Tesla's New 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, not just Tesla owners. The Supercharger features a CCS plug, making it compatible with most electric car brands. It offers up to 250kW charging rates, a 3-metre cable for different charging port locations, and a contactless payment option. This move aligns with Elon Musk's vision of making Superchargers accessible to all drivers.

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 9:54 AM PT

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

Tesla has introduced its first V4 Supercharger in the UK, offering it to all electric car drivers, not just Tesla owners. This is a significant departure from the previous Supercharger network, which was exclusively for Tesla drivers.

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, has long expressed his intention to make Superchargers accessible to all drivers. In the US, this has led to a shift in charging sockets, with many brands adopting Tesla's 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 accessible not only to UK Tesla drivers but also to drivers of other brands.

The V4 Supercharger offers charging rates of up to 250kW and features a 3-meter cable to accommodate various charging port locations. It also provides a contactless payment option, adding convenience for users.

Unlike previous Superchargers in the UK, which have already used CCS, the V4 Supercharger includes a 3-meter cable to better accommodate different charging port locations across various brands. Additionally, it offers a contactless payment option, allowing users to simply tap and charge, eliminating the need for the Tesla app.

While the V4 Supercharger's charging rate of 250kW is not as fast as some other chargers available in the UK, such as the 350kW Ionity chargers, it is still one of the fastest options. This means that vehicles like the Genesis GV60 with 350kW charging support or the Audi e-tron GT with 270kW charging can be charged quickly.

The first V4 Supercharger has been installed at the Tesla Centre in Tottenham and is now open to the public. With over 1100 Tesla Superchargers already in the UK, plans are underway to replace existing installations with the V4 Supercharger, which offers more power.

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, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The availability of Tesla chargers to all electric car drivers will help address the challenge of establishing sufficient charging infrastructure.

However, it remains to be seen how this change will impact Tesla drivers. One of the key advantages of owning a Tesla is access to the Supercharger network. If this access is diminished due to open availability, it may affect the appeal of owning a Tesla.