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Tesla begins Supercharger CCS upgrade ahead of Model 3 rollout in Europe
It is still a couple of months before Model 3 deliveries in Europe are expected to begin, but Tesla is already starting the rollout of dual-charge CCS Superchargers in the region. The company confirmed last month that the Model 3 will be getting a CCS plug for Europe, while a CCS adapter will be introduced for the Model S and X. During its announcement for the Model 3’s charging standard for the region, Tesla noted that it would be “retrofitting our existing Superchargers with dual charge cables to enable Model 3, which will come with a CCS Combo 2 charge port, to use the Tesla Supercharger network.”
Tesla’s adoption of CCS (Combined Charging System) is a notable step for the electric car maker. CCS, after all, is prevalent in the region, being preferred by several European carmakers including BMW, Volkswagen and the Daimler group. The system combines the Type 2 design, which is used for slower AC charging at home or work, as well as with two large DC pins for rapid charging. CCS competes with the CHAdeMO rapid charging standard, which is being used by companies such as Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru.
Tesla owner-enthusiast Hans Noordsij visited the site of Tesla’s first dual charge Supercharger station, where he was able to take photos and meet Tesla staff who were working on the updated charging stall. Several details of the upgraded Supercharger were evident from Hans’ images, including a sign indicating that the new stations are “Model 3 Priority.”
- One of Tesla’s first dual-charge, CCS-compatible Superchargers in Europe. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
- A close-up of Tesla’s CCS plug for the Model 3. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
- One of Tesla’s first dual-charge, CCS-compatible Superchargers in Europe. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
One of Tesla’s first dual-charge, CCS-compatible Superchargers in Europe. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
Speaking to Teslarati after his trip to the Supercharger, Hans noted that Tesla was testing the connection of a Model 3 to the dual charge station when he arrived. Tesla’s staff reportedly informed him that they were aiming to add CCS connectors to every Supercharger in the Netherlands sometime in January.
We reached out to Tesla for more information about its first dual charge CCS Supercharger in Europe. The electric car maker noted that the first upgraded stations are located at the Badhoevedorp Supercharger near the Corendon Village Hotel, just outside Amsterdam. The site currently has 20 Superchargers, and Tesla is installing 8 more stalls on the site, each of which is fitted with both a CCS and a Type 2 connector. When completed, 8 out of the 28 stalls in the location would be compatible with the Model 3, S, and X, while the remaining 20 would be compatible with the flagship sedan and SUV.
Tesla plans to fully retrofit Europe’s Supercharger Network with its dual charge CCS system, allowing the Model 3 to have access to Tesla’s expansive charging infrastructure. While Tesla is in the process of retrofitting its Superchargers with CCS plugs, though, Model 3 owners in the region could expect their vehicles to smartly suggest charging stations that are fitted with the necessary connectors. The location, as well as the availability of these CCS stalls, would be displayed on the Model 3’s display.
- A Tesla Model 3 gets connected to one of Tesla’s first dual-charge, CCS-compatible Superchargers in Europe. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
- One of Tesla’s first dual-charge, CCS-compatible Superchargers in Europe. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
- A Tesla Model 3 gets connected to one of Tesla’s first dual-charge, CCS-compatible Superchargers in Europe. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
A Tesla Model 3 gets connected to one of Tesla’s first dual-charge, CCS-compatible Superchargers in Europe. (Photo: Hans Noordsij)
Europe is a pivotal part of Tesla’s strategy for the Model 3, considering that the premium sedan segment is twice as big in the region as it is in the United States. The Model 3 is already performing well in the US, despite the country being enamored by SUVs and pickup trucks. In a market where sedans are prevalent such Europe, the Model 3’s potential is vast.
Considering that Tesla is now rolling out CCS plugs on its European Supercharger Network, the idea of Tesla sharing its charging infrastructure with other electric cars emerges once more. Tesla’s head of global charging infrastructure, Drew Bennett, addressed this in an interview with Auto Express UK, where he noted that several EV makers have already reached out to Tesla about sharing the Supercharger Network.
“We’re definitely open to talking to other car manufacturers who want to have access to the network. Capacity is a driver for our investment; it’s new routes, new markets and then capacity. A lot of car makers have spoken to us about it, but we haven’t had any conclusive discussions on it. They’re still trying to figure out what they would need in a network, but we’re a couple of years ahead of them in terms of embracing the investment required to transition to EVs,” Bennett said.
Elon Musk
Tesla AI5 chip nears completion, Elon Musk teases 9-month development cadence
The Tesla CEO shared his recent insights in a post on social media platform X.
Tesla’s next-generation AI5 chip is nearly complete, and work on its successor is already underway, as per a recent update from Elon Musk.
The Tesla CEO shared his recent insights in a post on social media platform X.
Musk details AI chip roadmap
In his post, Elon Musk stated that Tesla’s AI5 chip design is “almost done,” while AI6 has already entered early development. Musk added that Tesla plans to continue iterating rapidly, with AI7, AI8, AI9, and future generations targeting a nine-month design cycle.
He also noted that Tesla’s in-house chips could become the highest-volume AI processors in the world. Musk framed his update as a recruiting message, encouraging engineers to join Tesla’s AI and chip development teams.
Tesla community member Herbert Ong highlighted the strategic importance of the timeline, noting that faster chip cycles enable quicker learning, faster iteration, and a compounding advantage in AI and autonomy that becomes increasingly difficult for competitors to close.
AI5 manufacturing takes shape
Musk’s comments align with earlier reporting on AI5’s production plans. In December, it was reported that Samsung is preparing to manufacture Tesla’s AI5 chip, accelerating hiring for experienced engineers to support U.S. production and address complex foundry challenges.
Samsung is one of two suppliers selected for AI5, alongside TSMC. The companies are expected to produce different versions of the AI5 chip, with TSMC reportedly using a 3nm process and Samsung using a 2nm process.
Musk has previously stated that while different foundries translate chip designs into physical silicon in different ways, the goal is for both versions of the Tesla AI5 chip to operate identically. AI5 will succeed Tesla’s current AI4 hardware, formerly known as Hardware 4, and is expected to support the company’s Full Self-Driving system as well as other AI-driven efforts, including Optimus.
News
Tesla Model Y and Model 3 named safest vehicles tested by ANCAP in 2025
According to ANCAP in a press release, the Tesla Model Y achieved the highest overall weighted score of any vehicle assessed in 2025.
The Tesla Model Y recorded the highest overall safety score of any vehicle tested by ANCAP in 2025. The Tesla Model 3 also delivered strong results, reinforcing the automaker’s safety leadership in Australia and New Zealand.
According to ANCAP in a press release, the Tesla Model Y achieved the highest overall weighted score of any vehicle assessed in 2025. ANCAP’s 2025 tests evaluated vehicles across four key pillars: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist technologies.
The Model Y posted consistently strong results in all four categories, distinguishing itself through a system-based safety approach that combines structural crash protection with advanced driver-assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane support, and driver monitoring.

This marked the second time the Model Y has topped ANCAP’s annual safety rankings. The Model Y’s previous version was also ANCAP’s top performer in 2022.
The Tesla Model 3 also delivered a strong performance in ANCAP’s 2025 tests, contributing to Tesla’s broader safety presence across segments. Similar to the Model Y, the Model 3 also earned impressive scores across the ANCAP’s four pillars. This made the vehicle the top performer in the Medium Car category.
ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg stated that the results highlight a growing industry shift toward integrated safety design, with improvements in technologies such as autonomous emergency braking and lane support translating into meaningful real-world protection.
“ANCAP’s testing continues to reinforce a clear message: the safest vehicles are those designed with safety as a system, not a checklist. The top performers this year delivered consistent results across physical crash protection, crash avoidance and vulnerable road user safety, rather than relying on strength in a single area.
“We are also seeing increasing alignment between ANCAP’s test requirements and the safety technologies that genuinely matter on Australian and New Zealand roads. Improvements in autonomous emergency braking, lane support, and driver monitoring systems are translating into more robust protection,” Hoorweg said.
News
Tesla Sweden uses Megapack battery to bypass unions’ Supercharger blockade
Just before Christmas, Tesla went live with a new charging station in Arlandastad, outside Stockholm, by powering it with a Tesla Megapack battery.
Tesla Sweden has successfully launched a new Supercharger station despite an ongoing blockade by Swedish unions, using on-site Megapack batteries instead of traditional grid connections. The workaround has allowed the Supercharger to operate without direct access to Sweden’s electricity network, which has been effectively frozen by labor action.
Tesla has experienced notable challenges connecting its new charging stations to Sweden’s power grid due to industrial action led by Seko, a major Swedish trade union, which has blocked all new electrical connections for new Superchargers. On paper, this made the opening of new Supercharger sites almost impossible.
Despite the blockade, Tesla has continued to bring stations online. In Malmö and Södertälje, new Supercharger locations opened after grid operators E.ON and Telge Nät activated the sites. The operators later stated that the connections had been made in error.
More recently, however, Tesla adopted a different strategy altogether. Just before Christmas, Tesla went live with a new charging station in Arlandastad, outside Stockholm, by powering it with a Tesla Megapack battery, as noted in a Dagens Arbete (DA) report.
Because the Supercharger station does not rely on a permanent grid connection, Tesla was able to bypass the blocked application process, as noted by Swedish car journalist and YouTuber Peter Esse. He noted that the Arlandastad Supercharger is likely dependent on nearby companies to recharge the batteries, likely through private arrangements.
Eight new charging stalls have been launched in the Arlandastad site so far, which is a fraction of the originally planned 40 chargers for the location. Still, the fact that Tesla Sweden was able to work around the unions’ efforts once more is impressive, especially since Superchargers are used even by non-Tesla EVs.
Esse noted that Tesla’s Megapack workaround is not as easily replicated in other locations. Arlandastad is unique because neighboring operators already have access to grid power, making it possible for Tesla to source electricity indirectly. Still, Esse noted that the unions’ blockades have not affected sales as much.
“Many want Tesla to lose sales due to the union blockades. But you have to remember that sales are falling from 2024, when Tesla sold a record number of cars in Sweden. That year, the unions also had blockades against Tesla. So for Tesla as a charging operator, it is devastating. But for Tesla as a car company, it does not matter in terms of sales volumes. People charge their cars where there is an opportunity, usually at home,” Esse noted.





