Tesla’s Supercharger network has become an important part of electric-car charging in the UK, with selected locations now available to compatible non-Tesla EVs as well as Tesla vehicles.
V4 Superchargers are the latest generation of Tesla’s charging posts. Their design includes a longer charging cable to make it easier to reach charging ports in different positions, while V4 sites can also provide additional ways to start and pay for a charging session.
For UK drivers, that makes V4 particularly interesting because Tesla’s charging network is becoming relevant to a much wider range of electric cars — not just Teslas.
Here’s how Tesla V4 Superchargers work, who can use them and what UK EV drivers need to know about charging, compatibility and costs.
For more advice on electric-car ownership, running costs and looking after your vehicle, visit our Car Maintenance Guidance hub.
What Is a Tesla V4 Supercharger?
V4 is the latest generation of Tesla’s Supercharger charging-post design.
One of the most noticeable changes is the longer charging cable. Earlier Supercharger layouts were designed primarily around the position of the charging port on Tesla vehicles. The longer V4 cable makes it easier to reach charging ports positioned differently on other electric cars.
V4 also expands the ways a charging session can be started. Tesla says non-Tesla drivers can use the Tesla app where appropriate, while a charging session at a V4 Supercharger can also be initiated directly from the charging post.
Rather than assuming every V4 charger delivers one particular charging speed, drivers should check the individual site. Tesla states that the maximum power available is shown in the information for each Supercharger location.
Where Can You Use Tesla Superchargers in the UK?
Tesla operates Supercharger locations across the UK, including sites close to major roads and at destinations where drivers can stop while their vehicle charges.
If you drive a Tesla, nearby Superchargers and their availability can be found through the car’s navigation system and the Tesla app.
Drivers of other electric cars can use the Tesla app or Tesla’s online map to identify locations that are currently open to non-Tesla vehicles.
Not every Supercharger location is necessarily available to every EV, so non-Tesla drivers should check the individual site and vehicle compatibility before travelling specifically to use it.
Can Non-Tesla Cars Use Tesla Superchargers?
Yes, at participating locations. Tesla has opened selected Supercharger sites to compatible electric vehicles made by other manufacturers.
For non-Tesla drivers, the important things to check are:
- whether the particular Supercharger site is open to other EVs;
- whether your vehicle is compatible with the charger;
- whether the cable can comfortably reach your car’s charging port; and
- the payment options available at that location.
Tesla says it is continuing to monitor and expand access, so availability can change over time.
How Do Non-Tesla Drivers Use a Tesla Supercharger?
At participating sites, non-Tesla drivers can normally start a charging session using the Tesla app after adding a suitable payment method.
Using the app generally involves finding the charging location, plugging the vehicle in, selecting the correct charging post and starting the session.
V4 provides another option. Tesla says a charging session can also be initiated directly from a V4 Supercharger post. Direct card or mobile-payment facilities are available at selected locations, so the exact options should be checked for the site you intend to use.
This is a useful development for public charging because it reduces the reliance on one particular vehicle design or charging process.
How Much Does It Cost to Use a Tesla Supercharger?
There isn’t one fixed UK price for using a Tesla Supercharger.
Charging prices can vary between locations and, at some sites, according to the time of day. Tesla displays current pricing through its charging information, so drivers should check the rate that applies before starting a session.
Non-Tesla drivers may also see different pricing from Tesla drivers. Tesla offers a Supercharging Membership that can give other EV owners lower charging prices at participating locations.
Membership isn’t required simply to use Superchargers that are open to other EVs, so occasional users can still charge without taking out a subscription.
Public rapid charging can also produce very different running costs from charging an EV at home. Our guide to whether electric cars are cheaper to run than petrol cars explains why where you charge can make such a difference.
Do You Need a Tesla Account or Special Charging Card?
Not necessarily.
The Tesla app remains one way for non-Tesla drivers to find participating chargers, add a payment method and manage a charging session.
However, Tesla says V4 charging sessions can also be initiated directly from the Supercharger post, and payment terminals are available at selected sites.
Tesla also supports some third-party mobility service provider charging cards, although availability and requirements can depend on the provider.
The simplest approach is therefore to check the payment methods shown for the individual Supercharger location before travelling.
Is Tesla Supercharging Free?
Drivers should normally expect to pay to use the Supercharger network.
Some Tesla vehicles or customers may have Supercharging credits or other vehicle-specific benefits, but these shouldn’t be assumed to apply generally. Tesla advises owners to check their account or vehicle details to see whether any free Supercharging or charging credits are available.
For most drivers comparing public charging options, the current price shown for the individual Supercharger site is the figure that matters.
What Are the Main Benefits of V4 Superchargers?
For UK EV drivers, the significance of V4 isn’t simply that it is a newer-looking charger. Its design helps make Tesla’s charging infrastructure easier to use across a broader range of electric vehicles.
The main advantages include:
- Longer charging cables that can better accommodate different charging-port positions.
- Greater usability for non-Tesla EVs at participating Supercharger locations.
- More ways to start a charging session, including directly from a V4 post.
- Access to Tesla’s established charging network for a growing number of EV drivers.
For drivers travelling longer distances, having another rapid-charging network available can make route planning and charging considerably easier.
Tesla V4 Superchargers and the Future of UK EV Charging
V4 shows how Tesla’s Supercharger network is evolving from infrastructure built primarily around Tesla vehicles into a charging option that can also serve compatible electric cars from other manufacturers.
That doesn’t mean every Tesla Supercharger is available to every EV, and drivers should still check the individual location, compatibility, current pricing and payment options before relying on a particular charger.
But longer V4 cables and wider non-Tesla access remove some of the practical barriers that previously made the Supercharger network less useful to drivers of other electric cars.
Charging infrastructure is only one part of how electric cars are developing. Battery technology is changing too, influencing areas such as charging performance, range and the way future EVs may be designed. You can explore another part of that development in our guide to Tesla’s 4680 battery technology.
And if you’re considering changing your current vehicle, you can value your car with Jamjar and see what it could be worth.