Tesla Unlocks 320KW Supercharging 👀
TLDRTesla has unlocked unprecedented 320kW charging speeds for the Cybertruck, surpassing the 250kW limit due to infrastructure constraints. Despite the lack of V4 cabinets, Tesla's V3.5 superchargers with upgraded dispensers allow for higher amperage, enabling faster charging. This raises questions about the future of the Model S and X, suggesting potential upgrades to battery management and cooling systems to take advantage of these new charging capabilities, enhancing their appeal in the competitive EV market.
Takeaways
- 🚀 Tesla has begun unlocking faster charging speeds for the Cybertruck, exceeding the previously mentioned 250 kW limit.
- 🔌 The charging infrastructure at Electrify America stations has allowed some Cybertrucks to achieve up to 330 kW charging speeds.
- 🛠️ DC fast charging stations consist of two parts: the dispenser (customer interaction and cable management) and the cabinet (power supply).
- 🔄 Tesla has been deploying V4 dispensers but not V4 cabinets, which is why the charging speed is capped at 250 kW despite the appearance of V4 superchargers.
- 🔋 An experiment at select V4 stations, referred to as V3.5, involves higher amperage to achieve faster charging speeds, even with V3 cabinets.
- 🔌 The Cybertruck managed to charge at 320 kW, the fastest ever at a Tesla supercharger, by utilizing the increased amperage from the V4 dispensers.
- 🔧 The efficiency of charging is higher with increased voltage, which is why V4 superchargers are desired for less energy loss and heat.
- 💡 There is speculation that Tesla may be delaying V4 cabinet deployment due to cost, opting for the cheaper V3 cabinets despite the inefficiencies.
- 🚗 The potential exists for Tesla to upgrade the Model S and X to take advantage of the new V3.5 superchargers for faster charging.
- 🏎️ The Model 3 Long Range is currently the most efficient Tesla vehicle in terms of miles added per minute of charging.
- 🤔 The discussion raises questions about the future of the Model S and X, and whether Tesla should consider faster charging as a way to improve their market position.
Q & A
What was the initial expectation for the CyberTruck's charging speed?
-Tesla initially said that the CyberTruck would support more than 250 kW charging speed, but due to the limitations of the current charging infrastructure, it had not been able to achieve that.
Why could CyberTruck owners potentially charge at up to 330 kW at Electrify America stations?
-A few people discovered that by taking their CyberTruck to Electrify America stations, they could potentially charge at up to 330 kW if the station was operating at its peak efficiency.
What are the two main parts of a DC fast charging station?
-The two main parts of a DC fast charging station are the dispenser and the cabinet. The dispenser is the part that customers interact with, and it's responsible for keeping the cable cool and ensuring power is delivered at the proper speed. The cabinet's job is to supply enough power for all of the dispensers.
Why are the current V4 Superchargers still only able to output 250 kilowatts?
-The current V4 Superchargers are still only able to output 250 kilowatts because they have the upgraded V4 dispensers, but they are still using the old V3 cabinets, which limit the power output.
What does the term 'V3.5' refer to in the context of Tesla's Superchargers?
-The term 'V3.5' refers to an experimental setup where Tesla is using the upgraded V4 dispensers with the V3 cabinets. This allows for higher amperage and thus higher charging speeds, even though the voltage remains the same as in V3 cabinets.
What is the significance of the CyberTruck achieving 320 kW charging speed at a V3.5 Supercharger?
-The CyberTruck achieving 320 kW charging speed at a V3.5 Supercharger is significant because it's the fastest anyone has ever charged at a Supercharger before, indicating a new level of charging capability.
How does increasing amperage at a lower voltage contribute to higher charging speeds?
-Increasing amperage at a lower voltage can contribute to higher charging speeds by delivering more power to the vehicle. Since the kilowatt rating is calculated as voltage times amperage, increasing amperage can compensate for a lower voltage to achieve a higher overall charging speed.
Why is high voltage charging more efficient than high amperage at the same power level?
-High voltage charging is more efficient because it allows for less amperage, which means there's less energy loss, less heat loss, and less need for active cooling during the charging process.
What could be a potential strategy for Tesla to improve the Model S and X in the face of increasing competition?
-One potential strategy for Tesla to improve the Model S and X could be to upgrade the battery management system and active cooling to take advantage of the higher amperage V4 dispensers, allowing for faster charging speeds.
How does the efficiency of a vehicle affect the actual mileage gained per minute of charging?
-The efficiency of a vehicle affects the actual mileage gained per minute of charging because a more efficient vehicle can translate the same amount of power into more miles. For example, the Model 3 Long Range is more efficient than the CyberTruck, translating the same charging speed into more miles per hour.
What are some factors Tesla might consider when deciding the future of the Model S and X?
-Tesla might consider factors such as the cost of upgrading to a higher voltage architecture, the potential for faster charging with the current V3.5 setup, and the overall market demand and competition in the premium EV segment when deciding the future of the Model S and X.
Outlines
🔌 Tesla Cybertruck's Unexpected Fast Charging
The video discusses the surprising discovery that Tesla's Cybertruck can charge at speeds up to 330 kW, exceeding the previously stated limit of 250 kW, by using Electrify America stations. It explains the components of DC fast charging stations, distinguishing between the dispenser and cabinet, and how Tesla's current V4 dispensers are not yet supported by V4 cabinets, limiting charging to 250 kW. The video also covers an experiment where Tesla is pushing more amperage into the Cybertruck to achieve higher charging speeds, despite still using V3 cabinets. This raises questions about the efficiency of charging and the potential for future upgrades to Tesla's charging infrastructure.
🚗 Speculations on Tesla's Charging Strategy and Model S/X Future
This paragraph delves into the implications of Tesla's charging experiments, suggesting that the company might prioritize cost-effectiveness over efficiency in its charging infrastructure rollout. It raises the possibility of Tesla using the V3.5 setup to fast charge Cybertrucks at over 300 kW, despite the higher energy loss. The video then speculates on Tesla's strategy for the Model S and X, considering the competitive EV market and the need for improvements to justify their higher price points. It suggests that Tesla might upgrade these models to take advantage of the new V4 dispensers for faster charging, potentially reviving their appeal in the face of competition from Rivian R1Ts and Lucid's upcoming Gravity model.
🎉 Viewer Engagement and Channel Support Acknowledgement
The final paragraph is a call to action for viewers to share their thoughts in the comments and an expression of gratitude for the support of the channel's sponsors and viewership. It emphasizes the importance of viewer engagement and the role of sponsorship in helping the channel continue to produce content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Supercharging
💡Cybertruck
💡Electrify America
💡Dispenser and Cabinet
💡V4 Dispenser
💡V3 Cabinet
💡Amps
💡Efficiency
💡Model S and X
💡Model 3
💡Mileage
Highlights
Tesla has unlocked faster charging speeds for the Cybertruck, exceeding initial expectations of 250kW.
Cybertruck owners can achieve up to 330kW charging at Electrify America stations.
DC fast charging stations consist of two parts: the dispenser and the cabinet, each with distinct functions.
The dispenser's role is to keep the cable cool and ensure power delivery at the proper speed.
Tesla's V4 superchargers have been rolled out with upgraded dispensers but still use V3 cabinets.
Non-Tesla EVs are limited to 50-90kW charging even at V4 stations due to the V3 cabinets.
A Cybertruck achieved a record 320kW charging at a V4 supercharger, indicating a new experiment by Tesla.
The experiment involves pushing more amps into the vehicle, even at lower voltage, to achieve higher charging speeds.
Tesla's lead engineer confirmed the experiment with an intermediate V3.5 setup, not a true V4 supercharger.
The efficiency of charging is higher with increased voltage and reduced amps, suggesting the need for V4 cabinets.
Tesla may be opting for the cheaper V3 cabinets to keep infrastructure costs low.
The potential for fast charging at over 300kW could make Cybertruck more appealing in the competitive EV market.
Model S and X may benefit from upgrades to take advantage of the new V3.5 superchargers for faster charging.
The Model 3's efficiency at 250kW translates to more miles per hour of charging than the Cybertruck at 320kW.
Tesla faces decisions on the future of Model S and X in the face of increasing competition and changing market demands.
The discussion on whether to upgrade or replace Model S and X with newer technology like the Roadsters is ongoing.
