Tesla tells commercial drivers not to use its Superchargers
new york — Professional drivers looking to buy a Tesla to shuttle paying customers around should consider this: After Friday, vehicles used for commercial purposes won’t be allowed to use the company’s Superchargers anymore, according to an updated policy.
The change in rules applies to vehicles being deployed as taxis — including by drivers for Uber Technologies or Lyft — as well as cars used for commercial deliveries or government purposes. The policy shift is intended to keep the high-speed chargers available for other customers without immediate access to home or workplace charging.
“Currently, in some areas, heavy Supercharger use by commercial customers such as taxis can occasionally impact availability for other drivers,” Tesla said in an e-mailed statement, noting that the change will “encourage the fair use of Superchargers by as many customers as possible.”
Tesla said in the online policy it could limit or block a vehicle’s ability to use the stations if the drivers violate the new rule. The company said it also might exclude certain charging stations or occasional trips from the new policy. “We encourage the use of Teslas for commercial purposes and we’ll work proactively with these customers to find charging solutions that work best for them,” the e-mailed statement said. — Bloomberg