Tesla has just announced the V4 power electronics cabinets for its DC fast-charging stations with V4 dispensers, which significantly increase the power output. The new, long-awaited V4 cabinets increase the maximum voltage to 1,000 volts.

The V4 cabinet will have an output of up to 1.2 megawatts (1,200 kW), the max of which is expected to be provided for Tesla Semi vehicles. In the case of Superchargers for light-duty vehicles, one V4 cabinet will supply power for up to eight V4 Supercharging dispensers. The power output will be dynamically allocated between the stalls, while the peak value per stall will be 500 kW.

500 kW for the Tesla Cybertruck

According to a video, the Tesla Cybertruck pickup will be able to recharge at up to 500 kW (at least for a short period). At the same time, its range replenishing rate would increase to a new peak value of 1,302 miles per hour. Assuming that the battery’s maximum voltage is lower than 1,000 volts, the charging current must be hundreds of amps.

At this point, we don’t know whether the higher power will also be available for other Tesla EVs, which are currently accepting up to about 250 kW at V3 Superchargers (V3 cabinets) — 400-volt battery systems might be the bottleneck here.

“Faster charging: Supports 400V-1000V vehicle architectures, including 30% faster charging for Cybertruck. S3XY vehicles enjoy 250kW charge rates they already experience on V3 Cabinet — charging up to 200 miles in 15 minutes.”

pic.twitter.com/fte2TJaInp

— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) November 14, 2024

Let’s recall that Tesla first launched its Superchargers in 2012. The V1 version of the dispenser was rated at up to 90 kilowatts. Later, the power output was increased to 120 kW (and boosted further to 150 kW) in the V2 version. The V3 version — used currently at most sites — is rated at up to around 250 kW.

In April 2023, Tesla started deploying all-new V4 Supercharging dispensers in Europe, which were ready for up to 1,000 volts. However, they were powered from the V3 power electronics cabinets and still rated at just 250 kW (up to about 500 volts). The first V4 dispensers arrived in the United States in November 2023 and in Canada in September 2024.

The main idea behind the V4 dispensers was to prepare for the opening of the Tesla Supercharging network to non-Tesla EVs. The V4 dispenser is significantly taller to accommodate the longer cable required to reach charging inlets in different locations. It also brings a credit card reader and display for authorization and payment. Now, with the V4 power electronics cabinet, we guess it will also support high-voltage battery packs of up to 1,000 volts and offer a higher charging power through the SAE J3400 (NACS) plug.

V4 Cabinet & Eight V4 Dispensers

Tesla explains that one V4 power electronics cabinet can provide electricity for up to eight individual V4 dispensers (or stalls). That’s twice as many as before — the V3 cabinet could supply only four stalls. This should help to reduce the overall complexity and cost of installation.

“Faster deployments: V4 Cabinet powers 8 posts, 2X the stalls per cabinet. Lower footprint and complexity = more sites coming online faster.”

As we noted, the power output will be dynamically allocated between the stalls, with a peak value of 500 kW at a single stall. Assuming that the total output is 1.2 MW (available at one dispenser for the Tesla Semi), the average power for eight stalls would be closer to 150 kW.

According to Max de Zegher, Tesla’s Director of Charging, eight stalls require less than 1 MW 99% of the time: “Posts can peak up to 500kW for cars, but we need less than 1MW across 8 posts to deliver maximum power to cars 99% of the time.” This indicates that with a proper dynamic allocation of power, there should be no issues. Remember that the peak power values are often used only for a brief period.

Higher Efficiency

Tesla says the V4 power electronics cabinet has a power density that is three times higher than its predecessor.

“Next-generation hardware: Cutting-edge power electronics designed to be the most reliable on the planet, with 3X power density enabling higher throughput with lower costs.”

Max de Zegher also revealed in a separate post that the efficiency of the power electronics increased by 2%. In the long run and at Tesla’s scale, this matters a lot: “Even some of the small incremental improvements matter. V4 Cabinet has a 2% efficiency improvement. Superchargers already deliver over 5 TWh/year, 100 GWh/year in waste heat that can be saved.”

Posts can peak up to 500kW for cars, but we need less than 1MW across 8 posts to deliver maximum power to cars 99% of the time.

No more DC busbar between cabinets. Power comes from a single V4 cabinet to 8 stalls. Easier to install, cheaper, more reliable.

Even some of the… https://t.co/Tou0tiaBaL

— Max de Zegher (@MdeZegher) November 14, 2024

First in 2025

According to Tesla, the first “sites with V4 Cabinets are going into permitting now. First openings in 2025.” We can assume that the rollout will be gradual. The first new V4 cabinets are expected at some new sites, and then eventually at the older ones as an upgrade.

https://t.co/I1TqfSpiyD

— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) November 14, 2024

With an output of up to 500 kW at Superchargers for light-duty EVs and full support for high-voltage battery systems of up to 1,000 volts, the Supercharging network will become even more attractive. This matters, especially for DC fast-charging of non-Tesla EVs with high-voltage battery systems.