Tesla V4 Superchargers expand to the UK, open to all EV types

Tesla has opened its first V4 Superchargers in the United Kingdom – and it’s available to all models without the need for a smartphone app.

The new fourth-generation Tesla Superchargers in front of its Tottenham showroom, debut an integrated small display for the first time outlining the charging cost, speed, energy output and session time.

Importantly, it allows any electric vehicle model to start charging with a simple tap of a credit or debit card – following new UK government mandates for reliable and accessible public infrastructure.

Alternatively, users can still use the Tesla smartphone app to start and monitor the charging session.

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Image courtesy Autocar [↗]

Tesla owners still have the advantage of seamless plug-and-charge functionality.

The V4 Superchargers are better designed for ‘non-Tesla’ EVs, with a longer three-metre CCS2 charging cable to better reach varying charging port positions.

While it still outputs the same 250kW DC rates as V3 Superchargers, Tesla told Autocar [↗] that faster outputs are possible in the future via an over-the-air software update.

March 16: First Tesla V4 Superchargers open

The first of Tesla’s newest fourth-generation electric vehicle Superchargers has opened in the Netherlands.

The company’s new Harderwijk hub came online overnight and is one of 16 locations in Europe to debut the V4 Superchargers that feature a longer charging cable, which seems to wrap around the perimeter of the stylish slim and tall station.

The upgraded cable should address a bugbear of Tesla’s convenient – but pricey – charging stations, as the network opens up to all EV models each with different charge port positions that can be difficult to reach with today’s chargers.

In comparison, the current V2 and V3 Superchargers have a wider presence and hole in the middle to house the charging cable, instead of being mounted on the side.

According to the carmaker, "currently, V4 stalls are only open to Tesla vehicles, as we test and evaluate performance.

"We will soon welcome all EVs at this site and open new V4 sites across Europe."

Tesla currently has more than 11,000 Supercharging stations across the continent, with the V4s expected to come online as part of a wide scale rollout program.

While rumours have mooted the V4 charging equipment gaining up to 300 to 350 kilowatt DC ultra-rapid outputs, Twitter user fritsvanens – who has already visited the Harderwijk site – reports the V4s retain a 250kW DC output instead, as per V3.

Tesla did briefly touch on the new V4 Superchargers at its Investor Day event earlier this month, but didn’t confirm anything beyond the longer cable – and instead shifted its attention to rolling out a slow AC charging network “everywhere vehicles are typically parked throughout the day”.

Public charging equipment manufacturers are gaining popularity as infrastructure grows globally, with companies such as Tritium, ABB, Jolt, Jet Charge, Zappi, Ocular, EVX, and EO Charging vying in the DC or AC space.

The most common chargers in Australia are made in Brisbane by Tritium, which just reported a record $195 million sales and backlog in 2022 by being the exclusive supplier for charging networks such as Evie Networks and BP Pulse locally, in addition to Ionity across Europe.

However, the company has also been plagued by widely-criticised poor reliability and extended recovery repair times due to ongoing supply chain constraints.