Tesla might open up their patent library
We’ve been hearing some interesting things from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, he recently hinted that he might do something with the company’s patents while also reiterated his company’s willingness to share its fast charging stations with other manufacturers.
At this year’s company shareholder meeting, Musk was asked by an investor what he can do in order to speed up the development and overall adoption of electric vehicles, to which Musk replied that he was considering doing something rather significant and controversial regarding Tesla’s patents.
Then when clarifications were asked of the CEO – at the launch of the Model S in the UK – as to whether or not he’s considering ‘giving technology away’, Musk replied that the question is on the right track. He then slightly elaborated saying that Tesla is looking to accelerate the advent of electric cars and he said that this isn’t going to happen if they themselves put technological barriers up.
In order to further solidify this view he said that Tesla isn’t interested in cutting a path through the jungle just to lay a bunch of land mines on the path behind it.
Neither Musk nor Tesla has outlined the company might do with respect to its patent portfolio.
As far as the company’s network of fast charging or Sueprcharger stations, Musk said that the company’s intent was never to become a walled garden and that the company is more than happy to allow other makers to use its fast chargers.
There are a couple of preconditions however, for instance the cars would need to accept the 135kW output and secondly, rival manufacturers would have to contribute to a bit of the capital cost of the fast charging network. Neither of those preconditions seem to be like they are asking too much of others manufacturers.
