Elon Musk: Tesla Supercharger V3 With Over 350 kW Power Output; Off-Grid Solar And Powerpacks

Long-range electric Vehicles (EV) like the Tesla Model S and X are now in existence as well as relatively affordable alternatives such as the Chevy Bolt EV. But of course, it could be further down the road when we see EV's that are both affordable, produced in volumes, and probably the most important is a way to charge these EV's in 15 minutes or less.

Supercharger Trifecta

Tesla CEO Elon Musk plans to produce Tesla's Model 3 for at least 400,000 units a year that might curb the need for a long-range mass-produced and relatively affordable EV. Accordingly, Musk also confirmed filling in the last piece needed to complete the EV adoption.

In a Twitter conversation with Musk, Fred Lambert asks about the third generation Supercharger V3. Three steps up from the two previous generations that provide power at 120 kW and 135-145 kW for the first and second-generation respectively.

Musk responded to the Tweet by saying charging at a mere 350 kW is like referring it to a children's toy, which would only mean the capabilities of the Supercharger V3 would have an output of more than 350 kW. With this, the average charging time for a 300-mile battery pack would be shortened to 15 minutes or less, according to Electrek.

One caveat is that Tesla's existing vehicles will not be able to take that much power with their current battery packs. However, new battery cells Tesla aims to manufacture at its Gigafactory for the Model 3 and its older models are reportedly designed to receive a much higher charge rate. The release of the Supercharger V3 completes the trio of having an EV that is cheap, long-range, and rechargeable in the shortest time possible.

Off-Grid Supercharger Stations

Responding to Twitter regarding the possibility of using solar arrays, Musk responded that there are some already installed. However, he adds that a full roll out still needs Supercharger V3 and Powerpack V2, plus SolarCity, LeftLaneNews reported.

This development employing solar arrays and Tesla's new Powerpack would mean some Supercharger stations in sunnier regions could operate off-grid. Tesla's timeline in executing this move is still unclear at this point but as Musk stated, the pieces are in place resulting from the acquisition of SolarCity and the release of the new Powerpack 2.