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So what's the end game for Tesla ? owning the best charging network with large network effects, and getting high margins?

• drewg123 9y ago
  I expect that it is evolving. Right now, there are a lot of people who will only get a Tesla for the above reasons. That gives them better market share, and allows them to command a bit of a premium for their cars. Medium term, I'd be willing to bet that they start to make deals to let other auto manufacturers use their superchargers. This would cement their lead in charging, and they might be able to make some revenue from this. Longer term, there will have to be a fast charging network from somebody, especially if Tesla does not open up their supercharging network. I'm really shocked that one or more of the big gasoline companies has not gotten on board with this. They make a lot of their money from the various stuff they sell in addition to gas (food, trinkets, etc). EV "fast" charging is still an order of magnitude slower than gas/diesel refueling, so people will be spending a lot more time in their stores. This should drive up their profit.
• usrusr 9y ago
  Why not? If they stay the only "charger network included, that's why we are so much more expensive up front" offering, they will naturally glide into the Apple niche: high prices that inevitably communicate status, but with a perfectly valid "excuse" for those who don't want to appear like status-buyers. There are worse fates for a company/brand. Failing this, they could still thrive as the dominant charging network if they open that up. Might even work in parallel, opening the network but keeping a minimum number of spots reserved for brand cars at all sites, at all times.