I think it's more than a publicity stunt, it's successful FUD.
First off, Tesla's charging network is better and faster than anyone else's. That said, I think the difference might be overstated, but with a Tesla I know all charging will be easy to locate, functional, and fast.
With another EV I might worry about DC Fast charging standards, who owns it, how much it will cost, whether I am a member of their network, etc. I think it's probably less bad than I assume, but the mere fact that I have doubts helps Tesla.
That is to say, the marketing benefits are likely greater even than the actual functionality benefits, even though the functionality is by far the best.
As a Spark EV owner, I'll say the charging network situation is exactly as bad as you describe. I'm a member of three (or is it four) charging networks (Chargepoint, EVGO, Greenlots etc) and planning trips I have to find multiple locations near where I'll need them because:
- there is usually only one or two plugs, so it may be busy
- or it may be broken because they are not well maintained
- or, last trip a location list as open 24hrs was in a locked gated parking lot.
- pricing is not transparent (is $5 per use better or worse than $0.35/kWh + $2/hr?)
- Some areas are not served well, by anybody including Tesla. I live in East Oakland and there is no nearby fast charging.
Tesla's network is incomparably better.
Fortunately I mainly charge at home so I don't have to deal with the charging network horror very often.
First off, Tesla's charging network is better and faster than anyone else's. That said, I think the difference might be overstated, but with a Tesla I know all charging will be easy to locate, functional, and fast.
With another EV I might worry about DC Fast charging standards, who owns it, how much it will cost, whether I am a member of their network, etc. I think it's probably less bad than I assume, but the mere fact that I have doubts helps Tesla.
That is to say, the marketing benefits are likely greater even than the actual functionality benefits, even though the functionality is by far the best.