I am aware of a demo car that has an unreleased software version that has Chademo support. It is for testing ONLY, so while it’s being worked on, there is no known timeline for its official release.
Yes, I believe that. I cannot directly confirm it, but I would be surprised were it not the case. Most importantly, almost nobody seems to realize that Tesla is a member of the CHAdeMO Association and that CHAdeMO adapters are standard equipment on Model S and X delivered to Japan.
Members – Chademo Association
Since Model 3 deliveries have just begun to accelerate it is inevitable that Model 3 will support it, and also IMHO, that it will be a software update just as it was originally for Model S.
Further, the delay just might be related to this:
CHAdeMO high-power vehicle/charger test event in Europe finishes with success
Tesla is quite likely to want the initial CHAdeMO adapter for Model 3 to be suitable for higher power stations than those which existed back when the Model S adapter was first issued. Maybe the adapter itself can be software upgradable, but it might require a new adapter. Either way I wager the delay is related to upgrade of CHAdeMO charging speeds that Tesla wants to permit, especially for Japan, Germany, Norway and other Europe where higher speed CHAdeMO stations and vehicles that need them are soon to be widely deployed. Both Canada and the US will be seeing that too. Thus Model 3 CHAdeMO delays for the upgraded capacity which will later be retrofitted for Models S and X.
Of course I am inferring this from, above all, Japan, but also including Germany (>600 CHAdeMO stations) and Norway (>800 CHAdeMO stations) both being a multiple of Supercharger locations. Adding several other countries in which CHAdeMO is well established makes Tesla necessarily attentive to the topic.
So, soon, whatever that is.
Probably of equal interest is when CCS Fast adapters (not historically permitted by CharIN) will come. Tesla is also a member of CharIN, so supporting that standard for EU and NA will certainly happen within the next year or two, when CCS-standard BEVs begin to appear in high volumes.
All that does not help us RIGHT NOW!
Anyway I am keeping my Model S CHAdeMO adapter in hopes that it will prove to be useful soon with Model 3.