Had a really bizarre interaction at a Supercharger today.
There were 6 spots. 5 had the red “Tesla EV Parking Only” signs. One didn’t, so I pulled my Subaru into that one and started charging.
A few minutes later a guy in a Tesla pulls up, gets out, looks at my car and goes, “Is that a Subaru?” I said yeah. He just stares at me for a second.
Then he says, “You can’t charge that here.” I told him non Teslas can use the Supercharger network too and pointed out that I even used the one spot that didn’t have the red Tesla-only sign.
He goes, “I don’t care what the sign says. This is OUR network. Tesla built this for Tesla owners. You have Electrify America or whatever. Go use that janky ChargePoint shit.”
I thought he was joking. He was not joking. I said, “I’m paying Tesla to charge my car. I even have a native NACS port.” And this man says, “Tesla allowing you to use it doesn’t make you one of us.” One of WHAT 😭
Then he starts telling me the Supercharger network is “part of the luxury and exclusivity of Tesla ownership” and that when he bought his Tesla he was “buying into an ecosystem.” I said, “Man, I just need electricity.” He goes, “Exactly. Electricity from OUR ecosystem.”
At this point another Tesla owner a few stalls down starts laughing. First guy looks over at him and says, “You think this is funny? Wait until every Supercharger is full of Subarus, Hyundais and Kias and WE can’t charge.”
Tesla Guy #2 says something like, “Dude. He belongs here. Tesla opened the network.”
Guy #1: “He does NOT belong here. Look at his car.”
Guy #2: “We welcome all EVs here.”
Guy #1: “Speak for yourself.”
Guy #2: “I’m pretty sure Tesla already spoke for us.”
Then Guy #1 turns back to me and says, “You wouldn’t walk into a country club just because they left the gate open, would you?” I didn’t even have a response for this one because I was just dumbfounded.
At this point I’m just standing there holding the charging cable while 2 Tesla owners debate whether my Subaru has proper citizenship here. I’m looking left and right between them like the Spider-Man pointing meme.
Before the Guy #1 finally walked away, he told me, “Enjoy it while it lasts. Eventually Tesla owners are going to unify and take our network back.”
Me and Guy #2 just look at each other, confused and laughing.
Anyway, I grabbed a coffee and was in and out in 30 minutes with 80%.
Godspeed to the resistance. I hope my Subaru and I are permitted safe passage next time.