Electric vehicle charging network Water has opened its 350 kW ultra-fast chargers at highway service areas to Tesla vehicles. The company said that from May 7 Tesla owners can use ultra-fast charging infrastructure at Water’s highway service areas nationwide using a genuine Tesla DC Combo (CCS Combo 1) adapter.

Previously, Tesla vehicles could use only Water’s NACS and DC Combo-compatible 200 kW fast chargers. These compatible chargers are installed at 69 units across 46 service areas nationwide, including Gimhae Geumgwan Gaya Service Area (toward Gijang and Changwon), Jangyu Service Area and Jinyeong Service Area.

Water opened access within a range confirmed as safe after technical verification, including introducing a vehicle identifier-based real-time monitoring system, accumulating NACS connector operating data and conducting its own measured tests. A Water official said, "The combination of Tesla vehicles and 350 kW ultra-fast chargers has been an area requiring a cautious approach, considering factors such as adapter certification specifications and the charger communication environment." The official added, "As we have carried out sufficient prior verification, we will gradually expand an environment that owners can use with greater peace of mind."

Water will also provide guidance aimed at improving charging stability for Tesla owners. It plans to add messages on the Water app and at charging sites, including guidance to use a genuine DC Combo adapter and to check for foreign substances inside the connector before charging. If an abnormality occurs during charging, the Water customer center will prioritise 24-hour consultation and on-site response, then provide guidance according to procedures to identify the cause. Water’s 350 kW chargers can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 18 minutes for a compact electric SUV with an 84 kWh battery capacity.

Water was selected last year as the operator for the Area 1 section of the Korea Expressway Corporation’s highway service area EV charging station construction project for the second consecutive year and is building an additional 122 chargers at 23 service areas. Once new openings are completed in the second half, highway service area charging infrastructure will expand to 73 locations and 396 units, up about 45 percent from the previous year.

Water is also reviewing the additional introduction of 400 kW-class high-output chargers in the future. Water signed a business agreement with the Korea Expressway Corporation in September 2024 and became the first domestic charging operator to introduce NACS and DC Combo-compatible 200 kW fast chargers at highway service areas.

Daewon Yoo (유대원), head of Bright Energy Partners' EV charging business division (Water), said, "Water’s direction is consistently to create an environment where any electric vehicle driver can conveniently charge anywhere." Yoo added, "We plan to further expand open infrastructure in the highway ultra-fast charging area regardless of vehicle model and standard."