(MENAFN) YouTube personality Steve Hammes leased a Hyundai Kona Electric for his daughter Maddie, citing affordability, practicality, and savings on fuel expenses as reasons. However, like many EV owners, Hammes faces the challenge of finding available charging stations on long trips away from home. He is concerned about his daughter's ability to travel from Albany to Gettysburg and where she can charge the vehicle.
Hammes wants fast chargers that take 30 to 40 minutes to recharge, as opposed to Level 2 chargers that would require hours. However, there isn't a good software tool available to help EV owners plan their trips. Currently, planning a long trip with an EV can be a challenge due to the limited availability of charging stations.
The Biden administration announced last week that Tesla will open its Supercharger network to non-Tesla owners by the end of 2024. The plan includes 3,500 Tesla fast chargers and 4,000 of its slower, Level 2 chargers. However, setting up an account on Tesla's app is required for access.
John Voelcker, an industry expert on EVs and former editor of Green Car Reports, said this arrangement will allow Tesla to learn a lot about U.S. drivers and their charging behavior.
However, he does not expect Tesla to commit to additional charging stations. Voelcker believes that Tesla does not want its charging network to be clogged with people whose EVs cannot charge as fast as Teslas.
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