As a lot of the EV media hailed the choice by Ford, GM and different automakers to hitch their charging wagons to the Tesla prepare, just a few contrarians puzzled, “What have been they pondering?” Properly, in a brand new interview, GM CEO Mary Barra explains simply what she and her engineering crew have been pondering.

Talking with NBC Information President Rebecca Blumenstein on the Aspen Concepts Competition, Barra stated that GM appeared on the concern from a buyer perspective (round 15:50 within the video). GM’s technical crew discovered that “the sturdiness, reliability and price” of Tesla’s NACS have been superior to these of CCS. The latter is “cheaper and higher,” she stated.

GM drivers will quickly have entry to Tesla Superchargers, along with the chargers belonging to varied different networks that they will already use. “Beginning subsequent 12 months, as a substitute of getting 13,000 chargers throughout this nation obtainable, we’ll have 25,000,” stated Barra. “It was a choice that was not that arduous to make, and we did it fairly quick.”

Ms. Blumenstein famous that GM was one of many first advertisers to “again off” from Twitter when Tesla’s controversial CEO took over the platform, and requested Barra if GM will return to promoting on Twitter. Barra famous that Twitter now has a brand new chief, and stated there may be “a dialog available.”

When Blumenstein requested Barra if she feels she will be able to belief Elon Musk, the CEO’s solely reply was a type of half-smile and eye roll, which acquired fun from the viewers. Barra reiterated that partnering with Tesla was in each firms’ finest pursuits, and can be “higher for the patron.” GM’s crew “labored very seamlessly with the crew at Tesla.”

“In fact we’re going to compete” with Tesla, Barra stated, including that “in lots of industries, you compete and also you companion.” Noting that GM has additionally partnered with Honda and Ford, she added that the auto business would profit from extra partnerships.

Supply: NBC Information