What are the benefits of the Tesla Supercharger network?
As one of the only manufacturers who have invested as heavily into the charging infrastructure as they have their cars, the Tesla Supercharger network has long been heralded the cream of the crop when it comes to being able to charge your electric car on the go.
Situated at existing service stations, Tesla have placed their Superchargers at intervals that allow drivers to cover most long-distance trips up and down the country without having to worry about where to stop and recharge.
Tesla opening some of the Supercharger network is a landmark moment for the EV movement - it'll provide much needed access to quick and reliable chargers for many drivers looking to do longer trips.
V2 chargers are capable of delivering up to 150kW of electricity, while the newer V3 chargers can deliver up to an incredible 250kW of charge per hour - both more powerful than any other rapid charger on the market. But how long it actually takes you to charge your car will depend on its battery size and max DC rate.
For example, a Honda e with a 35kWh battery and a max DC rate of 56kW will only be able to pull that much electricity per hour from the Supercharger, and so will take around 30 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%. On the other hand, a Polestar 2 with a 78kWh battery and a max DC rate of 150kW will charge from 20-80% in just 20 minutes on a 150kW charger.
Is it cheaper than at-home charging?
No - public charging, whether with a Tesla Supercharger or any of the multitude of other public chargers, both rapid and slow, commands a premium price for the convenience. They're perfect if you're out and about and find yourself running low on electric juice, but for the most affordable everyday charging, you'll want to get an at-home charger installed.
If you're on the market for an electric charger, we've partnered with British Gas so you can get £30 off the cost of their Hive charger. Simply pay upfront or across 10 monthly instalments, and you'll be well on your way to hassle-free at-home charging.