Tesla is once again making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This time, it’s not about a new car model, but a significant upgrade to their Supercharger network. The company recently showcased a V4 Supercharger equipped with a contactless bank card reader and a space for a small display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. This new feature is expected to revolutionize the EV charging experience, making it more accessible and convenient for all EV drivers.
Tesla’s Superchargers have always been exclusive to Tesla vehicles. The authentication, payment, and information display systems were all integrated into the vehicle or the Tesla app. However, as Tesla plans to open its charging network to non-Tesla EVs, the company is introducing new features to its Superchargers.
The new V4 Supercharger comes with longer cables, a bank card reader, a display, and built-in CCS1 adapters, also known as Magic Dock, in North America. These features are designed to make the charging process more user-friendly and accessible to all EV drivers.
“The introduction of bank card readers and displays to Superchargers is a significant step towards making EV charging as convenient as refueling at a traditional gas station.” – Tesla Owners UK
In the UK, there is a general plan to add bank card readers to all chargers. This move aims to allow any EV driver to pay for charging without the need to join a specific charging network or carry a dedicated RFID card. This is a significant step towards making EV charging as convenient as refueling at a traditional gas station.
The first two known V4 Superchargers, located in the Netherlands and France, do not yet feature displays or bank card readers. However, Tesla has been using CCS2-compatible charging plugs/inlets on its new chargers and cars in Europe for some time now. This eliminates the need for a Magic Dock to enable other EVs to charge, except for CHAdeMO-compatible EVs and older Model S/Model X vehicles.
Currently, non-Tesla EV drivers can use Superchargers as part of the non-Tesla EV Supercharging Pilot via the Tesla app. In the future, it might be possible to use Superchargers without a phone, simply by using a bank card.
In related news, Nissan recently became the first Japanese automaker to adopt Tesla’s electric-vehicle charging technology in the U.S. and Canada. This move is expected to boost EV adoption by expanding the fast-charger network.
Meanwhile, Tesla plans to double the size of its German factory, aiming to produce a million cars a year. This step would make it Europe’s largest car factory, further solidifying Tesla’s position in the global EV market.
Tesla’s new V4 Supercharger with a bank card reader is a game-changer for the EV industry. It not only enhances the charging experience for Tesla drivers but also paves the way for non-Tesla EVs to utilize the Supercharger network. As Tesla continues to innovate and push the boundaries of EV technology, the future of electric mobility looks brighter than ever.
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