Tesla's V4 Supercharger Reaches 500 KW, Electric Car Charges Are Much Faster

Supercharger V4. (Photo: Tesla)

JAKARTA - Tesla has officially started its newest launch of its Supercharger V4 which promises a very massive increase in charging speeds, reaching up to 500 kilowatts (kW).

This step was taken to maintain the dominance of Tesla's Supercharger network which has been recognized as the largest and most reliable DC fast-charging network in the United States amid the onslaught of a competing network that began deploying high-power stations.

Currently, the majority of Tesla Superchargers are limited to a maximum speed of 250 kW. The launch of the V4 cabinet, which has been operating for the premiere in Redwood City, California, has drastically cut charging time, reduced station congestion, and made long-distance travel using EVs much more comfortable.

Reporting from InsideEVs, Tuesday, September 30, the 500 kW figure is a significant breakthrough. In fact, for their electric truck, Tesla Semi, the V4 cabinet is capable of channeling up to 1.2 megawatts (MW).

This development is very crucial considering the increasing number of new electric vehicles, such as Tesla Cybertruck, Lucid Gravity, and Hyundai Ioniq 9, which use an 800-volt architecture and are able to receive higher charging speeds. Competitors such as Electrify America, Ionna, and ChargePoint have also started installing chargers at a speed of 350-400 kW, challenging Tesla's hegemony.

Although the V4 features a slimmer design, longer cables, and power electronics that the planet claims are "most reliable on the planet," not all Tesla drivers will feel a change in speed.

Vehicles with an 800V architecture or high voltage support (400V to 1.000V), such as Cybertruck and new SUVs from other brands will obviously benefit.

Meanwhile, for older models with 400-volt architectures such as Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y, charging speeds will remain limited to 250 kW. However, this speed is still excellent, capable of providing a range of about 200 miles (about 320 km) in just 15 minutes of charging.