Automotive

Tesla to dramatically expand Supercharger network

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Supercharger networks are strategically located near diners, cafes, malls, etc. so drivers can relax while the system recharges the Model S for another 200 mile (320 km) run
Supercharger networks are strategically located near diners, cafes, malls, etc. so drivers can relax while the system recharges the Model S for another 200 mile (320 km) run
Unlike traditional systems running 7–10 kW, Tesla Supercharger network uses120 kW system which doubles charging time and range
Tesla claims its Supercharger networks will cover 98 percent of the US and Canada by 2015, whereas the map shows not all of Canada or all US states will receive equal coverage
Tesla claims the Supercharger network expansion will make road trips across the USA possible by the end of 2013
By 2014 Tesla claims eighty percent of the US and Canada will have access to Supercharger networks
Tesla is currently working on a quicker charging system which will reduce charge times from 30 minutes to 20 via the Supercharger system
Tesla currently has only 9 Supercharger stations in California, Connecticut and Delware
Tesla Model S sales figures for the first quarter of 2013 surpassed Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and BMW 7-series
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Tesla Motors, makers of fine electric performance vehicles, recently surprised the mainstream with news its Model S performance sedan had surpassed Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and BMW 7-series in sales for the first quarter in the US. For a company that only released the Model S last June, news of this exponential interest was not only surprising but worked to further validate consumer interest in a fully electric vehicle. On top of the surprising sales figures, media sources like Consumer Reports proclaimed Tesla's Model S to be one of the "best cars they'd ever tested." With positive feedback and increasing sales of the Model S, Tesla has identified an expansion of its Supercharger networks as a critical next step.

Tesla's dedicated Supercharger networks, launched late in 2012, are already a part of the EV landscape in California, New York and Delaware, but the company has plans to increase the network not only on the east and west coast but across the US and into the great frozen land of moose and beaver, Canada.

Current coverage shows eight stations strategically located in theses regions, but by summer Tesla plans to increase this figure to 27. By September of this year they anticipate placement of Supercharger networks in most key metropolitan areas. Tesla is touting coast-to-coast capabilities by the time the snow falls in New York City this year. Tesla claims that by 2014 they will have secured networks in 80 percent of both the US and Canada, with this figure increasing to 98 percent by 2015.

It should however be noted that Tesla's figure of 98-percent coverage appears to be somewhat ambiguous given the coverage indicated for Canada on their map, shown below. The percentage appears to be land area within range of a Supercharger station. It appears Tesla owners in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia will have to rely on the prerequisite orange Canadian Tire extension cords to provide juice from their place of residence.

Tesla's Supercharger network, which runs 120 kW of power direct to the Model S, is unlike regular EV charging systems which can only provide outputs from 7 kW to 10 kW, with ranges of 10 to 15 miles (16 to 26 km) on a 30-minute charge. But with Tesla's 120 kW Supercharger networks, Model S owners can stop over at strategically located stations near diners, cafes or malls, grab a coffee, donut or three, and in 30 minutes have enough charge to run another 200 miles (320 km).

The networks as they exist today are set up on key freeways between select metropolitan centers like Washington, DC to New York City, or Los Angeles to San Francisco. This new-found freedom offered by an expanded network should not only enhance already impressive sales figures but help convert petrol power mentalities over to the way of the Elon and reduce reluctance towards future EV projects.

Also in the works, Tesla is working on improving its existing Supercharger technology, to reduce Model S charging times from 30 minutes down to 20. This quicker charge will still provide drivers the same range as the existing system just in a shorter charge cycle. Tesla anticipates to roll out the new system by the time summer hits North America.

Visit Tesla's progression map to see which regions and where their Supercharging networks will expand out to over the coming years.

Catch Elon Musk discussing Tesla's Supercharger network, and its expansion plans, in the YouTube clip below.

Source: Tesla Motors

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13 comments
Stephen N Russell
Love 2 rent Teslas if ever possible or made some for the Rental market alone.
Retoricalman
Is there any hope of an expansion to Europe?
Lewis M. Dickens III
Interesting that no charging stations Near or in Detroit.
That's hilarious.
But it is also interesting that Elon has hired a very talented designer, I forgot his name for the moment, but he is extremely good.
I witnessed his extreme excitement and enthusiasm over meeting Bob Lutz at the NAIAS.
Bob almost pulled it off but for the idiocy of Ed Whittacre.
The original Converj was a tad better being designed at the Vauxhall studios in England. But now it has been Hamaricanized sad to say.
Richard Chesher
So why are there no actual figures on numbers of cars sold or numbers of EV expected to be rolling off the production line? Are we talking 10 cars or 10000 cars or 100000 cars?
warren52nz
FREE charging??? Forever??? That's pretty impressive! I wonder how that fits into the business model. This project must have some very high level backers.
Derek Howe
Richard Chesher - Tesla is planning on making 20,000 to 25,000 Model S's in 2013.
Riaanh
I am wondering about the amount of surface area needed for the solar panels. If these stations are getting real busy, it will need a lot of power!
Steve
re: warren52nz - The Free Super-Charging for the life of the car is not actually a huge loss leader for Tesla Motors. The free supercharging is only available to those buyers who chose a $2K upgrade for the internal charging hardware (let's assume there is some significant profit margin (~50%) in that upgrade)
Consider the following scenario: $0.12 / kWhr (current average retail rates in the US), 120kW charger (assume no losses) 400 miles per hour of charging on the SC network, 10,000 miles (average US leased car allowance) driven per year of which 25% - 35% are driven after SC network charging (most drivers will likely plug in at home overnight and take advantage of off-peak rates) and 10 years max life of car ownership (I don't know if used cars will be afforded the same free charging terms)
Total charging hours required: 250 hours to drive 100,000 miles Total charging on SC network: 75 hours (assume 30% of total) Total cost at retail rates: $1,080 USD (not adjusted for inflation)
Obviously the result is rather sensitive to the assumptions but even if 100% of driving was based on SC network charging, the total cost would be on the order of $3,600 less the profit on the original $2K package that gives you the free access to the SC network. In reality, I believe Elon Musk is rather intelligent and savy and I believe he is surrounded by other mental rock stars so I am willing to bet that he has done the math and considers the "free" SC network charging is a good investment.
livin_the_dream
what I want to know is, when will the self driving version be available that I book online to collect me from home and take me to my destination then go off to recharge itself. Gone are the days of Taxi drivers!
DaveBG
Great news!