Tesla activated its first Tesla V4 Supercharger in Redwood City, California. The station features ultra-fast power cabinets delivering 500 kW. As a result, drivers will spend less time waiting during long-distance trips. Tesla’s Supercharger network has always been reliable and extensive, but its speed previously maxed out at 250 kW. Competitors like Electrify America and Ionna already offered 350 kW stations. Now, Tesla sets a new benchmark with the V4 upgrade.
However, not all Tesla owners will immediately experience faster charging. The Tesla Cybertruck benefits the most. Its 800-volt electrical system allows it to reach the full 500 kW, cutting charging times by roughly 30% compared to the older 250 kW stations. Owners of Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y will still see charging capped at 250 kW. Even so, these models can gain about 322 km of range in just 15 minutes.
The V4 cabinets unlock this speed because they connect directly to the new hardware. Previously, Tesla attached V4 stalls to V3 cabinets, which limited output. The Redwood City station now pairs V4 stalls with full-power cabinets. These cabinets support vehicles from 400 volts up to 1,000 volts and can supply 1.2 megawatts for the Tesla Semi truck.
Currently, only Tesla vehicles can use the 500 kW stations. Tesla plans to allow other EVs later this year. Vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Lucid Gravity, which also have 800-volt systems, will soon access the ultra-fast charging.
As automakers produce more high-voltage electric vehicles, 500 kW chargers will become crucial. They will reduce congestion at busy stations and make long trips more practical. Tesla has just begun the V4 rollout, but its history of quickly expanding the network suggests that ultra-fast chargers will appear widely much sooner than expected.
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