Tesla DC Supercharger network to come to India

Tesla is now officially in India. Its Model Y, priced at Rs 59.89 lakh for the standard version and Rs 67.89 Lakh for the long-range version, will soon be on the roads. But what about Tesla’s charging infrastructure? A large part of Tesla’s success has always been attributed to its network of fast chargers, or Superchargers. They allow for long-distance travel out of metros and help get rid of some amount of range anxiety within the city. 

1. Tesla V4 Supercharger tops up 267km of range in just 15 minutes 
2. Tesla to also set up ‘destination chargers’ at hotels and malls 
3. After-sales service centres and delivery hubs to also come up eventually 

Tesla Supercharger network in India

It’s an important part of the Tesla ownership experience

Isabel Fan, regional director at Tesla, said as much at the launch. “Our success is not just down to vehicle technology, but the charging technology as well, and charging is part of EV ownership.” The Supercharger network that Tesla will install in India will be the same as that used in other markets; Tesla always says its products and services do not need to be tailored to local markets. And this, for the most part, barring a few local regulations, is also why we will get the new V4 Supercharger, Tesla’s DC fast charger.

Tesla V4 Supercharger on display at the new Mumbai showroom.

The V4 Supercharger explained

DC fast charger can add 256Km of range to the Model Y in 15 minutes

Capable of delivering up to 500kW to cars (and 1.2MW to Tesla’s tractor trailer or Semi), it is built on a 1,000V bus and can deliver a theoretical output of 600kW per stall, or more. Importantly, a V4 charging point can add up to 267km of range to the Model Y in just 15 minutes when operating at a maximum of 250kW. Key features include a liquid-cooled, roughly 3-metre-long cable; the dispenser has an operating temperature range of -30 to +50 degrees Celsius, and individual charging stations can put out 5-1000amps (probably a record). Amps matter because charging power is calculated as Power (kW) = Voltage × Current (Amps). The plugs that will be used in India are CCS Type 2, the ones commonly used across India.

Tesla Supercharger locations in India

Model Y price details for Supercharger are yet to be announced

A look at the first Tesla India showroom in Mumbai.

Tesla says it will have four V4 Supercharger stations in Mumbai (Lower Parel, Bandra Kurla, Navi Mumbai and Thane), each with four charging points, and the same pattern will be followed in Delhi at Aerocity, Saket, Gurugram and Noida. Both metros, in addition, will get a dozen or so ‘destination chargers’ at hotels and malls that look and function in a similar manner to the one that will be provided with the cars. These will be primarily for overnight and medium-duration charging. Also, expect Tesla to install Superchargers on popular routes out of the city for both Mumbai and Delhi, as it has done in markets around the world.

For the record, Tesla claims its Supercharger network in 2024 had an uptime of 99.95 percent, but this is likely to be a challenge in India. Also, while there are no details yet on the pricing, Supercharger networks around the world are generally competitively priced for Tesla owners. Owners of other EVs can use the network, but the price will be higher, unless they subscribe to the service (approx Rs 12,500 a year in other markets). Tesla is looking for partners to host its Supercharger stations; details are available on the Tesla India website.        

The American company also says it will build after-sales service centres in Mumbai and Delhi and invest in delivery hubs, workplaces and logistics to support owners. The dealerships will function on a direct-sales model.