Tesla has introduced new control cabinets for its V4 Superchargers, allowing for charging rates of up to 500 kW for various vehicles and up to 1.2 MW for Tesla’s Semi. Previously, the V4 Superchargers were limited to 250 kW, similar to their V3 Supercharger predecessors, but the bottleneck was the control cabinets.
With the new switch cabinets in place, customers may fully utilize the new V4 Superchargers. According to a Tesla spokesman, this will increase charging times for the Cybertruck by 30%. However, the Model S, 3, X, and Y are limited to 250 kW.
The upgrading also provides other benefits. For example, the new control cabinets can power up to eight V4 Superchargers, twice as many as previously. This saves money, space, and increases efficiency. Even the cabinets themselves are simpler, take up less space, and are three times more energy efficient than previously.
However, it is not feasible to charge eight automobiles at 500 kW. Tesla is limiting it to 1 MW per every 8 chargers. According to Tesla, this is a fringe scenario, and only 1% of the time will vehicles receive less power than they can handle.
Tesla’s V4 Superchargers represent the latest evolution in their charging infrastructure, offering improvements designed for enhanced accessibility and performance. These chargers include a longer cable that is externally mounted, making it easier for non-Tesla EVs to connect, especially those with charging ports located in different positions.
V4 Superchargers now also feature a small display with a credit card payment terminal, allowing for ad-hoc charging without needing the Tesla app or an account. This update aligns with EU regulations requiring card payment options for public chargers starting in 2024.
