Alabama Superchargers (location speculation and discussion)

[1speed]

A permit was discovered for a second supercharger in the Birmingham area (Mountain Brook), and Montgomery looks like its about to get started.

UAB does have a number of Chargepoint L2 chargers.

Alabama should have made those charging stations require Tesla connectors.

 

[specialgreen]

CHARGING SITE REQUIREMENTS:​

The following are required of each of the charging sites to be chosen:​

1. Each charging site must be capable of charging at least two (2) EVs simultaneously with provisions for future expansions to charge four (4) vehicles simultaneously.
2. Each charging site should, at a minimum, be capable of charging a single EV at greater than 100kW with future provisions for expansion and power upgrades to include two additional (4 total) charging stations and/or upgrades to higher power (up to 350kW)

Cheapest compliant station design may be a pair of Chargepoint Express 250s. They share rectifiers, and can do 125kw shared between two chargers. Can be expanded to two pairs of CPE250s. But Chargepoints don't normally take credit cards.
I think Tritium has a 2-car charger, but don't believe it exceeds 100kw for a single car.
A Signet station like Electrify America would work if they added a Chademo connector to every dispenser.
This would actually be a boon for Telsa drivers with the Chademo adapter, because you can't depend on the single Chademo working at existing EA sites.

 

[LoudMusic]

I think the problem with Alabama Superchargers is "it's the south and the south don't care about EVs!". Arkansas is worse off It also just has to do with smaller population.


There are two being worked on though!

Supercharger - Mountain Brook, AL

It looks like there is a proposed 8 stall V3 Supercharger located at 1,000 Jemison Lane, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 or 33.486691, -86.772681 https://www.mtnbrook.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/villages_design_review_committee/meeting/packets/14124/vdr_packet_20210616.pdf @corywright can...

teslamotorsclub.com

Supercharger - Montgomery, AL

A Montgomery, AL supercharger has been promised for over a year on Tesla's website.....but rumor has it that it will be located in the back of a brand new "Z" gas station on AL-110 (chantilly parkway) that sits about 200 yards from the Hotel Classio (10095 Chantilly Parkway). The gas station has...

teslamotorsclub.com

Tesla's Supercharger site suggests they have a few more planned for the state.

I still argue that rather than having a few large sites they'd do well to have many smaller sites. The leasing and installation is probably the expensive part so that certainly plays into it, but having a larger variety of route options is a really big help.

 

[specialgreen]

having a few large sites they'd do well to have many smaller sites. The leasing and installation is probably the expensive part so that certainly plays into it, but having a larger variety of route options is a really big help.

From a Demand Charge perspective, a tiny 1-charger EVGo needs to pay full demand charge for its load (say, 50kw or 150kw). An 8-stall Supercharger is never going to see peak load on all 8 stalls at once, so its demand charge cost will be less (per charger) than eight 1-charger sites. Maybe something like half. But as Superchargers get even bigger, I'm not sure there is any benefit much more: per-pedestal load is probably similar at a busy 8-stall SC and a busy 16-stall SC.

 

[TexasTezla]

BTW - two of the chargers in Mobile, AL were also down on our way to FL. There's no way more people are going to purchase EV's in the south or just in general with the limited number of DC chargers around. What is everyone's thoughts?

Late to this party but I just went through Mobile supercharger and 2 were down. I wonder if they ever got them back up and running. The charging cables were tied in a loose knot to show they were not working. They were also quite dirty so it looked as though they hadn't been used in a while! Pity as there is a serious shortage of superchargers down south

 

[D-ATL]

The new Supercharger outside of Bham is a really nice addition. No longer do I have to go into the city just to charge. The Cottondale supercharger is also a great addition and good location. Any word on the supercharger in Huntsville?

 

[RCM11]

The Cottondale Supercharging station is never crowded and very conveniently located.

 

[1speed]

The new Supercharger outside of Bham is a really nice addition. No longer do I have to go into the city just to charge. The Cottondale supercharger is also a great addition and good location. Any word on the supercharger in Huntsville?

Construction has started. Close to an REI which is nice.

Supercharger - Huntsville, AL

Tesla should build dealer/service centers right on the state line, just outside of Alabama. Give Montgomery the finger. Build in Tallapoosa GA and Ardmore TN.

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[Ultron]

16 superchargers now at Buckees on I-10 east of Mobile bay.

 

[Avalon123]

My idea for a Cullman, AL supercharger:

I think the I-65 corridor between the Birmingham and Athens locations needs a supercharger. These two superchargers can be crowded, slower (V2), and too close together for those wishing to skip charging in Birmingham.

Cullman is an almost perfect for a supercharger installation! Here’s something I wrote up:

Along Primary Interstates: I-65
Along US Numbered Highways (<=5mi): US-31, US-278
Along State Numbered Highways (<=5mi): AL-69, AL-157
Split Superchargers: Birmingham, AL; Athens, AL; Huntsville, AL
Amenities (walking distance): Hampton Inn, Logan's Roadhouse, Puckett's Restaurant, Cracker Barrel, Shell gas station

# Travel Distance
## I-65/I-565
- Diversion from I-65: 0.1 miles
- Birmingham, AL (v2) - 51.3 miles
- Athens, AL (v2) - 41.8 miles
- Huntsville, AL (v3) - 47.9 miles

## US-31
- Diversion from US-31: 1.2 miles
- Birmingham, AL (v2) - 51.3 miles
- Athens, AL (v2) - 41.8 miles
- Huntsville, AL (v3) - 47.9 miles

## US-278
- Diversion from US-278: 2.8 miles
- Tupelo, MS (v2) - 121 miles
- Steele, AL (v2) - 56.8 miles

## AL-69
- Diversion from AL-69N: 5.0 miles
- Diversion from AL-69S: 11.1 miles

## AL-157
- Diversion from AL-157: 0.1 miles

I uploaded some images with simplified notes here:

https://imgur.com/a/fC2df4L

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. If you like my idea, please suggest this site to Tesla here: Suggest Superchargers | Tesla
If there is enough interest, we may be able to vote for this location in the future.

 

[1speed]

Agree Cullman would be a good. Gardendale would be good too along that route. I also think Troy, AL would be a good location as this is a common route to the beach.

 

[Avalon123]

Agree Cullman would be a good. Gardendale would be good too along that route. I also think Troy, AL would be a good location as this is a common route to the beach.

Gardendale is now on the Find Us map! Target opening Q2 2023. I still think Cullman would be a good spot, but this helps that corridor of I-65.

 

[Dirtman16]

Gardendale is now on the Find Us map! Target opening Q2 2023. I still think Cullman would be a good spot, but this helps that corridor of I-65.

Yes, this will be much better than the downtown charger. One south of town would be nice too, but there's an EA station in Alabaster if you can use the CCS adapter.

 

[1speed]

Hoover @ I-459 & I-65 (such as the Riverchase Galleria) seems like it would be a no brainer. I-459 and 280 (such as the Colonade) could use one as well.

 

[1speed]

Gardendale is now on the Find Us map! Target opening Q2 2023. I still think Cullman would be a good spot, but this helps that corridor of I-65.

This one may turn out to be Fultondale instead. Marco has found an address: 1334 Walker Chapel Rd

https://twitter.com/x/status/1608271510954819587

 

[Dirtman16]

This one may turn out to be Fultondale instead. Marco has found an address: 1334 Walker Chapel Rd

https://twitter.com/x/status/1608271510954819587

This is at the waffle house, though I could see it being at the adjacent Shell parking lot or Comfort Suites.

This is a great location. I used to stop here a lot when driving a gas vehicle. Several dining options and traditional convenience store.

 

[Avalon123]

Agree Cullman would be a good. Gardendale would be good too along that route. I also think Troy, AL would be a good location as this is a common route to the beach.

Cullman is now on the voting list. You can cast your vote here: Supercharger Voting | Tesla

 

[Dirtman16]

This is at the waffle house, though I could see it being at the adjacent Shell parking lot or Comfort Suites.

This is a great location. I used to stop here a lot when driving a gas vehicle. Several dining options and traditional convenience store.

Well, for better or worse, this wound up at the exit to the north. Still not a bad location, just a bit further off the interstate.

Supercharger - Gardendale, AL

Erichj on the supercharge.info forum posted: Saw a Facebook post reporting possible Supercharger construction at Gardendale, AL near 1009 Fulton Ave. no specific address given, just a pin drop on a map and later on another member of the Tesla Owners Club of Alabama posted a photo. I can't find...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[Chuq]

From the thread: Tesla, TSLA & the Investment World: the Perpetual Investors' Roundtable

Just saw 8 chargers (still plastic-wrapped) that look a day or two away from opening in my medium sized NE Georgia college town (home of the 2x defending football champs). The location is right next to the new REI and this addition doubles the number of Tesla stalls and charging spots. Very exciting as this location is very close to me and we are soon to be (Cybertruck pending) a two-Tesla household and only have a one-stall garage with one charger.

I appreciate a good puzzle @Creekstalker but I can't work out this one

Only in-progress site in north-east Georgia is Gainesville (with a permit marker), but it could quite easily be somewhere else.

The comment suggests it's an expansion to an existing 8 stall site but the only place that could be is Madison? Nothing in it's dedicated thread, or on Plugshare photos.

 

[Bet TSLA]

From the thread: Tesla, TSLA & the Investment World: the Perpetual Investors' Roundtable



I appreciate a good puzzle @Creekstalker but I can't work out this one

Only in-progress site in north-east Georgia is Gainesville (with a permit marker), but it could quite easily be somewhere else.

The comment suggests it's an expansion to an existing 8 stall site but the only place that could be is Madison? Nothing in it's dedicated thread, or on Plugshare photos.

My best guess is it's a new location by the REI in Athens, GA. Fits with the college town and the football, and it's sort of northish. Not sure why you're posting in the Alabama thread though.

@Big Earl