Tesla opens Supercharger network for one day to allow for free EV charging
Open to drivers of all EVs
Tesla is offering all electric car drivers the chance of a free charge-up at one of its Supercharger locations. The offer is in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the first European Superchargers, which were opened on the 29th of August 2013 in Norway.
Since then, Tesla has launched 1,000 Supercharger sites across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, which means that there are around 13,000 individual charging connectors. There are more than 1,100 connectors in the UK alone, and the California-based EV maker claims that they’re 99.5 per cent reliable, too.
To get a free charge, drivers have to make sure that their charging session starts before 11.59pm tonight. It isn’t necessary to have to have a Tesla, either. Though Tesla’s chargers used a proprietary connector initially, the standard double-decker CCS connector is becoming far more widespread, and Tesla has been piloting the use of is Superchargers by other vehicles.
Tesla already piloting use of network by other EVs
So far, only a limited number of sites have been opened for non-Tesla charging, but the company has said that it eventually wants any and all Superchargers to be accessed by anyone, for a fee of course. Not today, though. Today all of the sites are open to anyone — just pop along and hook up.
How long will it take to charge an EV at a Supercharger? It depends on the vehicle in question in terms of its DC charging rate and the size of the battery. The fastest Superchargers can provide up to 250kW of charging speed. In theory, Tesla’s V3 Superchargers don’t have to share their power output across all the connectors, meaning that even if all of the plugs are in use, everyone can get the full 250kW – assuming the local power grid can cope.
Once today is over, the Supercharger network will be gradually opened up to non-Tesla owners. How much will a charge cost? That’s still to be confirmed. For Tesla drivers that do have to pay, Supercharging costs between 54p and 67p per kWh, depending on the time of day, though Tesla has said that it plans to reduce those prices as the wholesale cost of electricity falls. Anyone without a Tesla is likely to have to pay a price premium to use a Supercharger in the future — right now, in the pilot schemes, non-Tesla drivers pay 77p per kWh.
Potential for faster than 350kW charging in future
The charging is likely to get faster, though. Tesla is now starting to roll out its V4 Supercharger, which is equipped with contactless credit card payment functionality. The first one has been installed in London, and while for now it will provide the same 250kW maximum rate, the V4 has been designed around providing up to 350kW of charging power, matching the most powerful rival chargers. Indeed, that figure could potentially hit 400kW and beyond, but that will probably have to wait for a new generation of ultra-fast-charging batteries to be designed.
“This initiative is part of Tesla’s Electric Summer celebrations and a token of appreciation to the Tesla community who has contributed to making the Supercharger network the largest, most reliable and one of the best fast charging networks in Europe,” said Tesla in a statement.
“For other EV owners, this is a great opportunity to test the network and greatly expand their charging options as over 70 per cent of the network is now open to all EVs in Europe and the Middle East. Electric Summer celebrations started in July and ramped in August with Drive-In Cinema events organised in a few European cities. Another Drive-In cinema event is happening in Bergen today and activities will peak on September 1 with the 10-year celebration happening near Oslo where customers are invited to visit an immersive exhibition about Tesla’s product ecosystem.”
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