Tesla Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Superchargers with Free Charging Day
Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle (EV) company, recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Supercharger network in Europe by offering free charging to all EV drivers in the UK. This special event took place on Tuesday, August 29th, from 08:00 to 23:59 BST. The initiative was open to owners of all EV brands, not just Teslas. However, the last charging sessions had to begin by 22:59 at the latest.
The Supercharger network was first introduced in Europe on August 19, 2013, in Norway. Since then, it has expanded to include 36 countries and boasts an impressive 13,000 individual chargers. As part of Tesla’s Summer Celebrations, this free charging day was a way for the company to express its gratitude to its loyal supporters and acknowledge their contribution to the growth of the Supercharger network.
In November 2021, Tesla began accepting EVs from other brands into its European Supercharger network. Currently, 15 locations in the UK are participating in a pilot scheme that allows all EVs to use the network. This move demonstrates Tesla’s commitment to promoting electric mobility and supporting the wider EV community.
Last week, Tesla launched its latest-generation V4 Supercharger in the UK. These chargers will eventually be available to EVs from all brands and are equipped with a three-meter-long cable that can deliver power at rates of up to 250kW for vehicles with a CCS connection. Users can activate the charger through contactless card payment or via the Tesla smartphone app. The pricing is set at 50p per kWh.
Although other charging companies have already introduced faster chargers, such as Gridserve’s 350kW High Power unit, Tesla’s V4 Supercharger is considered “futureproof” due to its over-the-air software-update functionality. This means that Tesla can potentially offer even faster charging rates in the future. The V4 Supercharger also features a more discreet design compared to its predecessor, the V3 charger, with a solid box replacing the large aperture design.
One notable addition to the V4 Supercharger is a digital screen that facilitates card payment and displays a digital receipt. Users can easily download the receipt through a scannable QR code. This user-friendly feature enhances the overall charging experience for EV owners.
Currently, the fastest-charging EVs available in the UK max out at 350kW. However, the introduction of 800V charging hardware is expected to significantly reduce charging times in the near future. Tesla’s V4 Superchargers are already paving the way for faster charging speeds and are set to revolutionize the EV charging landscape.
The first V4 Superchargers are currently installed at Tesla’s dealership in Tottenham, north London. However, the company plans to roll out these chargers to Tesla charging sites across the UK, ensuring widespread accessibility for all EV owners.
To test the capabilities of the new V4 Superchargers, Autocar conducted a charging speed test on a BMW iX1. The results showed a charging speed of 76kW, which is impressive considering the iX1’s maximum charging speed is 130kW.
In conclusion, Tesla’s Supercharger network has reached a significant milestone with its 10th anniversary in Europe. To celebrate this achievement, Tesla offered free charging to all EV drivers in the UK for a day. The introduction of the latest-generation V4 Superchargers further demonstrates Tesla’s commitment to advancing electric mobility and supporting the wider EV community. With faster charging speeds and improved user experience, Tesla continues to lead the way in revolutionizing the EV charging infrastructure.