How Tesla Wants to Get Ahead in Charging Speed

Will Tesla soon become the fastest in electric vehicle charging? It is preparing several developments in this direction.

The charging speed of an electric vehicle is determined by two factors. It depends first on the maximum power that a charging station can deliver. And secondly on the vehicle’s charge curve (power is at its maximum when the battery charge level is low and decreases more or less quickly).

When Ionity and Electrify America opened charging stations in Europe and North America offering up to 350 kW, in 2018, Tesla’s V2 Superchargers delivered only 150 kW. Since 2019, Tesla has been deploying more powerful V3 Superchargers, but it hasn’t fully closed the gap, as they have been providing up to 250 kW since then.

V3 Superchargers increased to 324 kW in 2022

However, V3 Superchargers are expected to be updated this year to increase their charging speed to 324 kW. This was disclosed by American entrepreneur Sawyer Merritt, a Tesla investor who has already revealed some details. At this stage, the announcement would only concern North America.

Tesla still wouldn’t match Electrify America, Ionity, or Fastned, but that doesn’t matter in the short term. Indeed, aside from Rimac Nevera, a supercar priced at 2.4 million euros limited to 150 units, which peaks at 500 kW, the fastest on the market is the Lucid Air, which charges at 300 kW for a few minutes.

V4 Superchargers at 800 Volts?

It should be noted that Tesla demonstrates its expertise by achieving charging performances similar to its competitors while using half the voltage, 400 Volts. According to Sawyer Merritt, V4 Superchargers would follow shortly after. And to further increase power, Tesla could simply upgrade its car batteries to 800 V. It probably wouldn’t double the charging power but could significantly increase it.

In any case, the competition among charging network operators benefits motorists. Recall that Tesla is becoming just another operator, as it has started opening its Supercharger network to other brands’ vehicles, in Norway.

Read also: Ionity vs Tesla: how the battle for charging will benefit all connected drivers