Tesla introduces Supercharger congestion fees here

Tesla has rolled out a new congestion fee system at certain Supercharger locations. It replaces the traditional idle fee in a bid to improve charger availability during peak periods.

The congestion fee applies when the Supercharger site is busy, and/or the connected vehicle’s battery has surpassed an 80 per cent state of charge. Tesla says the change is designed to reduce queue times and ensure that all users have fair access to its charging infrastructure.

Unlike idle fees which are triggered when a vehicle remains plugged in after charging ends, congestion fees can begin accruing even while charging is in progress. But that only occurs if the battery level is deemed high enough and the station is experiencing heavy demand.

Tesla owners are advised to check their vehicle touchscreen for the specific congestion charge thresholds and fee rates applicable at individual Superchargers. If a congestion charge comes up on the screen, the owner has a few minutes’ grace to unplug and head off before being charged.

The move reflects broader pressure on charging networks as EV adoption increases. It is also in line with industry efforts to keep high-speed chargers turning over quickly during busy periods. On the Tesla website the congestion fee for New Zealand is set at a dollar a minute.