Overview of the Tesla Supercharger Network
The Tesla Supercharger network is the world's largest and most reliable DC fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, designed to enable long-distance travel with high-speed charging. Launched as a proprietary system exclusively for Tesla owners, it has evolved into a partially open network supporting non-Tesla EVs through the adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS, now standardized as SAE J3400).
As of November 2025, Tesla has officially surpassed 75,000 individual Supercharger stalls** (charging connectors) worldwide, with expansion accelerating rapidly — including a record ~4,000 new stalls added in Q3 2025 alone.
Brief History
2012 Tesla unveiled the Supercharger network on September 24, 2012, with the first six stations in California, coinciding with Model S production. Initial stations offered up to 120–150 kW charging, making cross-country EV travel practical for the first time.
-2010s Growth: Expanded rapidly across North America, Europe, and Asia. Early stations were often free for life on certain models, later shifting to pay-per-use billing.
2020s: In 2023–2024, Tesla began opening select stations to non-Tesla EVs (initially via "Magic Dock" CCS adapters). The 2022–2023 announcement of NACS as an open standard triggered near-universal adoption by major automakers (Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, Stellantis, VW Group, etc.), with most transitioning to native NACS ports starting in 2025 models. By 2025, the network is increasingly interoperable, with Stellantis (e.g., Jeep, Dodge) and others gaining access in North America, Japan, and South Korea from 2026 onward.
Equipment Evolution
Tesla Superchargers have progressed through four main generations, focusing on higher power, efficiency, and compatibility:
| Version | Launch Year | Peak Power (Typical) | Key Features & Improvements |
| **V1** | 2012 | 90–150 kW | Early stations; power shared between stalls (pair-sharing limited simultaneous high-speed charging). |
| **V2** | 2016 | Up to 150 kW (later software-upgraded to ~250 kW in some cases) | More sites; introduced urban variants (72 kW). Still power-shared. |
| **V3** | 2019 | 250 kW (no power sharing) | Liquid-cooled cables for thinner/lighter design; independent power per stall; dramatically reduced charging times. |
| **V4** | 2023–2025 rollout | Up to 325 kW currently; 500 kW capable for passenger vehicles (first full sites in 2025); up to 1.2 MW for Tesla Semi | Longer cables for non-Tesla vehicle compatibility; built-in payment terminals; higher power density (one cabinet supports up to 8 stalls, vs. 4 for V3); lower installation costs (<$40,000 per stall target); supports 1,000V architectures. First complete 500 kW station opened in Redwood City, CA (September 2025). |
V4 represents the biggest leap, enabling faster charging for 800V+ vehicles (e.g., Cybertruck at 325–500 kW) and easier access for diverse EV charge-port locations.
Current Statistics (as of November 20, 2025)
- >75,000 stalls** globally (milestone reached November 2025; up from ~70,000 in June 2025).
- ~7,800+ stations (locations).
- Average ~9.5–10 stalls per station.
- Record usage: ~587,000 daily charging sessions on average in Q3 2025.
- Reliability: Consistently rated highest (e.g., #1 large network in UK Zapmap survey for 2025).
- Openness: Thousands of stalls accessible to non-Tesla EVs with NACS ports or adapters; full industry transition underway.
The network continues aggressive expansion in 2025, driven by V4 deployments and rising demand from both Tesla and third-party EVs, solidifying its role as the de facto standard for fast charging.
NOTE: In the UK CCS is the Standard Connection protocol with CCS2 on all new Tesla Vehicles and V4 Stalls.
