World’s first Tesla Supercharger V4 launched in the Netherlands

Tesla has implemented the first batch of V4 Superchargers in Harderwijk, the Netherlands, which offers improved compatibility with a wider range of vehicles thanks to a longer charging cable and the ability to offer up to 1 000 V and a theoretical 615 kW of electricity.

Tesla has been gradually improving their Supercharger fast-charging stations, which cover most of the US and Europe by now. Up to now, V3 was the latest iteration, adding up to 250 kW charging speeds for faster charging stops. This new generation, dubbed V4, also offers faster charging… but not for Tesla vehicles.

Tesla is only allowing Tesla models to charge in Harderwijk currently, as the manufacturer is still testing the performance of the V4 Supercharger. Later on, they will be open to all EVs, while new V4 sites will arrive across Europe and the US, either as brand-new locations or as an update to existing Supercharger stations.

Longer cable for better compatibility

The focus for Supercharger V4, instead, seems to have been improving compatibility with a wider range of electric vehicles. Tesla has recently opened its Supercharger network for other types of cars as well, but not all cars have a charging point in the same location.

To prevent cars from having to park at the wrong side of the charger and, therefore, blocking a charging space, Tesla has given the Supercharger V4 a longer charging cable.

1 000 Volts

Another improvement for the V4 Supercharger is the ability to deliver a current of up to 1 000 V. Current Tesla vehicles have a battery pack of only 400 V, so they won’t see any additional charging speed, but several manufacturers (Porsche, Hyundai-Kia, Lucid) have an 800 V architecture, which allows for more DC charging power. This new Supercharger should, therefore, accommodate these models better and charge them closer to their maximum rated speeds.

But there is also a hint of the future with these V4 Superchargers. According to the rumor mill, both the Tesla Semi and the Tesla Cybertruck (will) have a battery pack of 800 to 1 000 V, which means they will be able to charge faster than the 250 kW limit of the current models (S, 3, X, Y).

The V4 Supercharger allows for a theoretical 615 kW (1 000 VDC and 615 A), although Tesla may decide to limit the charging power to 500 kW. This would allow these larger vehicles with larger battery packs to also enjoy a quick top-up session.