Tesla is launching new Supercharger V3 this week, says Elon Musk

Tesla is launching its long-awaited Supercharger V3, a new and more powerful version of Tesla’s fast-charging station, later this week, according to a new statement by CEO Elon Musk

Musk first teased a new ‘Tesla Supercharger V3’ in a tweet to me back in December 2016.

At the time, he hinted at a charge rate of over 350 kW power output and off-grid compatibility with solar and Powerpack systems.

While Tesla has since added solar arrays and Powerpacks to a few stations, the automaker hasn’t updated the charge rate (145 kW capacity capped at 120 kW in vehicles) of its charging stations for about 5 years.

As highlighted during Tesla’ Q1 2018 earnings call, the company appears to have changed its plan for an ultra-fast charger with an output of over 350 kW – citing some drawbacks when it comes to energy density and cost of batteries.

Instead, Musk said that 200 to 250 kW, which is about twice as powerful as Tesla’s current Superchargers, would make more sense.

Supercharger V3 was supposed to come in 2018, but it was delayed to “early 2019”.

Today, Musk said that the first station is coming online Wednesday:

First public Tesla V3.0 Supercharger Station goes live Wed 8pm

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2019

As of the time of writing, the CEO hasn’t answered questions about the charge of the Supercharger V3, the compatibility with Tesla’s vehicle lineup or where the first station is located.

The Supercharger V3’s charge rate is only one factor since the vehicles also need to be able to handle a higher charge rate.

Therefore, the introduction of Tesla’s Supercharger V3 has been rumored to be linked with an upgrade of Tesla’s battery packs to be able to receive a higher charge rate.

Coincidently (or not), Musk also announced that Tesla is going to launch Model Y a week after the first Supercharger V3 station is coming online on Wednesday.

Electrek’s Take

While I am excited about Supercharger V3, I’m even more excited about the implications of improved battery packs throughout Tesla’s lineup.

If Tesla is releasing a new Supercharger with a higher charge rate, they need some cars able to take that new charge rate.

I think existing Model 3 vehicles are going to be able to go a little higher, but what Model S and Model X? Is an upgrade coming? Is it already in vehicles? If so, since when?

So many questions. Sounds like we are going to have the answers later this week.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.