By: Otaiba Ahsan

If you’ve spoken to a Tesla driver, or own one yourself, you know how convenient the Supercharging network is. It’s something that no other electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer has been able to replicate at a scale as large as Tesla. When it comes to Supercharging, there are different options available that provide varying levels of charging speed. This is important to know, as understanding the difference can slash your charging stop from 30 minutes down to 15. Continue reading for tips on how to tell which Tesla charger is the fastest for Supercharging.

Types of Chargers for Supercharging

There are currently two types of chargers that you may come across for Supercharging. This includes V2 chargers, which provide a maximum speed of 150 kilowatts, as well as V3, which can boast up to 250 kilowatts. This means that V3 chargers are approximately 67% faster than the other, which is a significant increase in speed.

If you’ve stopped at a Supercharger and aren’t sure what version it is, you can often tell by looking at the cable. V2 cables are thick and heavy, and are about as twice as big as its successor. On the flip side, V3 cables are thinner and lighter, with them having a smaller diameter thanks to their liquid-cooled design.

NOTE: Unsure how to Supercharge? See our comprehensive guide on how to charge your Tesla at a Supercharger.

Finding V2 and V3 Superchargers

To display charging locations on the map, simply touch the map’s search bar and tap Charging. This will display charging locations in a list, including Tesla Superchargers, with the closest ones at the top. These locations correspond to a pin on the map, and you can touch any pin to display more information, navigate to it, or mark it as a favourite.

Moreover, there are lightning bolt icons to specify the types of charging locations you want the map to include. By default, the map will display only Superchargers which are typically medium or high-power chargers:

1. One lightning bolt will include low power, such as destination charging locations.
2. Two lightning bolts display medium power chargers. Any Supercharging that falls in this category is considered V2.
3. Three lightning bolts include high-power chargers. Superchargers in this list will likely be V3.

When it comes to Superchargers, the appearance of its pin will reveal the status of the charger. For example, if it’s grayed out then that location is experiencing a high volume of users and you may need to wait before charging. Tesla has a useful guide on Supercharger status based on different pin appearances.

TIP: A resource I’ve personally found extremely handy is the Plugshare app and website, which can provide you with locations on Superchargers and destination chargers in your area. In many cases, it provides images of the chargers, the cost per kWh, how reliable they are and more.

The Bottom Line

That concludes the guide on how to tell which Tesla charger is the fastest for Supercharging. V2 chargers will have thicker cables and provide a slower overall speed compared to V3, which are faster and lighter. Use the Tesla maps in your vehicle to find out which chargers are close to you or in your path. If charging speed is important to you, then be sure to target V3 chargers on your way.