Tesla once again leads the race in EV charging. The company has activated the first ultrafast Supercharger V4 stations with up to 500 kW, beginning in Redwood City, California.
Ultrafast charging begins in California
Tesla has unveiled the new generation of Supercharger V4 stations, delivering up to 500 kW of power. The goal is clear: shorten charging stops and make electric road trips more practical, enjoyable, and less stressful. The rollout started this week in Redwood City, California.
A more competitive global network
Tesla’s Supercharger network is already the largest and most reliable in the world. Until now, most stations offered charging up to 250 kW, but the arrival of new BEVs with 800-volt architectures, such as the Tesla Cybertruck, Lucid Gravity, and the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 9, required a technological leap.
Competitors are also moving in the same direction. Electrify America, Ionity, and ChargePoint are already deploying chargers between 350 and 400 kW, pushing the U.S. market toward an increasingly high standard.
Available to many, but not all
The new Tesla Supercharger V4 supports vehicles with electrical systems ranging from 400 to 1,000 volts. This means that non-Tesla models such as the Chevy Equinox EV and Lucid Gravity could theoretically benefit from the higher power. For now, however, access is reserved for Tesla customers only. The company plans to open the network to other automakers by the fourth quarter, following engineering checks. This reflects the gradual approach already seen in Europe with third-party access.
More power, but only for Cybertruck
Tesla Cybertruck owners in the U.S. can expect charging times to drop by about 30 percent thanks to the new standard. For Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y, nothing changes: all remain capped at 250 kW due to their 400-volt architecture.
Future prospects for ultrafast charging
The arrival of the Supercharger V4 reinforces the industry’s race toward ultrafast charging infrastructure, a crucial factor for mass EV adoption. With its extensive network, Tesla is positioned to maintain leadership in this new phase. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) confirm that the availability of fast charging remains one of the key elements in accelerating the transition to electric mobility.
