Tesla is opening a group of its Supercharger stations to every electric vehicle — Tesla or not — across France and Spain, waiving charging fees for one week to help residents and emergency evacuees caught in the summer's destructive wildfires.
Free charging for every EV, not just Teslas
The relief measure runs from midnight on 29 July to midnight on 5 August 2026. During that window, drivers of any electric vehicle can charge for free at the affected sites, including non-Tesla EVs that would normally pay the standard non-Tesla Supercharger rate. Tesla opened most of its European network to other brands years ago, but this measure removes the cost entirely for the duration. NotATeslaApp reported the offer as the fires spread, noting that it applies to all EVs regardless of make.
The goal is practical. With fires forcing evacuations across the regions, free fast charging lets people leave, reach emergency services or relocate without worrying about whether they can afford — or even reach — a charge on the way out.
Which stations are free
Nine Supercharger locations are covered, five in France and four in Spain:
| Country | Supercharger sites |
|---|---|
| France | Arès, Biganos, Mérignac, Bordeaux Lac, Bègles |
| Spain | Castellón, Sagunto, Fuenlabrada, Majadahonda |
The French sites cluster around Bordeaux and the Gironde, the area hit hardest by the fires, while the Spanish locations span the eastern Valencia region and the area around Madrid. Automobile Propre confirmed the Gironde-area stations, highlighting the concentration around Bordeaux where evacuations have been most disruptive.
A summer of fire across southern Europe
The measure comes as a prolonged heatwave has fuelled fast-moving wildfires across southern France and Spain. CNBC reported enormous pyrocumulus "fire clouds" over the Bordeaux region and parts of Spain in late July, with authorities ordering evacuations and closing roads. The strain this puts on regional infrastructure — power, fuel and transport — makes reliable charging a real concern for EV owners trying to move out of danger.
Part of a pattern
Opening Superchargers for free during natural disasters has become a recurring Tesla response. The company has done the same during hurricanes and wildfires in North America, temporarily lifting fees and sometimes raising charging limits at sites in the path of an evacuation. The France and Spain measure follows that template: a short, geographically targeted window rather than a permanent change, as French coverage also noted.
For European EV drivers the takeaway is narrow but useful. If you are in or near the affected parts of the Gironde, Valencia or Madrid regions before 5 August, the nine listed stations will charge any EV at no cost. The free-charging window ends at midnight on 5 August, after which normal pricing resumes. Owners should check the in-car or Tesla app Supercharger map for live availability, as demand at these sites is likely to be higher than usual.