla’s Systems: Will the chargers be recognized as Superchargers in Tesla’s navigation?
Payment and Pricing: How will payment integration work, and will there be a pricing difference?
Market Shift: This marks a shift from Tesla pushing Superchargers to locations actively seeking them.
Tesla’s Impact on the EV Charging Industry
Cost-Effective Deployment: Tesla’s Superchargers are several times cheaper to deploy than competitors’ fast-chargers.
Industry Disruption: Becoming a major distributor to third parties could revolutionize the charging industry.
Global Influence: Tesla is making significant strides in Europe, impacting the market even after the end of the connector war.
Tesla’s latest partnerships with EG Group and BP are not just a testament to its innovative approach in the EV industry, but also signify a major shift in the charging infrastructure landscape. With plans to increase accessibility and user-friendliness of EV chargers, Tesla is indeed driving towards a more sustainable future.
References and Facts
The recent deal between Tesla and the EG Group, a gas station and convenience store operator, to sell Supercharger hardware has significant implications for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Here are some related news and facts about this deal:
Tesla has signed a deal with the EG Group to sell its Supercharger hardware to be deployed as an EG-branded product, marking the second such deal in a few weeks13.
This agreement follows a similar deal with BP, where Tesla sold $100 million worth of Supercharger hardware to be deployed at BP gas stations across the US under the BP brand124.
The EG Group’s acquisition of Tesla’s ultra-fast charging units for its ‘evpoint’ business in the UK and Europe represents a significant shift in Tesla’s approach to its charging infrastructure24.
The chargers, branded as “evpoint,” will utilize Tesla’s technology but will operate on an open network, allowing all drivers, regardless of vehicle brand, to access these chargers4.
EG Group aims to have more than 20,000 EV chargers in addition to the 600 it already has, as part of its plan to assist the global transition to a lower carbon future3.