• Tesla launched MultiPass, a service that allows EV drivers to use a single app at multiple charging operators.
• A Tesla vehicle keycard can be used for authentication, but the Tesla smartphone app also works.
• The service went live today in the Netherlands, but more countries are coming soon.

Tesla just launched something called MultiPass, which allows EV drivers to use a single card or smartphone app to charge at multiple charging operators, not just Tesla Superchargers. It’s essentially a roaming service, with the Tesla smartphone app acting as a hub to find compatible chargers anywhere.

The service, which is probably named after the IDs used in The Fifth Element, went live today in the Netherlands, but Tesla said more sites and countries will be added soon. To use Multipass, Tesla owners can activate their vehicle key card or use the app to start charging at non-Tesla DC fast chargers.

This takes away the hassle of having multiple accounts and cards for various operators, but a big question remains regarding price. Usually, other roaming services have slightly higher prices for the convenience of using the operator’s own authentication method, so it will be interesting to see how Tesla handles this problem.

In Europe, most Superchargers have long been open to non-Tesla EVs, so adding this functionality to the Tesla app is a no-brainer. We don’t know when MultiPass will make its way to the United States, but it will surely be a great addition to the evolving but sometimes confusing world of DC fast charging.

With over 23,500 Superchargers open to non-Tesla EVs in North America, chances are many non-Tesla EV owners already have the Tesla smartphone app installed. That’s especially true for automakers that have gained access to the Supercharger network but have yet to integrate the functionality into their own smartphone apps. (I’m looking at you, Porsche and Audi.)

Politics and personal preferences aside, this is a good move that can make life easier for EV drivers, especially on long road trips.

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