Tesla Secures €149 Million EU Funding Boost for Supercharger Network Expansion
European Union Backs Tesla's Vision for Sustainable Mobility with Massive Investment
In a groundbreaking move toward expanding its Supercharger network across Europe, Tesla has secured a substantial funding injection of nearly €149 million from the European Union. This investment is set to propel the electric vehicle (EV) giant into a new era of sustainable mobility.
The core of this funding will be channeled into the installation and upgrade of over 7,000 Superchargers, each equipped with the latest V4 technology. Tesla’s visionary approach aligns perfectly with the European Union’s Green Deal, which seeks to foster sustainability initiatives throughout the continent. To this end, the EU has pledged an impressive €352 million to support a total of 26 infrastructure projects.
These projects, handpicked under the umbrella of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), signify a significant stride towards a greener, more efficient transportation network. Following a rigorous selection process that concluded on April 13, 2023, the EU has now unveiled the fortunate recipients of these funds.
Tesla, a frontrunner in electric vehicle technology, emerged victorious with two Supercharger initiatives: one under the banner of Tesla Italy and another under Tesla Poland. The combined funding for these projects amounts to an impressive €148,720,000, approximately equivalent to $149,836,671 in US currency.
The comprehensive list of approved projects was initially brought to light by Electrive, a prominent source for EV-related news and insights. However, it is important to note that while Tesla Italy and Tesla Poland initiated these projects, their impact will extend far beyond the borders of their respective countries.
For instance, the project proposed by Tesla Italy, which secured €133,780,000 in funding, has an expansive scope:
“The project aims at deploying 6,458 recharging points (250 kW) for LDVs in 613 locations spanning 16 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden) along the Core and Comprehensive Network. The project envisions both the establishment of new recharging stations and the replacement of existing, outdated recharging points that fail to meet the call’s requirements in terms of recharging capacity and open accessibility.”
The language employed in these project descriptions strongly hints at Tesla’s commitment to upgrading older Supercharger infrastructure with the innovative V4 technology. This technology, introduced earlier this year in Europe, is designed to accommodate a wide range of EVs and boasts a longer charging cable for enhanced accessibility, welcoming non-Tesla EVs into the fold.
In parallel, Tesla Poland secured €14,940,000 in funding for its initiative, which revolves around the deployment of new Supercharger equipment across six countries:
“The project aims to deploy 740 recharging points (250 kW) for LDVs in 74 locations across six countries (Czech Republic, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia) along the Core and Comprehensive Network. The project anticipates both the establishment of new recharging stations and the replacement of existing, outdated recharging points that do not meet the call’s requirements in terms of recharging capacity and open accessibility.”
The use of the term “open accessibility” in these project descriptions strongly implies the replacement of older Supercharger stalls with the advanced V4 technology, underscoring Tesla’s commitment to making EV charging more convenient and inclusive.
Additionally, Tesla’s European Superchargers have recently seen the integration of other cutting-edge features. Notably, the first V4 stall in the United Kingdom not only represents the introduction of this groundbreaking technology but also boasts the convenience of contactless payment—a testament to Tesla’s dedication to enhancing the EV charging experience.
