It looks like all the EA charger rates are the same in the east coast region. $0.43/kwh for non member, $0.31/kwh for members ($4 monthly fee). Most superchargers were $.40/kwh or less.
It doesn't make sense to spend $300 plus for the adapter to go through the hassle for that rate.
As others have pointed out.. it's not just about price. Its also gives me a ton more charging options. There are almost as many CCS charging stations in North America.. as there are Superchargers. So this adapter is basically doubling the number of places you are able to DC fast charge a Tesla.
More charging options.. mean these CCS chargers could be more convenient and/or redundant to Superchargers.
If I had to list the reasons why I paid $300 for the CCS adapter it would be:
- Ability to DC fast charge outside of Supercharger network
- Cheaper charging rates on occasion
- Free charging sessions using my wife's EA account with ID.4 charging rates ($0.00 per kWh)
- Access to CCS chargers that are closer than Superchargers
- Using CCS chargers when there is a waiting line for Superchargers on busy weekends & commuting hours.
- Using CCS chargers when V2 Superchargers are being shared
- Using CCS chargers at more convenient locations than Superchargers
- Using free CCS chargers on some holiday weekends (EA chargers were free from Dec 23 to Jan 3rd). Some CCS chargers are always free and located in unique locations (most large car dealerships now have free 20-50kW CCS chargers onsite)
- It's freaking cool!!
So for example "Using CCS chargers at more convenient locations than Superchargers". Most EA chargers around me are located in shopping centers, pretty much by a Walmart. Whereas Superchargers are located by gas stations, usually WaWa. If I want to completely fill my battery (10 to 80%.. or even 5-100%).. I would MUCH rather stop by a Walmart to charge up for 30mins to an hour.. than sit in a gas station parking lot. I did this exactly two weekends ago driving my wife's ID.4 up to NJ/NYC area. Needed to fill the battery completely for the drive back to DC.. and I was so happy that I could do that while shopping in Walmart for things I needed to buy anyways.. versus sitting at a rest stop on the NJ turnpike.
I'm also not pointing the finger at anyone in particular. But as expensive as Tesla's currently are.. spending $300 to literally double the amount DC fast chargers that can quickly fill the battery.. is basically a drop in the bucket compared to the actual price paid for the vehicle.
Don't even get me started on how much money people spend on other frivolous things like PPF, different color wraps, ceramic coatings, tint, spoilers, fake carbon fiber bits, vinyl stickers, colored LED lights, dash & pedal covers, seat coverings, delete kits, wheels, tires, etc. And of course FSD.. which in my opinion is the biggest gimmick of them all.
It's the same reason why I went with the Tesla wall charger + 60A breaker. Instead of going the cheap route, which is installing a NEMA 14-50R outlet + 50A breaker + using the previously free mobile connector + 50A adapter. I always desire the ability to charge my car (specifically as fast as possible) whenever I want or need it. Fast & convenient charging.. is by far the most important "accessory" I can ever purchase for my EV.
It's the only purchase that is absolutely guaranteed to save me time/money/effort/frustration at some point during the ownership of the vehicle. I've only had my Tesla for about 14 months now, but I have driven it over 18K miles. And I can distinctly remember quite a few occasions where I would have absolutely loved the option to DC fast charge somewhere else.. because going to the closest Supercharger was either inconvenient or stressful.
