81% of drivers say they will switch to electric as Tesla network opens to all

​81% of drivers say they will switch to electric as Tesla network opens to all

• Eight in 10 drivers said they would feel more confident in making the switch if Tesla opened up its charging network
• Tesla today announced it has opened up some of its Supercharger network in a pilot scheme, instantly creating the biggest fast-charging network in the country
• News comes at the same time as calls to reduce VAT on public charge points

Tesla’s announcement that it’s to open up the charging network to all electric car users could have a dramatic effect on public acceptance of EVs, according to a new survey. 

More than 80% of drivers said they would feel more comfortable making the switch if Tesla were to open up its Supercharger network, in research conducted by electric car experts Electrifying.com.

In the survey of just under 1,500 people, 81% said they would be more likely to buy an electric car if Tesla’s network could be used by all EV drivers in the UK.

This follows the news that Tesla has opened some of its network as a pilot scheme, so drivers of rival brands will be able to benefit from its reliable and fast chargers for the first time. All the Superchargers are between 120 and 250kW and can add up to 60 miles of range in less than five minutes. 

Known for its reliability, Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network is seen as a major selling point for the brand’s cars. But some could see the move as a disadvantage for Tesla drivers who value the exclusivity and relative ease of being able to charge quickly while on the go.

At the same time, trust in the Tesla brand is driving consumers to think seriously about making the switch to electric, with many saying their charging anxiety would be calmed if the Tesla Supercharger network were to open. 

In a bid to level up electric car ownership, Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley is also calling for VAT on public charge points to be reduced from 20% to 5% to bring it in line with the cost of charging at home and for energy providers to introduce cheaper night tariffs at public charge points to help balance the supply grid.

Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley said:

“There will be a large number of electric car drivers who will be overjoyed that they will be able to use the Supercharger network at last. But it’s certain to be controversial among the fast-growing ranks of Tesla owners. The reliable, quick and plentiful chargers have been a major selling point but there are already complaints that the Superchargers are getting busier as sales of its cars have increased rapidly.

“If Tesla were to use the money generated from charging to fund an expansion of the network, this would help to alleviate charging anxiety that we know so many consumers have, whilst also enabling the Supercharger network to expand rapidly.”

“I hope that expanding the network will also help to drive down the cost of charging in public - without levelling up we risk creating a two-tier nation that leaves many people behind, which is why I'm urging the Treasury to look again at VAT on public charging.”

The news comes following research which found that charging an electric car is costing drivers without access to off-street charging nearly £80 per month - or £1,000 per year - more than those with a driveway.

There are currently more than 6,000 Superchargers in Europe, including almost 800 in the UK. Four other countries: Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Austria are also opening up for non-Tesla use.  

Ends

Notes to editors

Survey conducted on the Electrifying.com website between 5 - 18 May 2022. Total of 1,486 participants responded to the question: Would opening the Tesla Supercharging Network to non-Tesla drivers give you more confidence in owning an electric car? 80.6% responded Yes, 19.4% responded No. 

About Electrifying.com

As we head towards the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, Electrifying.com clears the air for consumers to make choosing, buying and owning an electric car easy.

Comprising a team of electric experts, the brand is led by Founder and CEO Ginny Buckley. With 25 years' experience in broadcasting, journalism and the automotive industry, Buckley is here to demystify the electric car and give trusted, independent advice to the mainstream car buyer, enabling them to make the switch with confidence.

She is joined by Nicki Shields, the face of Formula E, host of the CNN tech and electric racing show ‘Supercharged’; tech, gadget and car expert Tomi Adebayo (better known as @gadgetsboy) and Tom Ford, the former host of BBC Top Gear America, Fifth Gear and electric car advocate.”