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For a company that received billions in subsidies having open infrastructure really shouldn't be a choice IMO. But the government is probably more to blame for

For a company that received billions in subsidies having open infrastructure really shouldn't be a choice IMO. But the government is probably more to blame for not making it mandatory.

toomuchtodo 5y ago
No other automaker built a network [1], and Tesla used vehicle profits from the S and X to do it. The subsidies received were used to bootstrap manufacturing capacity, and all other automakers were eligible for them if they had built EVs (Tesla's DOE loan was paid back 9 years early, with interest [2]). Only recently did they open a manufacturing facility in China solely to build Supercharger stations [3] (older versions of Superchargers were bespoke, built with Model S and X stacked inverters; newer versions are purpose built). TLDR Tesla recognized the charging story was crucial to EV sales, and spent the capital to have a superior product. To this day, no other automaker is doing the same. [1] Electrify America doesn't count, as it was funded out of VW's Dieselgate settlement, which is also why it couldn't be VW branded and the EA brand was created: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/10/vws-2-billion-penalty-for-diesel-scam-builds-ev-charging-network-across-us.html https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/10/vws-2-billion-penalty-for-di... [2] https://www.tesla.com/blog/tesla-repays-department-energy-loan-nine-years-early https://www.tesla.com/blog/tesla-repays-department-energy-lo... (May 22, 2013: Tesla Motors announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the Department of Energy in 2010. In addition to payments made in 2012 and Q1 2013, today’s wire of almost half a billion dollars ($451.8M) repays the full loan facility with interest. Following this payment, Tesla will be the only American car company to have fully repaid the government.) [3] https://insideevs.com/news/531709/tesla-completes-supercharger-factory/ https://insideevs.com/news/531709/tesla-completes-supercharg... (Tesla Completes Supercharger Factory In Shanghai; It will make 10,000 units (stalls) per year.)
- clouddrover 5y ago
  > No other automaker built a network False. In North America, Electrify America (https://www.electrifyamerica.com/ https://www.electrifyamerica.com/) and Electrify Canada (https://www.electrify-canada.ca/ https://www.electrify-canada.ca/) are automaker built. Trying to claim it "doesn't count" is just childish. GM is funding EVgo's build of 350 kW chargers: https://insideevs.com/news/546869/gm-evgo-boost-charging-plan/ https://insideevs.com/news/546869/gm-evgo-boost-charging-pla... And of course you have Ionity in Europe: https://ionity.eu/ https://ionity.eu/
  - Handytinge 5y ago
    I clicked on the "Electrify America" link and could not see mention of any auto makers on either the page you linked or their "About Us" page. I'm unsure why you'd come in so hot with a link that doesn't back your point, and still not name the auto makers in your text.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
    - clouddrover 5y ago
      Electrify America and Electrify Canada are subsidiaries of Volkswagen.
      - deleted 5y ago
        [deleted]

For a company that received billions in subsidies having open infrastructure really shouldn't be a choice IMO. But the government is probably more to blame for not making it mandatory.

toomuchtodo 5y ago

No other automaker built a network [1], and Tesla used vehicle profits from the S and X to do it. The subsidies received were used to bootstrap manufacturing capacity, and all other automakers were eligible for them if they had built EVs (Tesla's DOE loan was paid back 9 years early, with interest [2]). Only recently did they open a manufacturing facility in China solely to build Supercharger stations [3] (older versions of Superchargers were bespoke, built with Model S and X stacked inverters; newer versions are purpose built). TLDR Tesla recognized the charging story was crucial to EV sales, and spent the capital to have a superior product. To this day, no other automaker is doing the same. [1] Electrify America doesn't count, as it was funded out of VW's Dieselgate settlement, which is also why it couldn't be VW branded and the EA brand was created: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/10/vws-2-billion-penalty-for-diesel-scam-builds-ev-charging-network-across-us.html https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/10/vws-2-billion-penalty-for-di... [2] https://www.tesla.com/blog/tesla-repays-department-energy-loan-nine-years-early https://www.tesla.com/blog/tesla-repays-department-energy-lo... (May 22, 2013: Tesla Motors announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the Department of Energy in 2010. In addition to payments made in 2012 and Q1 2013, today’s wire of almost half a billion dollars ($451.8M) repays the full loan facility with interest. Following this payment, Tesla will be the only American car company to have fully repaid the government.) [3] https://insideevs.com/news/531709/tesla-completes-supercharger-factory/ https://insideevs.com/news/531709/tesla-completes-supercharg... (Tesla Completes Supercharger Factory In Shanghai; It will make 10,000 units (stalls) per year.)

clouddrover 5y ago
> No other automaker built a network False. In North America, Electrify America (https://www.electrifyamerica.com/ https://www.electrifyamerica.com/) and Electrify Canada (https://www.electrify-canada.ca/ https://www.electrify-canada.ca/) are automaker built. Trying to claim it "doesn't count" is just childish. GM is funding EVgo's build of 350 kW chargers: https://insideevs.com/news/546869/gm-evgo-boost-charging-plan/ https://insideevs.com/news/546869/gm-evgo-boost-charging-pla... And of course you have Ionity in Europe: https://ionity.eu/ https://ionity.eu/
- Handytinge 5y ago
  I clicked on the "Electrify America" link and could not see mention of any auto makers on either the page you linked or their "About Us" page. I'm unsure why you'd come in so hot with a link that doesn't back your point, and still not name the auto makers in your text.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
  - clouddrover 5y ago
    Electrify America and Electrify Canada are subsidiaries of Volkswagen.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]