You probably know all about Teslas, but you might not know about the Tesla Supercharger points.
These are part of the Supercharger network which is basically a fast (and sometimes free) way to charge your Tesla, and even certain non-Tesla cars.
Let's find out all about it . . .
So, What Is It?
As above, it's basically an electric car charging network with charging stations dotted all over the country.
Although mainly intended for Tesla drivers and Tesla owners, there are a few exceptions, as we'll see.
How Many Tesla Superchargers Are There in the UK?
At the time of writing, Tesla now has over 1000 dedicated Superchargers situated at over 100 locations across the UK.
The very first Supercharger went live in 2014 at London's Royal Victoria Dock, whilst the 1000th example was opened at Ruxley Manor in 2022.
However, Europe alone only accounts for around 25% of all Supercharger charging points, with China taking up slightly more and the USA in the lead with around 40%.
How to Use a Tesla Supercharger
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 . . . (well, and 4 in this case!)
1. Find a charging station using a mobile app or the car's in-built maps system (you'll be told how far away it is, how many chargers are vacant and what your battery percentage will be when you arrive)
2. Pull up to one of the charge points, unhook the charger from the unit and move it close to the car's charging port, upon which the flap will open automatically to reveal the charging port.
3. Once everything is connected, a green light will show to confirm that it's charging
4. During this process, you can either watch the charge increase on the infotainment system (a bit like watching paint dry . . .), or you can go elsewhere and periodically check up on the progress via the Tesla app on your phone.
Is Charging at Tesla Superchargers Free?
It depends on the date of your model.
Charging at Tesla Supercharger points is free if you drive a Tesla ordered before 15th January 2017. But if you got your Tesla at a later date, then unfortunately you'll need to pay to use Supercharger points.
So if you drive, say, a used 2016 Tesla Model S, then you will have just missed out on qualifying for free Supercharging.
And if you're not actually sure what date you received your car, you can always double-check via your Tesla account.
How Much Does it Cost to Use a Tesla Supercharger in the UK?
As mentioned, you can only charge for free at Supercharger points if you got your Tesla before a certain point in time.
If that doesn't apply to you, then the exact price for charging at Supercharger points can vary depending on the charger.
The steepest prices could be around 70p per kW, meaning that you'd be looking at a £70 bill to charge a Tesla Model S from 0-100% (although chances are you'd rarely be charging from an 'empty tank'). Generally though, you'd pay less than that.
And from September 2022, there's evidence to suggest that the cost to charge an electric car is now almost roughly the same as the cost to refill with petrol or diesel.
And remember, if you have regular access to home charging facilities, then you can take advantage of cheaper off-peak prices.
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla?
Not too long.
Most UK Tesla Supercharger points offer charging speeds of 150kW, and some more modern points even offer up to 250kW – which would get a Model 3 battery from 10% to 80% in a mere 30 minutes.
You're probably on the go and don't want to spend too much time at a charger, so you're going to get a pretty good turnaround time either way, even if you don't have enough time to charge to 100%.
Which Cables do Tesla Superchargers Use?
Every Supercharger station has two types of cable: a Type 2 and a CSS, both of which allow for rapid charging.
A Type 2 cable is best if you have a pre-facelift Model X or Model S, whereas a CSS cable is best for newer Tesla models.
What's the Difference Between a Tesla Destination Charger and Supercharger?
As mentioned, Tesla Superchargers rank among the fastest EV charge points around, delivering electricity at a rate of up to 250kW, though 150kW points are more common.
The difference with Destination chargers is that they're a lot slower, charging at a rate of just 7-22kW, and they also tend to be free.
Also, whereas Superchargers are often found at motorway service stations and other stop-off points, Destination chargers are found at (surprise, surprise) places which typically serve as the final destination for drivers.
Can Any Car Use a Tesla Charging Station?
Traditionally, it's been the case that only Tesla drivers have been able to make use of superchargers, meaning you'd have to drive one of the brand's cars (Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y) in order to benefit.
However, there's are now exceptions to that rule.
Tesla Supercharger Trial: Allowing Other Brands Access
That's because Tesla is starting to open up the network to electric cars from other manufacturers, but this is only happening as a pilot scheme which came into effect in May 2022, with 158 chargers across the UK taking part. (Likewise, certain Destination chargers have points that can be used by other EVs, so long as they have a Type 2 charge port.)
So here in the UK, there's only a few select charging points that accept charging for non-Tesla drivers.
Luckily, you can locate them all through the Tesla mobile app to check if there's any nearby.
How Much Do Non-Tesla Drivers Have to Pay to Use a Supercharger?
Originally you'd pay more, at around 77p per kW as opposed to the 67 per kW rate enjoyed by Tesla drivers, but this was cut back in winter 2022/23, so that you now pay the same standard rate as Tesla drivers.
Prices can of course vary by site, you'll be able to see a breakdown of the costs for each one on the Tesla app.
Summary
Well, if you didn't know a thing about Tesla's Supercharger network, you hopefully do now. It's definitely a fast way to get back up to speed again – and totally free if you got your Tesla prior to January 15th 2017.
Charge away!
FAQs
Are Tesla charging points free?
Yes and no. If you got your Tesla prior to 15th January 2017, then using the Supercharger network is free. Otherwise, you'll have to pay.
How do you use Tesla Supercharger points?
It's pretty simple. Just plug in and the charge point will automatically communicate with your car and your Supercharger account. You'll then be able to monitor the progress via the Tesla smartphone app or your car's infotainment screen.
How much is 10000 Tesla Supercharger miles worth?
Depending on your exact vehicle and location, 10000 Tesla Supercharger miles will be worth around $500.
How many Tesla charging points in UK?
At the time of writing, there are more than 1000 Supercharger Tesla charging stations (or 'stalls', as Tesla likes to call them) located at sites across the UK.