Tesla just opened up a new game-changer for electric vehicles. For the first time, the company is selling its famous Superchargers to outside businesses. This strategy could totally transform the electric vehicle charging market.
Think about it: high costs, the chance to make money, and how it impacts local shops. This move promises to shake up the world of fast charging. And what if you could get one for your own home?
Your Own Tesla Power Hub
Tesla’s Supercharger network has always been a huge advantage. These tall, electric charging points popped up across America over a decade ago. Now, with Tesla car sales slowing globally, the company is focusing more on charging infrastructure. This is especially true in places like Europe.
Just last Friday, Tesla launched a new program in the US. Businesses can now buy their own “white-label” Superchargers. They can even add a custom logo to each unit. But there’s a catch: you need to buy at least four units at once.
Here’s how it works: Buyers pay for the charging gear. Then they hire a team to install it. Tesla provides the hardware, software, and ongoing support. This helps turn empty parking lots into fast-charging spots for all EV brands and models.
This isn’t Tesla’s first outside deal. In 2023, the company sold $100 million (about €85 million) worth of Superchargers to BP Pulse. That’s another major charging network. But this new program is the first time Tesla’s hardware is widely available to any company.
A New Business Direction for Tesla
This move comes at a key time for Tesla. Last year, global vehicle deliveries dropped. This hadn’t happened in over ten years. The company expects another year with no sales growth. Revenue and profits also fell a lot this year.
A cheaper model was promised for a long time. Investors hoped it would boost sales. But it turns out to be just a version of the current Model Y. Meanwhile, Tesla’s “Master Plan IV” shows Elon Musk’s changing focus. He seems less interested in the car business.
His new priorities are humanoid robots and artificial intelligence. Superchargers might be the only car-related area Tesla is still heavily investing in. In the last year, Tesla added nearly 1,000 charging stations. That means over 10,000 new charging points.
The Money Side of Megawatts
Tesla doesn’t share Supercharger profits separately. But its “services” gross profit went up 64% in the second quarter. This was thanks to more charging volume. This partly happened because Tesla opened its network to other car brands. It was one of the few good points in a largely disappointing earnings report. Selling hardware to other companies strengthens one of Tesla’s few growing areas. Still, this isn’t a quick money-maker for small businesses.
The firm Socal EV says installing Superchargers can take a long time. It could be anywhere from 12 to 64 weeks. This depends on getting permits and finding suppliers. Each charging spot costs an average of €36,800 to €41,400 (based on US prices in Euros). So, a minimum investment of about €184,000 is needed for a four-station setup. With an estimated gain of €3.54 per session, it would take almost 52,000 uses to get your money back.
More Than Just a Charge
This isn’t the only way businesses profit from chargers. A 2024 MIT study found that stores like McDonald’s or Starbucks saw sales go up. These stores were near fast EV charging spots. Drivers often spend time near public chargers, which helps these businesses. They might grab a coffee or a meal while their car charges.
This could be a smart move for Tesla. The carmaker keeps control of its charging network. It doesn’t pay for all new installations, but still gets some of the revenue. Plus, EV drivers get even more places to charge on the go. While this option isn’t available everywhere yet, this kind of business often spreads globally once proven successful.