Tesla to Impose Supercharging Fees to Users In China

Tesla in China will no longer allow new users of electric cars to supercharge for free, the company made the announcement on its blog site. The fees Tesla will charge in supercharging electric cars will be used in expanding its network.

But not all owners of cars will be slapped with the fees. Tesla said only those who drive cars with models such as Models S and X. The soon-to-be-released Model 3 will also be subjected to charging fees.

Also, the blog indicated that those who placed orders for cars later than Jan. 15 will be charged with ¥1.8 ($0.26) per kWh. However, Tesla Motors, an American electric car manufacturer, will confer free supercharging credits every year for around 400 kWh.

Only after car users have already used up their 400 kWh supercharging credits that they will be charged for every subsequent supercharging through their account with the company. Tesla's supercharging credits are renewable every year for as long as they are using the electric auto.

In addition to supercharging fees, car users will also be charged with "idle fee," whenever they fail to get their car from supercharging station after charging. Unlike supercharging fee, the idle fee is higher at ¥2.60 ($0.38) per minute, which begins five minutes following its full charge.

Although the new policy designed by Tesla is consistent in all its branches across the globe, such policy might not be well-received by its users who have been complaining about the company's benefits.

Many of Tesla electric auto owners in China are not enthusiastic fans, but rather critical of the company.

Tesla began catering to Chinese market late in 2013 when its showroom was launched in Beijing. Its distribution across China started in February of the following year.

Earlier, it was announced that China's stricter policy on emission would likely result in higher demand for electric cars.

Reportedly, Audi will join the competition in Chinese market.