First Tesla connector added to a public fast-charging station with CCS/CHAdeMO

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure can be complicated for new EV owners due to the many different charging standards and connectors.

But as the technology matures, the space is becoming easier to navigate.

Most third-party networks are adopting the CCS standard and combining it with CHAdeMO at their stations (for now), but a company is now going a step further and is even adding Tesla’s connector for DC fast-charging.

Update: After publication, Tesla sent us a statement disaproving of the project. See statement in full below. 

In the US, Tesla uses its own custom connector for the Supercharger network and level 2 charging, but the automaker adopted the Type 2 standard in Europe, where the standard is mainly used for level 2 charging.

Tesla uses it for its Supercharger stations in order to have only one plug on its vehicles.

In China, Tesla introduced a dual connector charge port, but the company otherwise seems to prefer having only one connector.

The fact that Tesla has its own fast-charging network and doesn’t rely on third-party network facilitated this strategy, but they still offer charging adapters for owners to access public stations.

But a third-party charging network aims to make it even easier and attract a few Tesla owners in the process.

We previously reported on GOFAST, a 150 kW fast-charging network coming online in Switzerland. The network is being marketed as ‘Supercharger for all’ due to its capacity aiming to be competitive with Tesla’s Superchargers and its multi-standard support.

At their latest stations in Gunzgen, Switzerland, the company installed their first Tesla Type 2 connector with the automaker’s trademark handle:

A Tesla Model S owner going by the name Starlight Tesla on Youtube tested the station last week:

It makes it one of the most well equipped charging stations in terms of multi-standard support:

• 1 x Tesla type 2 DC up to 50kW (DC)
• 1 x CHAdeMO up to 70kW (DC)
• 2 x CCS up to 100kW (DC)
• 1 x type 2 with cable up to 43kW (AC)
• 1 x type 2 can up to 22kW (AC)

It costs CHF 0,20 (almost to parity with USD at the moment) per minute under the Swisscharge payment system.

Update: Tesla sent us the following statement about the project:

“Despite repeated discussion and warnings, EVTEC continues to use a damaged and dismantled Tesla DC adapter for a charging service they promote. The misuse of our logo and reference to Supercharging is misleading the public and implies Tesla supports these chargers. In fact, Tesla had no involvement in the development of this charging system and has not tested or authorized its safety for use with Tesla vehicles.”

Electrek’s Take

It’s a really cool station and an awesome effort by the company, but I can’t help but think that the Tesla connector will not see much use.

As shown by Starlight Tesla, the charge rate is less than half of what you can get from a Tesla Supercharger and there are two Supercharger stations close to the GOFAST station.

But if a Tesla driver absolutely needs to use the station, they won’t have to use a CHAdeMO adapter and they can instead directly use the Type 2 connector.

With this said, if the network keeps growing and they keep adding stations, especially where Tesla Supercharger coverage is not optimal, it could become useful.