Tesla amps up anti-ICE technology

Tesla owners in China will now have a higher chance of securing a Supercharger thanks to a recent Tesla App update.

Ever since electric vehicle chargers were first rolled out, EV owners have had to face the occasional problem of finding the charging space taken up by an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, meaning they can't recharge despite the spot being 'reserved' just for them.

To reduce the likelihood of 'ICEing', certain Tesla charging stations in China have deployed third-party floor-locking devices, which prevent those without the correct app or code from accessing its charging spaces – ensuring they can only be used by Tesla owners.

However, according to Electrek, this system is a bit clunky as it relies on owners having to use multiple apps just to access the charger, rather than the relatively streamlined Tesla Supercharger app.

Tesla has started to take matters into its own hands, implementing the floor lockers at a majority of its new Supercharger stations, while also integrating access to them within its own app, rolling out the Tesla App 4.3 update to Chinese customers.

If successful, this system could be implemented worldwide, although it will add another layer of complication to non-Tesla electric vehicle owners, as the American manufacturer starts to open up its Supercharger network to other brands – something which is currently being trialled in the Netherlands.