Maryland Superchargers

[JohnQ]

<complaint>I cannot understand why Laurel, MD or a nearby location doesn't have a higher priority for a supercharger site. We were just down in DC and, considering that this is a wealthy and powerful area, the Supercharging options are really pretty awful IMHO. The Bethesda one is really not impressive at all and there really aren't any nearby alternatives. At a minimum the new Tyson's Corner service center should have one.</complaint> :cursing:

Why do you think that area needs a supercharger? Bethesda is admittedly miserable as it's always taken by a local unless late at night or early morning, but you have virtually all major points covered with Strasburg being covered. Newark to the East Coast, Woodbridge headed south, Hagerstown headed NW, and of course Strasburg to the W. If you have destination charging then the beach is covered or a stop in Salisbury.

I'm not against putting one in, the more the better, but DC is covered pretty well.

 

[RDoc]

Why do you think that area needs a supercharger? Bethesda is admittedly miserable as it's always taken by a local unless late at night or early morning, but you have virtually all major points covered with Strasburg being covered. Newark to the East Coast, Woodbridge headed south, Hagerstown headed NW, and of course Strasburg to the W. If you have destination charging then the beach is covered or a stop in Salisbury.

I'm not against putting one in, the more the better, but DC is covered pretty well.

If you're on your way past DC, Woodbridge to Newark is a bit far, but not terrible, however the problem we had, and I suspect we're not alone, is making a round trip with DC as the stopover. Assuming N. Bethesda isn't really usable, if you're going to DC from the North and returning, you have to go down to Woodbridge to recharge since it's too far to make a round trip Newark to DC if you do any local driving. Given the traffic a lot of the time near DC, it's a real hardship to go that far South, then back around DC to go back North.

The whole Baltimore/DC area is very heavily traveled with a lot of tourism and business travel where DC is the destination so I think round trips are pretty common.

 

[andrewket]

We need an supercharger on the Northeast side at 495 and 95, and another with 8 stalls near 495/270.

 

[paulkva]

If you're on your way past DC, Woodbridge to Newark is a bit far, but not terrible, however the problem we had, and I suspect we're not alone, is making a round trip with DC as the stopover. Assuming N. Bethesda isn't really usable, if you're going to DC from the North and returning, you have to go down to Woodbridge to recharge since it's too far to make a round trip Newark to DC if you do any local driving. Given the traffic a lot of the time near DC, it's a real hardship to go that far South, then back around DC to go back North.

The whole Baltimore/DC area is very heavily traveled with a lot of tourism and business travel where DC is the destination so I think round trips are pretty common.

We need an Super charger on the Northeast side at 495 and 95, and another with 8 stalls near 495/270.

+1 to both: Woodbridge isn't practical for a trip from the north to DC, unless you're specifically visiting the suburbs nearby. And it would be great to see better supercharger coverage closer to (or even inside!) the beltway in each direction (e.g. 66W, 267W, 270N, 95N, 50E). Plus, I agree that 95 between DC and Baltimore should be the highest priority of those.

But I have two additional thoughts:
1. If DC is your destination, you have a decent number of destination charging options now (according to PlugShare), including several CHAdeMO stations that aren't at Nissan dealers, and countless L2 stations where you can top off during a meal or overnight. Depends on your specific destination within the DC area, and local driving needs, of course.
2. I'd worry that superchargers near/inside the beltway would be abused by locals and/or ICEd pretty frequently, though I have to imagine it's possible to find in-town locations for which neither would be a a issue.

 

[scaesare]

Here's a photo of the Supercharger inside the Tysons service center. I'm pretty sure it is not for public use.

View attachment 83779

Lanny

I asked about it when I dropped by a week or so ago... it's indeed not publicly available.

 

[Lanny]

We need an Super charger on the Northeast side at 495 and 95, and another with 8 stalls near 495/270.

As of a month ago, Towne Centre at Laurel was said to be the planned location for the dot between DC and Baltimore. It's not super convenient to I-95 but Savage Mill got nixed and there are not that many viable spots in the Laurel area close to an I-95 exit.

Lanny

 

[MsElectric]

We need an Super charger on the Northeast side at 495 and 95, and another with 8 stalls near 495/270.

Also there is virtually nothing west of DC along I66 towards Front Royal and I81.

 

[andrewket]

Also there is virtually nothing west of DC along I66 towards Front Royal and I81.

Agree.. Something near skyline drive would be nice.

 

[republic]

+1 to both: Woodbridge isn't practical for a trip from the north to DC, unless you're specifically visiting the suburbs nearby. And it would be great to see better supercharger coverage closer to (or even inside!) the beltway in each direction (e.g. 66W, 267W, 270N, 95N, 50E). Plus, I agree that 95 between DC and Baltimore should be the highest priority of those.

But I have two additional thoughts:
1. If DC is your destination, you have a decent number of destination charging options now (according to PlugShare), including several CHAdeMO stations that aren't at Nissan dealers, and countless L2 stations where you can top off during a meal or overnight. Depends on your specific destination within the DC area, and local driving needs, of course.
2. I'd worry that superchargers near/inside the beltway would be abused by locals and/or ICEd pretty frequently, though I have to imagine it's possible to find in-town locations for which neither would be a a issue.

I use EVGo stations frequently and will say that they're underwhelming. They're single stall stations with frequent failures and a 30-minute timer that forces you to restart charging each time it runs out. If someone's already plugged in... good luck. :/

 

[paulkva]

Agree.. Something near skyline drive would be nice.

Strasburg seems pretty good for Skyline Drive travelers coming from DC, and the specific location was found pretty recently:
Supercharger - Strasburg, VA

 

[paulkva]

I use EVGo stations frequently and will say that they're underwhelming. They're single stall stations with frequent failures and a 30-minute timer that forces you to restart charging each time it runs out. If someone's already plugged in... good luck. :/

True that nothing beats a supercharger, and as I said earlier I'd still like to see more close to or in DC. But my point is, with a bit of planning / extra charging in Newark, and perhaps a little topping off in DC, a round-trip shouldn't be too tough even without another supercharger in the immediate DC area.

 

[andrewket]

Strasburg seems pretty good for Skyline Drive travelers coming from DC, and the specific location was found pretty recently:
Supercharger - Strasburg, VA

You're right. Moving this part of the convo to that thread.

 

[chickensevil]

Your "inside the beltway" might be happening down the road a bit (as in off into the future) as if you look at the future maps there is a dot just south of DC, which looks to be either in Alexandria, VA or just over into MD (I am wondering if it will be going in at either the Gaylord Hotel or at that Casino being built either would be an interesting location for it...)

 

[jdo]

The Harbor (Gaylord/Casino) area would be okay as a "destination" charge I guess, but as a general location for those traveling long-distance . . . ugh.

I think Laurel or thereabouts would be better for general purpose use, especially for those coming from the North. Alexandria or anywhere in Virginia inside the beltway will provide only marginal additional coverage to Woodbridge.

The 2015 pin does look like its south of DC, but I don't think anyone gets rich betting on Tesla's maps.

 

[JST]

Your "inside the beltway" might be happening down the road a bit (as in off into the future) as if you look at the future maps there is a dot just south of DC, which looks to be either in Alexandria, VA or just over into MD (I am wondering if it will be going in at either the Gaylord Hotel or at that Casino being built either would be an interesting location for it...)

There's a big outlet mall there, too, which would probably be a better location than the Gaylord proper.

 

[republic]

A charger at 50/495 makes more sense than one at National Harbor. My two cents.

 

[CHRGIT]

Any updates on where Tesla will open their 4 permissible stores in Maryland? Hopefully they will add Supercharger capabilities. In addition to the one in Bethesda, my guess would be the Towne Center Shopping centers in Laurel (already mentioned) and Annapolis.

 

[CatB]

I am hoping that Hamptons pop-up store shows up at Hunt Valley next - the test drives there seem to sell out, and brand recognition in that area has gone up a lot in the last two years - along with ownership
My parents live in a tiny town in a farming area in Baltimore County - there are actually two other white Model S's within 5 miles of them now - amazing...

 

[Lanny]

No sign of construction activity at Towne Centre at Laurel. I was there today thinking there might be preparations for one of the crews that are finishing up in Virginia to head there next.

 

[CHRGIT]

I know it is wishful thinking, but the 2016 map looks like the supercharger has moved across the bay bridge to Annapolis.