European Tesla Model 3s will come with a CCS (Combined Charging System) fast charging compatible port when they arrive in the early part of 2019. That means that, as well as using Tesla’s own Supercharger and Destination networks, the Model 3 will be able to fast charge on third-party networks such as Polar/BP Chargemaster and Ionity.
Owners of Model X and Model S cars will also be able to use third-party CCS chargers by buying an adaptor that can be plugged into their cars’ existing on-board Type 2 sockets. The new adaptors are expected to be priced similarly to existing CHAdeMO fast-charging adaptors, which cost around €500 (£435), yet will be slightly smaller in form.
Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Tesla’s head of global charging infrastructure, Drew Bennett, said: “There’s a lot of excitement about Model 3 coming to Europe and charging is always part of that conversation.
“We’ll be continuing to invest in our network – that’s a huge part of the ownership experience. But we’ll be enabling our owners to have access to the CCS networks that are starting to grow in Europe, so the Model 3 will have a charge port for the CCS standard and we’ll also have an adaptor for Model S and X.
“All existing Tesla customers will be able to use the Supercharger network still, but these changes will allow people to venture outside the network – this is something that could really help our owners and is really exciting for us to be able to say that about the infrastructure in Europe.
“We’re all about accelerating the advent of sustainable energy and transportation and this is another way to help everybody scale.”
Tesla’s European Supercharger network now covers more than 430 locations with over 3,600 Superchargers, while Bennett promised the arrival of Model 3 will mean Tesla will be “investing more than ever” in its network. “We’ll accelerate things for sure,” he said. “We’re there to put infrastructure there before our owners need it; the Tesla Supercharger network and Tesla Destination network.”
Tesla will roll out upgrades to its Superchargers by adding CCS charger plugs to fit Model 3 before deliveries of the new car commence in Europe early next year. “It’ll start ahead of deliveries,” Bennett confirmed. “There’ll be a significant retro-fit and the goal is to make sure for all the main travel routes, as Model 3 launches, that owners will be able to go anywhere on the Supercharger network. We’ll continue to aggressively switch from the single connector per post to dual connectors per post.”
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Bennett also confirmed that Tesla is still very much open to discussions with other car makers about them having access to the Supercharger network. “We’re definitely open to talking to other car manufacturers who want to have access to the network,” said Bennett. “Capacity is a driver for our investment; it’s new routes, new markets and then capacity.
“A lot of car makers have spoken to us about it, but we haven’t had any conclusive discussions on it. They’re still trying to figure out what they would need in a network, but we’re a couple of years ahead of them in terms of embracing the investment required to transition to EVs.”
Tesla’s Model 3 deliveries in the US have reached new highs recently, but the European market could be even more lucrative, with Tesla recently reporting: “The mid-sized premium sedan market in Europe is more than twice as big as the same segment in the US. This is why we are excited to bring Model 3 to Europe early next year.”
Model 3s will start to appear in European Tesla stores this week, with pricing and specifications announced in the new year.
As for UK deliveries, Elon Musk tweeted earlier this year that “Model 3 was designed for min engineering & tooling change for RHD. Note left/right symmetry. LHD for Europe & Asia first half of next year. RHD probably middle of next year.”
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