UK Tesla Charging Networks and How to Use Them

The textbook electric car

Electric cars have become much more mainstream in recent years. As technology has evolved, so has the electric car. Their ranges are much higher, their performance is more impressive and the ability to charge them has become much more convenient.

But if you want the best electric car out there, the name Tesla goes hand in hand. And for the last couple of years, Teslas have topped the best-selling electric cars in the UK.

What's more, in 2022, the Tesla Model Y was the third best-selling car in the UK, behind the ever-poplar Nissan Qashqai and Vauxhall Corsa.

And with the used car market still very much thriving due to the seemingly ongoing issues with new cars, a used Tesla is a tempting prospect, especially with how much you can save over a new one.

Thinking of buying a new or used Tesla? Read on to discover information about Tesla charging networks, and how to use them.

Tesla Charging Infrastructure

With charging capabilities very much a key selling point of which electric car is right for you, Tesla made sure its charging infrastructure was on point, to get ahead of the competition. At the time of writing, there's around 1000 Tesla Superchargers at over 100 locations in the UK, after starting out with only a handful in London in 2014.

Of course, home charging is very much up to the individual, but when on the move, it's important to know where you can top-up your range if you own an electric car. Tesla therefore created lots of bespoke charging stations specifically for Tesla models, which include the Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y.

With such a wide infrastructure, Tesla decided to share their chargers with other manufacturers, which was first tested in 2021 in the Netherlands. It's since come to the UK with certain locations offering non-Tesla charging, more of which is explained further on in this blog.

What's the difference between Tesla Superchargers and regular Tesla chargers?

The clue is in the name with the types of chargers available for Tesla cars.

Regular Tesla chargers are called 'Destination Chargers'. These tend to be at destinations you are going to end up at and offer up to 22kW charging. These tend to be shopping centres and hotels for example.

Tesla Superchargers on the other hand are much quicker, and are often found at places like motorway service stations or similar, that you would encounter whilst on a longer journey. These deliver up to 250kW, although 150kW charging seems to be the going rate for a typical Tesla Supercharger.

How do I use a Tesla Supercharger or Destination charger?

If you own a Tesla, using the chargepoint, whether a Destination charger or Supercharger is pretty easy and straightforward.

After finding the charger you want, whether it be stopping on route to a destination, or using a charger at the location you are going to, charging your Tesla is simple.

That's because the charger will communicate with your Tesla once you start to 'plug and play' the charger with the car.

You can also see the progress via the Tesla's infotainment screen, or via the Tesla smartphone app. This is the same process in locating a charger, which can be seen on a Tesla's infotainment or via the dedicated Tesla smartphone app.

Can I use a Tesla charger if I don't own a Tesla?

If you don't own a Tesla, it's still possible to charge your electric car from the likes of Ford, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai and Vauxhall using a selected Tesla charger by following the steps below:

Firstly, download the Tesla smartphone app for iOS or Android and find your compatible charger at your chosen location. Then follow the steps below.

• Select ' Charge Your Non-Tesla'
• Apply your payment
• Plug in your non-Tesla car and select 'Start Charging' on the app
• Select 'Stop Charging' to end your session

It's worth noting electric cars with equipped with a CCS connector can use a Tesla Supercharger. Most new electric cars come with this compatibility.

How much do Tesla Destination Chargers and Superchargers cost, and how fast are they?

If you're using a Tesla Destination Charger, the cost is usually free of charge, if your're a customer to that location. For example, if you're spending the night at a hotel or paying for services or items at a shopping centre.

As for Tesla Supercharger costs, this can vary. Some Tesla models were sold with free Supercharger use for life, but these models tended to be prior to 2017.

Newer Tesla owners will have to pay to use a Supercharger, but they are cheaper rates than that of non-Tesla owners. It's best to check the costs which will be highlighted on the charger/Tesla app.

How long your Tesla will take to charge depends on the specification of your Tesla, how full the battery is and what type of charger you are using.

As a guide, you should be able to charge your Tesla from 10 and 80 percent in around 30 minutes.

Find a used Tesla with Evans Halshaw

At Evans Halshaw it's not uncommon for us to have a number of used Tesla cars for sale within our group stock.

You can view our used cars here, and can filter your preferences to fond your perfect used Tesla, or another used electric vehicle of your choice.

We also supply a selection of new cars from some of the world's most popular manufacturers.

Also, if you enjoyed this article, find more like it in our dedicated blog section.