- Tesla is making several improvements to the Supercharger DC fast charger network
- All the changes are meant to make it easier for non-Tesla EVs to charge at Superchargers.
The Tesla Supercharger network is getting some improvements to cater to the growing number of non-Tesla EVs that can top up their batteries at the NACS-equipped DC fast chargers.
As a quick reminder, the Supercharger network was originally designed exclusively for Tesla EVs. All Tesla EVs have their charging port on the rear-left side of the vehicle, so the charging cables are just the right length to reach the plug. Some non-Tesla EVs, however, have the inlet on the rear-right or front-left, which is a problem because their owners are forced to take up two charging spots by parking next to the stall they’re actually using.
This frowned-upon but necessary move is a growing problem as more non-Tesla EVs are getting access to the Supercharger network, either because they’re getting Tesla’s NACS charging connector from the factory or through a charging adapter. However, it might soon be a thing of the past.
In short, Tesla is ramping up the installation of its V4 Supercharger stalls which have longer cables–long enough to cater to all port locations. In an X post, the company said there will be more Superchargers with long cables than stalls with short cables.
Max de Zegher, Tesla's head of North American Charging, added that the Supercharger algorithm now updates the availability status for nearby chargers every 15 seconds.
Furthermore, the AI and robotics company which just happens to be the maker of the most successful EVs on the market, has improved its stall availability algorithm to stop “overpromising” the number of open stalls. Tesla said it now knows when an EV with a charging port located somewhere other than the rear-left has plugged into a Supercharger. As a result, the algorithm will automatically slash the number of available stalls shown on the map because the driver of that EV has probably blocked two spots.
Another change has to do with the charging sites themselves. Tesla said it has modified over 1,500 locations so that drivers never have to use more than two charging spaces to top up their batteries. Together, all these improvements will make life a lot easier for both Tesla and non-Tesla EV drivers.
