Can non-Tesla cars use Tesla Superchargers?

April 23, 2024 by John Rawlings

Since 2021, it has been possible for electric cars other than Teslas to use its network of ultra rapid Tesla Superchargers.

To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, Tesla invested in an impressive Supercharger network across the UK and Europe. Having such. widespread network helps to dismiss any fears about ‘range anxiety’ that can discourage some people from considering switching from petrol and diesel cars.

This article will tell you all you need to know about Tesla Superchargers – how to find them and how to use them if you drive an electric car that is not a Tesla.

*Some of the Tesla Supercharger network is now available to non-Tesla cars*

What is the Tesla Supercharger network?

The Tesla Supercharger network consists of over 50,000 charging stations worldwide. Approximately 1,000 of these are in the UK and a limited number of these (less than 10%) can be used by non-Tesla electric vehicles.

A Tesla Supercharger is an ultra-rapid charger. These charge at rates of between 150 kW to 250 kW using a CCS connector.

These Superchargers are designed to quickly boost a battery’s charge so a driver only has to stop for as short a time as possible to get enough of a top-up charge to ensure they can reach their destination. For example, Tesla claims that a 15 minute top-up charge from one of its 250 kW Supercharger can add up to a further 200 miles to the range of its Model 3, S, X or Y cars – enough for most to be able to finish their journey.

Tesla is monitoring Supercharger usage by other brands of EVs and customer feedback. If successful, with no impact on availability for Tesla drivers, more Tesla Superchargers will become available for other electric vehicles to use. Tesla’s objective is to encourage more drivers to go electric.

If you’re planning to travel to Europe, there are already a large number of Tesla Superchargers available to all brands.

Note that Tesla also has Destination chargers. These use a standard power output for slow charging over a longer period of time, so are often found at venues such as hotels. These use Type 2 connectors and are available for any brand of EV.

The map of Tesla charging stations shows good coverage across the UK and Europe.

*Tesla Superchargers are ultra-fast at rates of between 150 kW and 250 kW*

Can other electric cars use Tesla Superchargers?

Yes, other electric cars can use some Tesla Superchargers. Tesla says it is keen to encourage drivers to switch to electric cars, so since 2021, it has allowed other electric cars to use Tesla Superchargers.

However, at the moment, there are only a limited number of Tesla Superchargers available to non-Tesla EVs in the UK. This is because Tesla is monitoring whether this will have a negative impact on availability to Tesla drivers trying to find a place to charge. If it proves successful, Tesla will make more of its Superchargers available to other brands of EVs.

To use a Tesla Supercharger, your electric car needs to be CSS-enabled (Combined Charging System) for fast charging, which most pure EVs are – such as the Nissan Ariya, Skoda Enyaq, BYD Dolphin, Kia EV6, Hyundai Kona Electric and Volvo EX30.

*Other electric cars with CCS compatibility, like this Volvo EX30, can use some Tesla Superchargers*

The latest Tesla Superchargers deliver power at rates of between 150 kW to 250 kW.

Some EVs won’t be compatible to charge at a rate of 250 kW. Note that older (V2) Tesla Superchargers have a power rating of 150 kW.

If you would like to know more about charging electric cars, read Carwow’s guide to charging an electric car at home and on the road.

It may be useful to know that the Tesla charging network also has Destination chargers for slower charging (up to 22 kW) over a number of hours. These have Type 2 connectors so can be used by a wide range of non-Tesla electric cars such as the Vauxhall Corsa and MG4.

Destination chargers are often located at venues where you are more likely to be stopping for an extended period, such as hotels or restaurants.

How to find a Tesla Supercharger

In the UK and Ireland, Tesla operates over 1,400 Superchargers at 140 sites and 42 of these are open to all EVs with CCS charging, making a total of 477 chargers available to non-Tesla cars.

Across Europe, there’s currently more than 14,000 Superchargers distributed in over 1,100 locations available in 30 European countries. Over 70% of the network in Europe is currently open to non-Tesla vehicles, and more Superchargers will be added in the near future.

Although Tesla is keen to encourage more people to switch to electric vehicles, before it makes more of its Superchargers available to non-Tesla cars in the UK, it says it wants to monitor their usage to ensure there is still adequate availability for Tesla drivers and no issues with congestion at Supercharger locations.

*Find a Tesla Supercharger either by using the Tesla app or searching on Carwow’s Tesla Supercharger network map*

To find a Tesla Supercharger, download and search on the Tesla app. Non-Tesla drivers simply need to tap on ‘Find a Charger’ and use the filters to find locations open to other brands of EV.

Alternatively, use Carwow’s Tesla Supercharger network map and search for a Supercharger by entering the postcode, town or city and looking through the suggested locations or clicking on the icons on the map. It will show you how many chargers are at each location, the address and even navigate you to it.

Tesla Supercharger sites in the UK and Ireland open to all EVs currently includes:

Manchester, UK – Trafford Centre
Wokingham, UK
London, UK – Tottenham
Banbury, UK
Merry Hill, UK
Newmarket, UK – Studlands Shopping Park
Birmingham, UK – St Andrews
Fort William, Scotland, UK
Enfield, Ireland
Newport, UK
Thetford, UK
Folkestone, UK – France Bound Only
Aviemore, Scotland, UK
Trentham, UK
London, UK – Romford
Luton, UK
Dundee, Scotland, UK
Harrogate, UK
Flint Mountain, UK
Larkhall, UK
Kettering, UK
Frankley, UK – Southbound
Reading, UK – Westbound
Heathrow, UK – Terminals 2 & 3
Ipswich, UK
Cardiff, UK
Uxbridge, UK
Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
Lifton, UK
Guildford, UK
Athenry, Ireland
Inverness, Scotland, UK
Heartlands, UK
London, UK – Bromley
Trumpington, UK
Dorking, UK
Bristol, UK – Eastgate
London, UK – Sidcup
Eurocentral, UK
Adderstone, UK
Bristol, UK – Lysander Road
Solihull, UK – Service Centre
Carmarthen, Wales, UK
Grays, UK
Cork, Ireland – Mahon Point Shopping Centre

How to use a Tesla Supercharger

To use a Tesla Supercharger you will need the Tesla app on your smartphone.
The Tesla app enables you to search for charging locations, monitor your charging session and pay for it.
With Tesla latest V4 Superchargers, there is an option to use contactless car payments via a terminal on the Supercharger.
Use the map of charging locations on the Tesla app to locate Tesla Superchargers that are available to other brands of electric cars (there are currently 47 locations with 477 Superchargers across the UK and Ireland that non-Tesla cars can use).
Tap on your preferred location to find details of how many Superchargers at that location, plus important details such as: address, opening times, any facilities available, and charging prices.
When you get to a suitable charger location, plus the car in and follow the instructions on the app to start and finish your charging session.
Always monitor how your charge while it is in progress and make sure to return to the car before it finishes charging or you will be charged idle fees of up to £1/minute.

Non-Tesla cars pay a higher rate to use a Tesla Supercharger than Tesla drivers. Charging prices vary depending on the time of day.

For example, peak periods of between 4:00pm to 8:00pm cost £0.55/kWh compared to £0.45 at other times of the day.

Tesla offers a Supercharger Membership which has just been reduced from £10.99/month to £8.99/month, or £90/year. Annual membership provides Supercharger users with access to member rates (for charging). Tesla owners are automatically members. You can join via the Tesla app. There is a joining fee in addition to the monthly subscription.

*Using a Tesla Supercharger is quick and easy*

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