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Why Tesla wants to open its Supercharger to the competition
In a very bold move, Musk is considering opening the company’s intellectual property (IP) for its Superchargers inviting the competition in, breaking away from outmoded fights.
Just when you think you had Tesla figured out, Elon Musk, Tesla Motors’ CEO, throws in another bit to the overall electric vehicle (EV) picture, once again, changes the background.
Tesla embraces openness
The one thing almost all companies have in common is secrecy. Carmakers are no different and jealously keep trade secrets. What makes Tesla Motors unique and part of its success, is its engineering, which is off limit to GM, Ford and the rest. Companies edge out their products and services by keeping their know-how in-house in order to dominate a market, or a part of it. Even if some things are off limits, all carmakers pull apart others’ cars to see how they were engineered. If this was an effective strategy until now, it has its limits. Pushed to the maximum, it strangles markets and consumers are left to pay the price. There is less choice and innovations. Eventually, someone has to break the trends and breath new life. Is this what Tesla is trying to do? Not so fast.
Supercharge me and everyone else
Elon Musk says someone has to take the first step and Tesla Motors is the company to show the way forward. We couldn’t agree more. We’re tired of living in the stone age, we want a modern world that holds up to its promise and potential.
A company opening up the IP of its Supercharger network to create a “standard technical specification that other electric car makers can adopt,” as Engadget puts it, is a bold move forward.
But is it naïve, or simply a brilliant move forward when the competition is locked in a futile fight? The question is, who stands to gain the most from such a move.
Tesla is willing give away some of its IP in order for other makers to charge at its Superchargers. It also hopes to by-pass the CHAdeMO and SAE fight, as well as the upcoming Chinese charging network with its own protocol. Tesla might charge a modest fee return, but that is nothing for such a juggernaut. Musk sees, as most of us do, that the automobile industry is in disarray and still grapples over how to create a thriving business model with electric vehicles (EV). If the industry, used to making internal combustion engines (ICE), it doesn’t know what to do with an electric motor and batteries, even less with a charging network. Luckily, Tesla took a lead early there.
So far Nissan is one of the only carmaker to grow the network with CHAdeMO chargers at its dealerships. Then, there is the SAE Combo standard trying to muscle its way in, fighting against CHAdeMO. The absurd fight ended last year with a standstill, forcing once again consumers to choose one or the other, losing in the short run. So what can Tesla Motors do with its own Supercharger system watching another Chinese charger standard take advantage of the confusion? Open its doors and leapfrog the infighting competitors. It works to everyone’s advantage and the company comes out on top. Simple, brilliant, and so Tesla.
Standards come in two ways, officially, or de facto. For those of you seasoned enough to remember, we once had a choice between a good quality Betamax, and a rather inferior VHS system. VHS became a de facto standard after a deep pocket campaigns turned a generation on to it. The same almost happened to DVD recording, and there are plenty of other examples still. Tesla opening its IP doors to the competition is a bold move above the fray, and one we can be happy about since it will benefit the entire EV community. Hopefully, it will also stop this infighting caveman mentality companies have, pushing their visions on consumers. When you get down to it, what’s important is to have a nationwide charging network that works for as many cars as possible, regardless of makers, backers or other financial interests. Tesla does it again.
Tesla entered two new markets this week by advancing its presence in Latvia (Europe) and officially launching operations in Uruguay (South America), marking a rapid dual-continent expansion.
These moves underscore the company’s strategy to tap into emerging EV markets with supportive policies, renewable energy grids, and growing demand for sustainable transport.
Latvia: Strengthening the Baltic Footprint
In Latvia, Tesla has built on its earlier registration of Tesla Latvia SIA in late 2025 with recent steps toward full operations, including job postings for a service center and representation in Riga. This aligns with broader Baltic expansion following Lithuania’s model of pop-up stores and service centers.
Coming to Latvia https://t.co/XNkQQJ2O6a pic.twitter.com/yS9kpcNky1
— Tesla Europe, Middle East & Africa (@teslaeurope) July 17, 2026
EV penetration in Latvia stands at around 7 percent for BEVs in new passenger car registrations. 2025 data showed 1,602 BEVs out of about 22,500 total, or 7.1 percent, with combined plug-ins nearing 19 percent. Growth has been steady but below the European average, supported by government subsidies and infrastructure development. Tesla models like the Model 3 lead local EV registrations.
Vehicles for the Latvian market will likely be sourced from Gigafactory Berlin or Gigafactory Shanghai. Charging infrastructure is robust for the region as well, with over 400- 2,000 public points, with Tesla Superchargers in Riga, Jūrmala, and along Via Baltica routes offering up to 250 kW.
Uruguay: Third South American Country
Tesla teased its Uruguay arrival with “Estamos llegando,” or, “We are arriving,” on social media, followed by an official presentation scheduled for mid-July.
Hola Uruguay 🇺🇾
Nuestros Model 3 y Model Y están cada vez mas cerca! pic.twitter.com/FR41fsA7um
— Tesla Latinoamérica (@Tesla_LatAm) June 30, 2026
The company established Tesla Uruguay SAS, homologated Model 3 and Model Y (three versions each), and appointed local leadership. This makes Uruguay Tesla’s third official South American market after Chile and Colombia.
Uruguay boasts one of Latin America’s highest EV penetrations, with battery-electric vehicles exceeding 20 percent market share recently, driven by tax incentives, high fuel prices, and a nearly 95-100 percent renewable electricity grid. Hundreds of Teslas already operate via grey imports, but official sales bring warranties, service, and support.
Vehicles will be imported from Gigafactory Shanghai, enabling competitive pricing for Model 3 and Model Y. Charging plans include Supercharger development alongside existing infrastructure, leveraging the country’s green energy advantage for affordable operation.
Tesla Superchargers follow Model 3 and Model Y to South American country
Tesla’s Dual Continent Expansion
Tesla’s simultaneous push into Latvia and Uruguay demonstrates efficient scaling: prioritizing service and infrastructure first, then direct sales in high-potential niches. In Europe, it fills Baltic gaps; in Latin America, it counters Chinese dominance while leveraging renewables.
This dual move signals Tesla’s ambition to accelerate global EV adoption amid varying regional paces. By addressing local needs, like subsidies in Latvia or incentives and green grids in Uruguay, Tesla not only boosts volumes but advances its mission of sustainable energy.
For investors and consumers, it highlights resilience and opportunity in diverse markets, potentially paving the way for further growth in underserved regions. With strong fundamentals in both, these entries could yield long-term gains as EV transitions mature worldwide.
SpaceX has announced a new target date for the thirteenth test flight of Starship: Monday, July 20, with the launch window opening at 6:45 p.m ET/5:45 p.m. CT.
This is the first rescheduling attempt of Starship’s 13th test flight. It was set to launch last night, but SpaceX scrubbed the launch attempt.
🚨 SpaceX is now looking at Monday, July 20th at 6:45 p.m ET/5:45 p.m. CT for the 13th test flight of Starship pic.twitter.com/7s8aMJV5Ge
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 17, 2026
CEO Elon Musk revealed that some of the engines on Starship did not start, which automatically triggers a launch abort. Two of the Raptor engines will be removed and replaced.
To be confident of a good flight, 2 Raptors will be removed & replaced. Most probable launch timing is early next week.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 17, 2026
SpaceX officially announced the new launch window this morning.
Starship’s 13th test launch comes with a few new objectives, but SpaceX does not plan to attempt a catch of the booster, which it has done several times in the past.
For Starship’s Upper Stage, there are some adjustments to ensure engine reusability that will be assessed during the ascent, and 20 operational Starlink V3 satellites are also set to make their way into space. SpaceX also plans to attempt an in-space relight of a single Raptor engine, which is a critical demonstration for future orbital deorbit, refueling, and deep space maneuvers.
Ultimately, it will splash down in the Indian Ocean.
The continuous tests help SpaceX advance the Starship program toward eventual full reusability, operational Starlink V3 deployment, and future missions, which include NASA’s Artemis program.
Elon Musk
SpaceX Starship Flight 13 aborted at Zero and Musk just told us what broke
Four Raptor engines failed to ignite at T-zero, forcing SpaceX to scrub Starship Flight 13 Thursday.
SpaceX scrubbed the Starship Flight 13 launch attempt Thursday evening at the last possible moment, after four of the Super Heavy booster’s 33 Raptor 3 engines failed to ignite during the startup sequence. The 90-minute window had opened at 6:45 p.m. EDT from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, and the countdown had proceeded without issue all day, with more than 11.5 million pounds of liquid methane and liquid oxygen being fully loaded into the rocket before the automated abort triggered. SpaceX’s launch directors posted on X, “Standing down from today’s flight test attempt,” and shut down the livestream shortly after.
Musk confirmed the root cause within hours. “Some of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort,” he wrote on X. “To be confident of a good flight, 2 Raptors will be removed and replaced. Most probable launch timing is early next week.” SpaceX engineers began draining propellant tanks immediately and Booster 20 was rolled back to its hangar for inspection.
The timing adds a layer of significance that did not exist during any of the previous 12 Starship flights. This is the first time SpaceX has attempted to launch Starship since the company made its stock market debut in June, listing under ticker SPCX at $135 per share. Public investors are now watching every Starship outcome in real time, and a last-second abort carries more visibility than it would have six months ago.
Flight 13 was designed to be one of the most consequential tests in the program’s history. It was set to carry 20 Starlink V3 satellites, the first operational payload Starship has ever attempted to deploy. Six of those satellites carried external cameras to photograph Starship’s heat shield from the outside during flight, which would act as a self-inspection approach SpaceX has never attempted before. The mission also needed to complete a Raptor engine relight in space, a step SpaceX skipped on Flight 12 in May after losing an engine during ascent. That Flight 12 booster also flipped 90 degrees off course during its boostback burn when five engines failed to reignite.
SpaceX has not announced an official next launch date. Musk’s “early next week” window points to July 21 or 22 at the earliest, pending the engine swap and a return to the pad.
Tesla enters two new markets on two different continents in one week
SpaceX announces new Starship 13 test flight target date
