Author: Beth Twigg | Reading Time: 3 minutes | Published 20/05/2022

Author: Beth Twigg
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Published 20/05/2022

Can your electric car now use a Tesla Supercharger?

After announcing its intention to open the Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs toward the end of last year, Tesla have just confirmed that a trial run of 15 locations has been opened to all electric vehicles with a CCS connector.

The combined charging system (CCS) is a system used by manufacturers around the world, including BMW, Daimler, Ford, and the VW Group. 

It's one of the most popular connectors on the market, with a majority of new EVs now coming with CCS. This means that most electric cars already on UK roads will benefit from the reliability and ease of use the Supercharger network has long been famed for.

If you have an older car, like a pre-2019 Kia Soul EV, it's worth checking that it has CCS - some models only received the connector on newer updates. 

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3

Can I use a Tesla Supercharger to charge my electric car?

The short answer: yes, as long as your EV has CCS. 

The long answer: the different types of chargers can get confusing, so we've pulled together an A-Z list of electric cars with CCS so all you have to do is look and see if your car is on there.

Note: cars like the older Nissan LEAF with CHAdeMO won't be able to use the Supercharger network

*This list is not exhaustive and will be updated as and when new electric cars are available

Polestar 2

Polestar 2

How do I use the Tesla Supercharger network?

Like with any other charging point, you pull up, plug in, and pay. 

The Tesla app will let you know where the nearest Supercharger station is but bear in mind that there are only 15 stations taking part in the trial that are open to non-Tesla EVs (around 20% of the total network).

The locations in the pilot include Folkestone, Grays, Uxbridge, Birmingham, Cardiff, Wokingham, Thetford, Trumpington, Banbury, Manchester, Flint, Aviemore, Adderstone, Dundee, and Aberystwyth. 

The UK pilot is part of a larger trial taking place in countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, and if it's a success it's likely the rest of the Supercharger network will be opened to non-Tesla electric cars.

The Tesla app also lets you pay a monthly subscription fee of £10.99 to access the lower kWh prices, but you can still charge your car without it. It works out more expensive, at around £0.60 per kWh, but Tesla have also warned that pricing for non-Tesla EVs will also reflect the additional costs incurred as the company adjusts their existing stations to support a broader range of vehicles. 

Honda e

Honda e

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. It's been one of the reasons why a Tesla lease has proved so popular with so many.

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.

Get behind the wheel of your own Tesla in less than a month.

Beth Twigg

Beth Twigg

Beth is our Content and Paid Media Specialist, tasked with creating great articles to keep you both entertained and informed. She has two years previous experience, but has been writing and scribbling for much longer.