Kibishi, a YouTube personality, tested Tesla's new feature allowing non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) to use their Superchargers. He used a Rivian R1T to charge at a Tesla Supercharger in Brewster, New York. The process required him to create a Tesla account, find a compatible charger, and use an adapter to connect the Rivian to the Supercharger. While the charging process was successful, Kibishi noted some issues, including:
* Non-Tesla EVs may not be optimized for Tesla's Supercharger layout, leading to parking and charging difficulties.
* The charging speed may not be as fast as it could be due to the 400-volt setup designed for Teslas.
* The etiquette for non-Tesla EV owners using Tesla Superchargers is still unclear, particularly when it comes to parking and accessing charging spots.
Despite these challenges, Kibishi believes this development is a "game-changer" for non-Tesla EV owners, providing them with a more reliable and convenient charging option.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Tesla has opened up some of its superchargers to be used by non-Tesla electric vehicles (EVs).
2. To use a Tesla supercharger with a non-Tesla EV, the user must open the Tesla app, make an account, and select "Charge your non-Tesla".
3. The user must then select the charging stall they are using and confirm the charge.
4. Tesla has retrofitted some of its superchargers with a built-in CCS adapter to accommodate non-Tesla EVs.
5. The charging experience for non-Tesla EVs is not as seamless as for Tesla owners, requiring more manual input and potentially longer charging times.
6. The parking layout at Tesla supercharger stations is optimized for Teslas, which can cause issues for non-Tesla EVs with different charge port locations.
7. The cost of charging at a Tesla supercharger is 39 cents per kilowatt with a membership and 49 cents without.
8. The charging speed for non-Tesla EVs may not be optimized, as the Tesla supercharger is designed for Teslas.
9. The etiquette for non-Tesla EV owners using Tesla superchargers is still evolving and may require communication with other owners to ensure smooth charging experiences.
10. Currently, only a few Tesla superchargers in the US have been retrofitted to accommodate non-Tesla EVs.
11. The author's Rivian R1T was able to charge at a Tesla supercharger, but with some limitations and awkwardness due to the different charge port location.
12. The author's charging experience was successful, with a cost of $30 to charge from 30% to 85% in half an hour.
13. The author believes that this development is a game-changer for non-Tesla EV owners, providing more charging options and improving the overall EV experience.