The goal of Tesla’s Supercharger network is to enable Tesla owners freedom of travel at a fraction of the cost of gasoline, which is even more exciting considering sky-high fuel prices, and to reduce the cost per kilometer
As this network continues to expand, and is even opening up to other brands, we are going to review some of the most interesting details of this new Tesla creation.
The world’s largest network of chargers
Tesla’s are, with more than 35,000 Superchargers , the largest global fast-charging network in the world. These will keep your car charged when you are away from home and need power to increase your range, simply plug in and go.
30k Superchargers around the world — and counting pic.twitter.com/Yw7m3cJ6HA
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) November 11, 2021
These chargers are always located on main routes and close to practical services, which is very useful and convenient, but also gives you greater peace of mind and confidence.
Elon Musk plans to triple the size of his Supercharger network in the next two years, potentially reaching 90,000 Superchargers worldwide by the end of 2023 .
Voltage and charging times
The Superchargers have 480 volts of direct current (DC) and their objective is to recharge batteries on long-distance trips for drivers of electric vehicles.
These allow charging a battery percentage in just 15 minutes that is sufficient for more than 275 kilometers of autonomy, according to official data for the brand’s vehicles.
Superchargers are multiple chargers that work in parallel to charge up to 120kW directly at the battery. As the battery fills, the vehicle’s software gradually reduces the current. This occurs to balance the voltage ultimately reducing charging to a minimum until the battery is nearly full.
Available in Spain
Although there is not as much presence as in other countries, you should know that the Tesla Supercharger network is already available in various parts of the national geography, with other stations planned to open soon.
Supercharger Network Spain
They are available in Madrid, Barcelona, Burgos, Granada, Lugo, Murcia, etc. If you want, you can visit their website to find out the exact location of all these national Supercharger stations.
Open to other brands
Until a few months ago, these Superchargers could only be used by owners of Tesla cars (Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y), but now any user can access them in two different ways.
On the one hand, if you have a station nearby and you are going to use it quite frequently, a monthly subscription is offered at a price of 12.99 euros that gives access to the cheapest recharge rate, the same as that offered to owners. of Tesla: 0.43 euros/kWh. If you do not want the subscription, the rate is 0.64 euros/kWh.
In the Spanish territory, 13 stations will be available that group 116 Superchargers that operate at more than 150 kW of power. The stations are Albacete, Alcobendas, Almaraz, Aranda de Duero, Atalaya del Cañavate, Barbastro, Benavente, El Ejido, Granada, Jerez, La Seu d’Urgell, Rivabellosa and Seville.
Supported load types
The key to the availability of Supercharger stations is the type of cable. To plug in, it has to be of the CCS Combo type . This shouldn’t be a deterrent as it is the most common among today’s emission-free models.
Most of the vehicles that reach the market already have this standard, but the first electric vehicles, mainly Asian, are left out , since they had CHAdeMO charging.
@elonmusk can you remove supercharger access for #audi drivers? They cannot read and their chargeport is located in a stupid spot. pic.twitter.com/2tfHht9Twp
– Professor Tournesol (@sjoerd87777991) November 2, 2021
However, the position of the charging socket also has an influence . These stations have been designed with Teslas in mind, just as there are other brands that also have the charging port on the left rear (Peugeot, Hyundai or Volvo), but there are others that have it on the other side of the rear. behind (Mercedes, Volkswagen, BMW or Renault) or in front of the hood (Audi, Jaguar, Porsche), which has given rise to complaints because some of these brands invade the space of several parking lots.
Free charge on some models
If you’re lucky enough to own any of the early Tesla Model S and Model X , then charging is free at any of the Tesla Supercharge stations.
On the other hand, for the rest of the models this service has a cost, although it is at the minimum possible price (the equivalent of the subscription price, although without needing it).
Parking Fee
Be it a Tesla or another brand, the Supercharger stations aim to be the fastest possible service and designed to recharge and go, without disturbing others.
Tesla Superchargers
That is why they contemplate an inactivity fee that penalizes cars that have already been recharged and continue to occupy the space. Cars that have already finished charging and remain in the same space are charged a fee of 0.50 euros per minute as a penalty if there are free superchargers at the station and the rate increases to 1 euro per minute if all are occupied.
It is not the only network of Tesla chargers
In addition to the Supercharger network, Tesla also has another network called “Charge at Destination” , which currently has more than 400 chargers located in hotels, restaurants, shopping centers or golf courses.
This Destination Charging network uses slow chargers of up to 22 kW of power and is designed to recharge the car during stays in said places, while the Tesla Superchargers is more to get back on the road as soon as possible.
