Tesla’s faster chargers + $17k model rumor
Tesla’s new folding Supercharger V4s push 500 kW nominally — and can scale up to 1.2 MW for Semis — with a design Tesla says enables 2x faster deployment at roughly 20% lower cost (x.com). Separately, a hot rumor opened pre‑orders for a $16,990 Tesla 'Model 2' compact — the chatter paints it as a potential mass‑market game‑changer if real (x.com).
Tesla’s first fully realized V4 Supercharger site — with V4 cabinets and matching V4 pedestals powering eight stalls — went live on Sept. 29, 2025 at 2545 El Camino Real in Redwood City, California. (evchargingstations.com) Before Redwood City, Tesla had been installing V4-style pedestals while leaving older V3 switch cabinets in place, a hybrid rollout that limited peak output until the new V4 cabinets were fully commissioned. (evsgallery.com) Reporting and technical writeups describe the V4 cabinet as a higher‑voltage, modular architecture that uses multiple power‑electronics trays and delivers notably higher power density and two charging stalls per cabinet, according to industry coverage and vendor analysis. (cleantrucking.com) (nextbigfuture.com) Tesla’s new “folding” V4 shipping units were reported to be an engineering change that increases units per delivery truck by roughly a third, a logistics tweak that media outlets said will reduce time and handling at job sites. (teslarati.com) The $16,990 “Model 2” pre‑order chatter referenced on social channels is originating from enthusiast and community posts and an array of YouTube videos and niche sites — there has been no matching confirmation or ordering page published by Tesla. (youtube.com) (elonbuzz.com) Tesla has historically described the next‑gen mass‑market program as a roughly $25,000 target and used internal codenames such as “Redwood,” while Reuters reporting in June 2025 said some senior executives were alarmed after Elon Musk publicly denied a prior report that the $25,000 project had been shelved. (evworld.com) (finance.yahoo.com) Tesla’s official ordering channels remain its corporate website and stores, and company support pages list those as the place to place or verify vehicle orders; no Tesla support page lists a $16,990 Model 2 pre‑order as of published company materials. (tesla.com)
