Tesla Supercharger V3 gives 1600km range in an hour

Tesla has launched a new third-generation version of its Supercharger that it claims will slash charging times for all its models, delivering up to 1000 miles (1600km) per hour.

Said to be capable of providing its latest Model 3 sedan with a 140km range after just 5 minutes charging, the Tesla V3 Supercharger is claimed to be capable of recharging up to 250kW per car.

Ensuring the high charge rate, the new 1MW power cabinet works with a new On-Route Battery Charging system that heats the batteries of the Model 3 when on the way to the Supercharger to ensure they're at the optimal temperature on arrival.

Thanks to the pre-heat facility, Tesla claims the typical V3 Supercharger's charging time will fall to just 15 minutes.

Initially, the V3 Superchargers will only be available to Model 3 and the forthcoming Model Y owners before software upgrades will be offered to Model S and Model X customers.

Tesla said the first beta V3 chargers are operating in California near Tesla's HQ, and will soon be rolled out in the US in April before being introduced in Europe and Asia in Q4 of 2019.

The V3 Superchargers will join the incredible 12,000 Supercharger sites in North America that are already in operation.

Tesla has already announced that before the end of 2019, 99 per cent of European customers will have access to a nearby Supercharger.

In January in Australia, Tesla increased the charging price using one of its Superchargers by 20 per cent, citing a rise in the cost of electricity and operational costs.

So far the US car-maker has 26 Supercharger sites dotted across Australia with plans claimed to open new locations weekly as the car-maker gears up for the launch of the Model 3 Down Under that's claimed to be finally available around the middle of 2019.