Tesla's Latest Supercharger Arrives in the UK for All Electric Vehicles

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【Summary】Tesla has introduced its first V4 Supercharger in the UK, allowing all electric car drivers to use it. The Supercharger is equipped with a CCS plug, making it compatible with most electric car brands. It offers up to 250kW charging rates and features a 3-meter cable and contactless payment option. This move aligns with Tesla's goal of making Superchargers accessible to all drivers. The availability of Tesla chargers will help address the growing demand for EV charging infrastructure in the UK.

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 4:42 PM PT

Tesla's Latest Supercharger Arrives in the UK for All Electric Vehicles

Tesla has introduced its first V4 Supercharger in the UK, opening it up to all electric car drivers, not just Tesla owners. This marks a significant change from the previous exclusivity of the Supercharger network.

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, has been vocal about making Superchargers accessible to all drivers. In the US, this has led to other brands adopting the Tesla charging connector, known as the North American Charging Standard.

In the UK and Europe, Teslas have been sold with the CCS connector, which has become the dominant charging standard. As a result, the new Tesla V4 Supercharger is equipped with a CCS plug, making it available not only to UK Tesla drivers but also to drivers of other brands.

The V4 Supercharger features a 3-meter cable to accommodate different charging port locations across various brands. Additionally, it offers a contactless payment option for added convenience.

Previously, Tesla drivers would connect to a Supercharger and the charging process would happen automatically through the car. However, with the new V4 Supercharger, drivers of other electric vehicles can connect and tap their payment card, removing the need for a Tesla-specific app.

The V4 Supercharger also boasts charging rates of up to 250kW, making it one of the fastest chargers available. While it may not match the speed of some 350kW Ionity chargers, it is still capable of quickly charging vehicles such as the Genesis GV60 and Audi e-tron GT.

The first V4 Supercharger has been installed at the Tesla Centre in Tottenham and is now open to the public. Tesla plans to convert existing installations to the newer and more powerful V4 Supercharger, with over 1100 Superchargers already in operation in the UK.

The UK is seeing a significant shift towards battery electric power, with a 20% increase in registrations of electric vehicles in 2023 compared to 2022. Establishing an adequate charging infrastructure is an ongoing challenge, and opening up Tesla chargers to all drivers will help alleviate the burden.

However, it remains to be seen how this change will impact Tesla drivers. Access to the Supercharger network has been one of the main advantages of owning a Tesla, and if that access is diminished due to open availability, the appeal of owning a Tesla may decrease.