Tesla's 500 kW Supercharger Is Here — Is Australia Next?
Tesla's folding 500 kW Supercharger has landed outside the US for the first time. Here's what faster charging could mean for Aussie novated lease EV drivers.
Tesla has deployed its first 500 kW 'folding' Superchargers outside the United States, with the initial rollout hitting a major charging hub in Norway — according to reporting by The Driven [Source 1]. That's roughly double the output of Tesla's current V3 Superchargers, which top out around 250 kW. The new hardware also uses a folding cable design aimed at making the plug easier to handle.
Norway is a logical first market — it has one of the highest EV ownership rates in the world. But the question Australians should be asking is: how far behind are we, and does it change the calculus on leasing a Tesla right now?
What this means for novated lease customers
If you're weighing up a Tesla on a novated lease, charging speed is usually one of the practical concerns that comes up — particularly for anyone doing longer regional drives. The arrival of 500 kW hardware in Europe signals that Tesla is actively rolling this generation out globally, not keeping it US-exclusive.
For the novated lease decision itself, the core numbers haven't changed: eligible battery electric vehicles (BEVs) under the luxury car tax threshold remain exempt from fringe benefits tax under the current FBT exemption for low-emission vehicles. What is shifting is the real-world usability argument for EVs — faster public charging reduces the 'range anxiety' objection that sometimes holds employees back from choosing an EV on salary packaging.
Faster charging doesn't change your FBT position, but it does change the ownership experience. If you've been sitting on the fence about a Tesla specifically because of charging stops on road trips, this is a relevant data point — even if Australian rollout timing remains unconfirmed.
Common questions
Will Australia get Tesla's 500 kW Superchargers?
Tesla hasn't announced an Australian rollout date. The Norway deployment is the first outside the US, so global expansion is underway — but specific market timelines haven't been confirmed publicly.
Does charging speed affect how my novated lease works?
No. Your novated lease structure, FBT exemption eligibility, and salary packaging arrangements are determined by the vehicle type and price, not its charging speed. Charging speed is purely a practical ownership consideration.
Is a Tesla still FBT-exempt under a novated lease in 2025–26?
Eligible BEVs — including Tesla models — that sit below the luxury car tax threshold remain exempt from FBT under the current legislation. You should confirm your specific vehicle's eligibility with your employer or a licensed novated lease provider before committing.
What does 'folding' Supercharger mean?
The folding design refers to the cable mechanism — it retracts or folds to make plugging in easier and reduce cable clutter at busy charging hubs. It's a hardware usability upgrade, not a different charging standard.
Should I wait for 500 kW Superchargers before getting a Tesla on a novated lease?
That's a personal call, but the FBT exemption is current policy — not a permanent guarantee. Waiting on infrastructure upgrades that have no confirmed Australian date while a tax benefit exists is a trade-off worth thinking through carefully.