Tesla introduces variable Supercharger pricing in Europe

The Tesla supercharger network is one of the main advantages of Australia’s best-selling EV manufacturer. Now a major new development has occurred with variable pricing introduced at peak periods in response to the energy crisis there and soaring prices. 

According to Felix Arthur on Twitter, between 4 pm and 8 pm, prices are now higher across many European countries’ supercharging sites. 

Prices during these times are the equivalent of $1.30 AUD/kWh in superchargers located in the UK. In Australia, most superchargers are around half that price at around $0.65c/kWh.

Pricing of the superchargers heavily depends on the energy costs and demand at the time which differs in regions. 

With rising energy costs as Europe heads into winter, higher prices are expected to discourage some EV owners to charge their EVs during these afternoon peak times.

Tesla Model 3 at Karrinyup Supercharger, WA. Supplied

There is also an option to purchase a monthly membership from Tesla which can lower supercharging price per kWh. In the UK, it lowers the peak price by around $0.15 AUD to $1.16 AUD/kWh.

With many more EVs on the roads in Europe and some supercharger sites allowing non-Tesla EVs to charge too, it makes sense to lower some afternoon demand on the sites. That’s to offer an overall better charging experience.

Australian supercharging prices

In Australia, with summer holidays around the corner and more than 15,000 more Teslas on the road, it’d be a good test to see whether similar variable charging may need to be introduced until many more supercharging sites come on board by early 2023. Some of these new sites will be open to non-Tesla vehicles,

At this stage, pricing at Australian supercharger sites seem to be fixed and happens to be one of the most affordable ultra-fast charging option available to EV owners around the world.