Tesla’s Charging Snake and Upcoming V4 Wireless Charging Compatibility

The Ride the Lightning podcast recently featured Tesla’s VP of Engineering, Lars Moravy, discussing a range of topics, including the upcoming Model S and Model X refresh. However, some of the most intriguing details came from his comments on Tesla’s charging technology.

Moravy revisited Tesla’s once-hyped robotic charger snake, which was showcased years ago before quietly fading from the spotlight. He also mentioned wireless charging, hinting at future developments in this area.

Death of the Charger Snake

When discussing the Charger Snake, Lars expressed strong opinions. The internal Tesla project never gained traction as engineers felt manual plugging at Superchargers was sufficient. The challenges faced in winter conditions also contributed to the decision to abandon the robotic charger concept.

However, with Tesla’s move towards full autonomy, the need for autonomous charging solutions becomes more apparent. Wireless charging could be the answer to seamless charging experiences, especially for future Robotaxi passengers.

Wireless Charging and V4 Superchargers

During the We, Robot autonomy event, Tesla showcased wireless charging capabilities with the Cybercab. This technology eliminates the need for complex robotic systems and allows for charging without human intervention.

Future Supercharger stations are likely to support both wired and wireless charging, offering convenience to users who can charge their vehicles while engaged in other activities. The integration of wireless charging in V4 Superchargers hints at Tesla’s forward-thinking approach to charging infrastructure.

As Tesla continues to expand its V4 Supercharger network, the inclusion of wireless charging capabilities will play a crucial role in advancing the Robotaxi network.