What Is a Tesla V4 Supercharger and How Is It Better Than V3?

Over the years, Tesla has developed various kinds of chargers for its users, from highly powerful public charging stations to at-home cables. In March 2023, Tesla installed its first-ever V4 Supercharger. But what does Tesla’s V4 charger offer, and is it better than its predecessor, the V3?

What Is Tesla’s V4 Supercharger?

As of 2023, Tesla has four different chargers available to drivers: the V1, V2, V3, and V4. The vast majority of public Tesla charging docks use V3 charging, each of which makes up Tesla’s supercharger network. The lower power output of V1 and V2 chargers make them suitable for at-home or destination charging, while the V3 and V4 are considered to be Superchargers and are only available at public stations.

In March 2023, the first V4 Supercharger was introduced in Harderwjik, a city in the Netherlands. The first US-based V4 Supercharger station cropped up in Oregon in October 2023, with the UK getting its own flagship V4 Supercharger station a few weeks prior.

At the time of writing, this new iteration of the Tesla Supercharger can offer charging speeds of up to 250 kW. But the V4 Supercharger may have the ability to reach 650kW, according to a photo posted X of a V4 charger’s specifications in the Netherlands.

Currently, V4 chargers offer the same maximum power as V3 chargers (250kW), but this is set to change over time. Tesla’s V4 chargers are set to reach a maximum output of 350kW, which would improve charging times drastically. According to an X post displaying a Dutch V4 charger’s specifications, the amperage of a V4 is 615A, as opposed to the V3’s amperage of 425A. Therefore, the V4 superchargers should have the ability to provide a stronger electric current for the charging process.

Along with the voltage of 1,000V shown in the specification shown above, a 615A charger could be capable of producing a 650kW power output. Though the Supercharger itself can theoretically produce this power output, the output at the charger connector is limited, likely to 350kW.

Faster charging periods are one of the biggest demands in the EV market, and the V4 Supercharger may help in tackling this issue.

How a V4 Supercharger Differs From a V3 Supercharger

The first thing you’ll notice when looking at a V4 Supercharger is the difference in design compared to the V3. V4 Supercharging stations have a longer charging cable (three meters in total) and are taller than their predecessors. The black and white exterior design includes a contactless payment terminal for quick transactions using a contactless card, smartphone, or smartwatch.

This longer charging cable has been introduced for a key purpose: to offer charging to other EVs and the Tesla Cybertruck. Tesla’s Supercharger stations were initially only available to Tesla models but have since also been opened up to other EV brands in specific countries, so long as they offer a Combined Charging System (CCS). CCS is a standard for fast EV charging but isn’t universal across the EV industry.

Certain Tesla V4 Superchargers, such as those in Europe, do not require Magic Dock adapters for non-Tesla use, as they’re already fitted with CCS ports.

The list of manufacturers offering CCS-compatible charging includes:

• BMW
• Audi
• Mercedes
• Kia
• Honda
• Ford
• Volkswagen
• Jaguar
• Lincoln

Of course, these EVs are not designed identically, so their charging ports are located in different areas. This makes it tricky for some EV drivers to connect their non-Tesla models to a Tesla Supercharger. With a longer cable, the V4 Supercharger can cater to various kinds of EVs outside the Tesla range, opening the Tesla Supercharging network up to even more EV drivers. If you’ve got a non-Tesla EV but wish to enjoy the convenience of Tesla’s Supercharging network, the implementation of V4 charging may benefit you greatly.

Where Can You Find a Tesla V4 Supercharger?

At the time of writing, the availability of Tesla V4 Superchargers is limited regardless of which country you’re in. There is currently a V4 charging station in Oregon of the US, with a station in Alabama also in construction. With almost 2,000 Tesla Supercharging stations (each containing multiple charging docks) in the US, you’re not short of choice for V3 Supercharging locations, but it’ll be some time before V4 Supercharging stations become widespread. The same goes for the UK.

Many countries are yet to receive their first V4 Supercharging station. In Europe, Austria, France, Germany, and the Netherlands have a limited number of V4 charging docks, with the UK also getting its first V4 station in August 2023.

Improving V4 charger availability will involve creating entirely new V4 Supercharging stations, though some V3 superchargers will also be modified to offer V4 charging features, including increased power output and contactless payment terminals.

V4 Superchargers Could Enhance Millions of EV Drivers’ Lives

While there are various kinds of public EV charging stations out there today, Tesla’s Supercharging network is highly accessible across multiple countries. Whether you drive a Tesla or a non-Tesla EV, you can benefit from the V4 Supercharging stations. A longer charging cable, shorter charging times, and contactless payment can all play a role in making your day more convenient.