The growing Tesla (TSLA +1.67%) Supercharger network is solving the problem for Tesla owners making the long haul between cities. But what about the "around the town" charging problem?
That's where ChargePoint steps in. The California-based company has a 70% share of all networked public charging stations.
Motley Fool analyst Rex Moore was able to speak with ChargePoint president and CEO Pat Romano at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. In this video segment, Romano -- a Model S owner himself -- explains why Tesla's charging network is complementary and not a competitor.
A full transcript follows the video.
Pat Romano: Tesla's a great company -- and I happen to drive a Model S -- I love the car and I think it's a great vehicle.
Tesla's solving, with the Supercharger network, what is known as the "long-haul" charging problem, not the "around town" charging problem, so most Tesla drivers carry a ChargePoint card.
Rex Moore: So it's compatible?
Romano: Yes, it's totally compatible.
When they're at work, or whether they're around town shopping, they're most likely using a charger like this, not a Supercharger, to charge their car because the Supercharger is built to give you a lot of energy in a short period of time, so you can go from, say, L.A. to Las Vegas, where we are -- to be able to make those long-haul journeys.
They're not designed for you to top off your battery while you're working or you're eating or you're going to the movies, or what have you. We're very, very symbiotic with what Tesla's doing.
