The future of electric vehicle charging has officially begun. Tesla’s first true V4 Supercharger station is now operational in California, boasting a staggering potential output of up to 500 kW. This new hardware represents a significant leap forward, designed to slash charging times for the next generation of EVs. Naturally, all eyes turned to the only current Tesla passenger vehicle built to handle that power: the much-hyped Cybertruck.
But in a reality check for early adopters, the first real-world Cybertruck charging test on this powerful new V4 stall has delivered more of a whimper than a bang, pointing directly to the vehicle's 4680 battery pack as the primary bottleneck.
The Promise vs. The Reality of 500 kW Charging
Tesla itself set the stage for high expectations. The company’s official Cybertruck account recently showcased a brief video of the electric pickup charging at over 500 kW, with a staggering rate of 1,441 miles of range recovered per hour.
However, that video tells only part of the story. The key takeaway is the word "brief." The Cybertruck was only able to sustain that peak 500 kW charging rate for a matter of seconds before the rate plummeted.
According to Tesla engineer Wes Morrill, the Cybertruck can "recover up to 44% in 15 mins" on a V4 stall, assuming you start with a low state of charge and a preconditioned battery. While an improvement over the V3 Supercharger's performance, this is a far cry from the 10%-80% charge in just 18 minutes that Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, previously teased to reviewers.
Embedded Twitter Link 1: https://x.com/wmorrill3/status/1972713146344415248In the same test session where the 500 kW peak was hit, the in-vehicle software still estimated a total of 35 minutes to reach an 80% charge. This is barely an improvement over the approximately 40 minutes it currently takes on a V3 Supercharger.
By the Numbers: A Disappointing Sustained Rate
When you break down the math, the Cybertruck's charging limitations become crystal clear. Charging its 123 kWh battery to 80% capacity in 35 minutes implies a sustained average charge rate of roughly 170 kW.
This aligns with previous observations of the Cybertruck's charging curve, which has typically maxed out at an average of just over 150 kW. This means that even when plugged into a 500 kW-capable charger—over three times its sustainable rate—the Cybertruck only sees a marginal benefit. Wes Morrill confirmed this, stating that the true V4 Superchargers charge the Cybertruck just 13% faster than their V3 counterparts.
Embedded Twitter Link 2: https://x.com/cybertruck/status/1972710719935369687The Usual Suspect: The Thermally-Challenged 4680 Battery
With the charging hardware officially ruled out (the V4 Supercharger is clearly capable of delivering the power), the culprit points squarely at the Cybertruck’s internal technology: its second-generation 4680 battery cell.
While the Cybertruck features a modern 800V powertrain architecture, which is key to accepting ultra-fast charge rates, the 4680 battery itself appears to be the weak link. Industry analysis suggests the thermal efficiency of Tesla's 4680 cells lags behind the competition, particularly industry leaders like BYD and CATL.
The issue is heat. The 4680 battery cannot maintain high charging rates for an extended period without generating excessive heat. To protect the battery's health and ensure safety, the Cybertruck's software aggressively throttles the charging input, resulting in the steep drop from a 500 kW peak to a much lower sustained rate.
This performance is thrown into sharp relief when compared to other 800V vehicles on the market. Hyundai's E-GMP platform vehicles, like the Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5, can sustain average charging rates of over 220 kW, allowing them to recover over 900 miles of range per hour on a capable DC fast charger.
The Bottom Line for Tesla
The inaugural test reveals a critical challenge for Tesla. Even if its entire Supercharger network were instantly upgraded to 500 kW V4 stalls, the average charging speed for its fleet would not dramatically improve. The reason is simple: the Cybertruck is its only 800V passenger vehicle, and it's hampered by a battery that can't consistently take full advantage of the power available.
For now, the dream of consistent, ultra-fast 500 kW charging for the Cybertruck remains just that—a dream. The true V4 Supercharger is ready and waiting, but the Cybertruck’s 4680 battery isn't.
Looking for a faster charging solution at home? While public charging speed is limited by the vehicle, you can maximize your home charging efficiency with the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector.
Get the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector with a 24-foot cable on Amazon here.
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— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) September 29, 2025
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