During a long-distance journey, a traveler needs to charge their vehicles as soon as possible to continue their journey. Thus, the Tesla Supercharger has become one of the most important aspects of long-distance travel. These high-power charging stations charge the vehicle in less time. 

However, most of the Tesla owners often wonder – Is Supercharger bad for Tesla? In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss whether it is safe or not. 

Are the Superchargers bad for Tesla?

Superchargers are high-power(480V) charging stations located near amenities such as hotels and restaurants, shops, and restrooms. The station has multiple superchargers to get the vehicles recharged. 

Charging your Tesla using a supercharger is usually considered to be safe as it does not severely affect the battery life. 

It has been a long time since there was a misconception in the industry that frequent fast charging degrades the quality of the battery. It affects the longevity and performance of the electric batteries. 

Even Tesla used to warn against not charging batteries with superchargers in the long run. 

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla commented on the importance of battery research and development at Tesla Battery Day in 2020. He said “Supercharging is stressful on the battery,” but he also emphasized that Tesla is constantly improving its battery technology.  

But this was concluded just as a misconception, there is no strong evidence that supercharging decreases the efficiency of the battery. 

Tesla has confirmed that its batteries can withstand frequent fast charging without significant degradation. In its latest updates and statements, the company has emphasized improvements in battery technology and management systems that minimize the impact of fast charging. 

Does Supercharging Damage Batteries?

Tesla owners are concerned about the fact whether fast charging damages the batteries or not. Well, some studies revealed that supercharging slightly reduces the battery capacity over time. 

So it is recommended to use other home charging options such as Standard wall Outlet and Tesla wall connector than supercharging for daily uses. 

However,  Tesla has reformed its battery technology and it is more advanced now. It can bear the pressure of fast charging and does not affect the battery. 

Home charging is generally recommended for daily use when you are not in a hurry and you have enough time to charge your vehicle. This is because home charging is cost-effective. 

Supercharging is suitable for those who are on a trip and those who have no access to home charging. You can plan your trip through Tesla trip Planner app, here is a complete guide on Tesla trip Planner.

Should You Charge 100%?

On a travel route, there are many charging stations. While you are using a supercharger your vehicle will recommend the charge needed to reach the next charging station. This reduces the crowd at a station. 

Also, note that the charging speed slows down as the battery charge percentage increases. That is charging 100% takes more time than charging 80%. The charging time of Tesla depends on the Vehicle’s model.  

Thus your vehicle automatically adjusts your charging limit to 80% but you can adjust the charging limit on your own.

What should you Avoid While Supercharging? 

• Do not use a supercharger in extreme temperatures; cold weather conditions and hot weather conditions. 
• Avoid charging 100% regularly
• Do not leave your Tesla plugged in for long periods even after reaching full charge. 
• Do not ignore the warning messages while supercharging your Tesla.
• Rapid acceleration after supercharging should be avoided. This is because already heated batteries while charging get heated up more due to more acceleration. Thus there is a high chance of fire accidents.
• Avoid using third-party supercharger adaptors. 

Conclusion 

A supercharger is a quick method of charging most often used while having a long-distance trip. Due to advancements in battery technology, charging your Tesla using a supercharger does not affect the battery and it is completely safe. So your concern – Is supercharger bad for Tesla? Well, it’s not bad you can use supercharging whenever necessary.

Although it is recommended to use home charging options for daily uses and while you have enough time for charging. Superchargers are highly applicable for long-distance trips.  

If you need any further information regarding the supercharger supports you can visit Tesla supercharger support .