Since the start of production of the Tesla Model S in 2012 and later the Model X , Tesla has also been building its own fast charging stations, which Tesla calls "Superchargers". For Tesla drivers, the Superchargers have become an integral part of the long-distance network.

The more than 50,000 Tesla Superchargers spread around the world make it possible to cover very long distances with an electric car. In this article, we will look at the history of Superchargers and answer all questions about the versions, locations, distribution, costs and use of these, as well as the upcoming opening for electric cars from non-Tesla brands.

The V1 Tesla Supercharger was the first generation to be installed in the USA on September 24, 2012 and was the beginning of the success story of the Supercharger network. The charger managed up to 100 kW, but the power was reduced if a car was also charging in the charger next to it.

Although the V1 Tesla Superchargers were groundbreaking for their time, they were replaced by more powerful versions over the years. The Superchargers V2 and V3 offered even faster charging times and higher performance. Nevertheless, the Supercharger V1 remains an important milestone in the history of electromobility.

The V2 Tesla Supercharger started with a maximum charging power of 120 kW, which was subsequently increased to up to 150 kW through a software update. The design is similar to the V3 Superchargers that are common in Germany. The V2 Superchargers always have two cables attached. One is for old Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X and the other is for all other Tesla models.

With V2 Tesla Superchargers, it is important to always keep a space free between the next car and the charger in order to get the full charging power. The chargers work in pairs. This means that if Supercharger 3 a is occupied, you should not use 3 b, but drive to 4 a or b.

The V3 Tesla Supercharger can charge the Tesla with up to 250 kW. The high charging speed is achieved because the V3 Charger has water cooling for the first time. You can recognize V3 Chargers by the fact that only one cable is attached to the charger. These, along with the V2 Chargers, are the most common in Germany.

The new V4 Tesla Supercharger, which has been installed since March 2023, differs significantly in design from the old ones. The V4 Charger can theoretically charge with up to 315 kW. At the moment, however, it is still limited to 250 kW, as there is currently no Tesla that allows more than 250 kW.

The V4 columns are equipped with new, longer cables that are intended to make them easier to use with other electric cars. Tesla has already successfully implemented the strategy of opening its Supercharger network to other brands, and this will also happen with the V4 columns in the future.

The Tesla Superchargers and the Destination Chargers are two different types of charging stations provided by Tesla for their electric cars. Here you can find the most important differences to the Superchargers.

The Tesla Superchargers are fast charging stations specially designed for long-distance travel and are therefore located along highways and major roads. These then make it possible to charge the Tesla as quickly as possible so that the trip can be continued promptly. The charging speed is significantly higher at Superchargers, which shortens charging times.

Destination chargers are designed for use at destination locations, such as hotels, restaurants, shopping centers or similar locations. They provide a convenient way for Tesla drivers to charge their vehicles during their stay. The charging power at destination chargers is usually lower than at superchargers because they are designed for longer parking times.

Tesla Superchargers typically offer much higher charging power than destination chargers, meaning Tesla vehicles can charge faster at them. The exact charging power can vary depending on the location, but is typically between 150 and 250 kW.

The charging speed for destination charging is lower and varies between 6 and 22kW depending on the location.

The cost of using a Tesla Supercharger varies by region and is calculated per kilowatt hour. The exact prices can be found in the Tesla app.

With destination charging, charging is usually free, as it is often included when staying at a hotel or similar.

Tesla is the first manufacturer to build its own network of charging stations with Tesla Superchargers and is continuing to expand it rapidly. This means that with a Tesla you have one of the largest charging networks in Europe.

With over 50,000 Superchargers worldwide, the selection of fast charging stations is growing, thanks to China's own Supercharger factory. A new Supercharger is now opening somewhere in the world every two days.

This picture shows the current status of Tesla Superchargers in Europe. It is worth noting that ENBW's charging network is now even larger than Tesla's, but it is not just concentrating on important hubs, but is expanding across the board.

Tesla's charging points therefore have a particularly broad coverage when it comes to countries in Western Europe. But other countries are also gradually getting Tesla fast charging stations. This of course increases convertibility enormously, despite the lack of 800 volt technology not only for Tesla vehicles, but also for electric cars from other brands.

Because, as already explained in more detail in the article above, electric cars from other brands can also charge at the Supercharger. This is not only good for Tesla, but also drives the switch to electric mobility in general.

The cost per kilowatt hour varies depending on the country, region and time of day. The price is currently between €0.38 and €0.43 per kilowatt hour, depending on the region and time of day. This means that Tesla is currently below the average price offered by the competition for such fast charging stations in Germany. The tariffs and thus also the price are of course constantly changing.

For non-Tesla electric cars that charge at Superchargers, the price increases by €0.03 per kWh.

Tesla charges a so-called blocking fee of €1 per minute for every additional minute the car remains connected to the power supply after the charging process has finished.

However, this is only charged if the Supercharger station is over 50% full and you stay there for more than 5 minutes. If the station is 100% full, the fees double. So depending on the location you are in, this may not even be a problem that you need to pay attention to.

The functionality of a Tesla Supercharger is based on direct current (DC) charging. Unlike conventional household sockets that supply alternating current (AC), Superchargers generate direct current, which significantly speeds up the charging process.

Most superchargers offer charging capacities of 120 to 250 kilowatts (kW), which of course significantly shortens the charging time.

For several years now, Tesla vehicles have been equipped with a Type 2 connector (CCS) as standard, which is widely used in Europe and can be used at most public charging stations. This is always located at the rear left near the tail light, protected by a flap.

The CCS (Combined Charging System) plug is the standard in Europe for fast charging of electric vehicles. This plug type combines the advantages of Type 2 (AC charging) and Type 1 (DC charging) in one, making it an extremely versatile charging solution.

With a CCS plug, vehicles can be charged at both AC and DC charging stations, which significantly improves flexibility and range options.

In this picture you can see a CCS plug that supplies the car with electricity/energy.

The CCS connector of a Tesla Supercharger has two ports: the upper one for AC charging and the lower one for DC charging. This means that vehicles equipped with a CCS connector can be charged from conventional household sockets or wall boxes, but can also use fast charging at CCS fast charging stations.

During charging, direct current from the Supercharger is fed into the vehicle's battery. Tesla vehicles are equipped with advanced battery technology that enables fast charging without overloading the battery. During charging, the vehicle monitors the battery temperature and adjusts the charging power accordingly to protect the battery.

As a Tesla driver, you benefit from plug and charge at the Tesla Supercharger. This means that you can park at a Supercharger and just plug in the cable, without having to start the charging process via an app or enter credit card information.

Communication between the vehicle and the station takes place via a data protocol that ensures that the charging process is safe and efficient.

You can then see the current charging progress on the display inside your Tesla. It shows how full the battery is and the speed at which the supercharger is currently charging. This varies depending on how full the battery is at the moment. The fastest charging is between 20% and 80% - after that it is slower.

If you own a non-Tesla electric car, you can view the charging progress and all other important information in the Tesla app and, starting with the Supercharger V4, on the display at the fast charging station. The V4 chargers are now gradually being opened in Germany.

When you use the Tesla app for the first time, you enter payment information such as a credit card or PayPal. As soon as you plug the cable into a Supercharger, the charging station exchanges data with the Tesla and thus knows which account the costs should be debited from.

As a driver, you no longer have to provide any information or find out about the price, but can conveniently use the plug and charge.

You can adjust and change your payment information in the Tesla app at any time.

Tesla is offering an area at more and more locations in Germany that is in close proximity to Tesla charging stations and offers some amenities. These are often "living containers" or small houses where you can work while charging and supply your electrical devices with power.

Because the fast charging stations are so close to highways, there is often no way to buy food. However, Tesla's houses often have food or drink vending machines and toilets. The houses are also equipped with tables, chairs and sofas so you can make yourself comfortable or concentrate on your work.

You can only get into the buildings while charging your Tesla or an electric car from another brand at the fast charging stations. Entry is via a PIN that is displayed in your Tesla or electric car and which you then enter at the building.

Last summer, Tesla set up a small pool at some charging stations where you can cool off while charging your Tesla model. You could show in the app that you were charging and then cool off for up to 10 minutes wearing your own swimwear.

Such and other surprises always await you when you travel long distances with a Tesla model and get to know many different locations and charging stations.

The charging park in Hilden with its 40 Tesla charging stations is one of the most popular locations in Germany.

Of course, Tesla's Superchargers are not the only way to charge your electric car in Germany. The number of providers is increasing, and with them the number of charging points. In addition to Tesla, well-known providers include ENBW, Pfalzwerke, E.ON drive, EWE go, Aral pulse and Ionity.

As a Tesla user, you of course also have the option of charging your car at these charging stations. There you can then benefit from the individual offers and tariffs that you sign up to, which are sometimes better or worse.

As a rule, you need an RFID card or a smartphone app to use the charging station, and not just as a Tesla user. If you don't want to create an account, you will have to pay a higher price per kilowatt hour at E.ON, for example.

Some also offer a subscription model with a fixed monthly amount. This lowers the price per kilowatt hour. However, you then have to create such subscriptions or accounts for each provider individually, which makes the whole thing more confusing and complicated, especially if you want to compare price and performance.

For some time now, Tesla has begun to open its Tesla Superchargers to third-party brands. This means that any electric car can charge at the chargers. The V4 chargers are perfectly designed with the card reader and the display on which you can then read the charging status.

At V2 or V3 Tesla Superchargers, you can also charge electric cars from other brands using the Tesla app. You then have to enter card information in the app and enter the number of the charging station to start the process.

Tesla has built an impressive network of fast-charging stations called "Superchargers" since the launch of the Model S in 2012. With over 50,000 Superchargers worldwide, Tesla drivers can quickly charge their electric vehicles, making long-distance travel possible.

The way a Tesla Supercharger works is based on direct current charging, which speeds up the charging process. Most Superchargers offer 120 to 250 kW of charging power. Tesla vehicles have a Type 2 connector (CCS) and support the Plug and Charge system, which makes gaining range easy and convenient.

Tesla charging stations also offer vending machines, toilets and an area where you can work in peace at many charging points and locations in Germany.

Overall, Tesla Supercharger stations are a great project by Tesla to make driving electric cars more attractive, especially on long distances, and to simplify the switch from combustion engines to electric cars and electromobility.

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