Tesla commissions 500 kW V4 Superchargers

The V4 superchargers, which Tesla has been rolling out since spring 2023, are actually a hybrid design: the new V4 stalls were used, which feature a different design for the charging columns and longer charging cables for non-Tesla vehicles. However, the maximum charging power of 250 kW remained unchanged when switching from V3 stalls to V4. This was because the old V3 switch cabinets (or Tesla Cabinets) were still being used in the background. Only the Cybertruck, as an 800-volt model, was able to get up to 325 kW out of the V4 stalls with V3 cabinets in North America; the other Tesla models were limited to 250 kW there.

Tesla unveiled the V4 cabinets, which enable up to 500 kW of charging power at V4 stalls, in mid-November 2024, and has now used them for the first time at a publicly accessible charging park. According to Tesla, they are “the best charging tech in the world.” The carmaker also hopes that the V4 cabinets will reduce costs and speed up the rollout of the charging infrastructure.

However, only Tesla vehicles will be able to use the V4 Superchargers with V4 cabinets when they launch in Redwood City, California – but only temporarily. Tesla will first collect initial data and complete further technical tests. According to the company, electric cars from other manufacturers will also be able to use the latest generation of Tesla’s fast-charging infrastructure in the fourth quarter. Then, 800-volt vehicles from other manufacturers should also be able to achieve their maximum possible charging curve at Tesla without any problems, according to the company. At Tesla, only the Cybertruck can do this; the other electric car models will remain at a maximum charging power of 250 kW at the new location.

Tesla has shared a short video on X in which the Cybertruck is said to reach a charging peak of precisely 500 kW. However, based on the edit in the video, it is unclear how long the Cybertruck can maintain this power. According to the display, the charging process is supposed to take about 35 minutes from zero to 80 per cent – a decent but not outstanding value for a 123 kW battery.

With up to 500 kW, the Redwood City site is by far the most powerful Supercharger in the area between San José and San Francisco, but with eight charging stations, it is rather small. Other locations around Palo Alto, Los Altos and Forster City offer up to 20 charging stations, but only 150 or even 72 kW charging power. For the sake of completeness: charging prices at the new location in Redwood City are on par with those at surrounding Tesla Superchargers, at $0.32/kWh during off-peak hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and $0.48/kWh between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. during the day.

insideevs.com, electrek.co, x.com, tesla.com

This article was first published by Sebastian Schaal for electrive’s German edition