Energy & Infrastructure >
Mar 7, 2019 - 12:27 pm
Tesla presents next-gen Supercharger V3 (video)
Charging StationsDCHPCModel 3Model SModel XSuperchargerTeslaUSA
Tesla has introduced the 3rd generation of its Supercharger. New power cabinets with 1 MW power and liquid-cooled cables enable peak rates of up to 250 kW for each charging electric vehicle at the new Supercharger locations, so no more splitting power.
Tesla refers to it as V3 Supercharging and the new set up indeed allows for each vehicle to get the full charge rate, meaning each Tesla will be able to rejoice on the 3rd generation Superchargers at the maximum speed that its battery allows, promises Tesla.
The use of the new Superchargers will initially only be possible for electric cars with the newer 2170 cells that only the Model 3 utilises so far. Using the example of the Model 3 with a long-range battery, Tesla explains that at peak times charging for five minutes will add another 120 kilometres of range. The EV maker reckons that therefore the duration of a typical charge stop at a Supercharger will be reduced to 15 minutes with the new technology.
It remains unclear at which speed the Model S and Model X will be able to charge on the new Superchargers V3 eventually. Presumably the older 18650 battery cells of the current generation of these models do not support the new charging performance. Tesla, unfortunately, remains rather vague in this regard.
Tesla will begin installing the new stations in the second and third quarters of this year, initially in North America, before construction will also start in Europe and Asia in the fourth quarter.
However, the manufacturer has two more innovations at the ready that affect all models. Firstly, in the coming weeks, a higher charging capacity will be released for the more than 12,000 Superchargers of the 2nd generation worldwide. Instead of 120 kW, 145 kW will then be possible. Also, Tesla is presenting a new feature that is intended to reduce charging times by up to 25 per cent. The 'On-Route Battery Warmup' that is coming up this week, works as follows: When Tesla drivers navigate to a Supercharger, the electric car "intelligently" begins preheating the battery to ensure that the optimum charging temperature is reached upon arrival at the Supercharger.
tesla.com
Reporting by Stefan Köller.
Author: Nora Manthey
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https://www.electrive.com/2019/03/07/tesla-presents-next-gen-supercharger-v3/