TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Mexico Superchargers

Discussion in 'Mexico & (Spanish-speaking) Latin America' started by Supercharged, Feb 26, 2015.

  1. gene

    gene Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2013
    Messages:
    2,172
    Location:
    Santa Barbara, CA
    @BlueShift
     
  2. MarcoRP

    MarcoRP @MontrealTesla

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2017
    Messages:
    4,846
    Location:
    Montréal
    It’s already been noted, btw
     
  3. gene

    gene Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2013
    Messages:
    2,172
    Location:
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Yes, I see that now. I should have checked first.
     
  4. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    Hey Bighorn, super interesting post which actually made me register.

    I do live down here, near a supercharger. And near a major airport with plenty of low cost carriers.

    Long story short:

    I don't drive anywhere in MX by car except to

    a) airport

    b) Bus terminal

    c) in town.

    d) to next towns nearby



    Reasons: Your trip report explains everything. Rampant corruption, extortion, lawlessness, sense of "roadblock culture". Mexico is nice, but no driver's place IMO.

    Toll roads: I hope you guys are aware that the costs are quite high.

    Would it be possible that you put together a google map of the service?
     
    • Like x 1
  5. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    service = tour.

    Sorry for that.
     
  6. Randy Spencer

    Randy Spencer Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2016
    Messages:
    3,101
    Location:
    Alameda, CA
    New supercharge map at Tesla.com shows a bunch more Superchargers coming. Looks like us California drivers won't have to drive to Texas (Scary) to get into Mexico. It also shows more in Baja, always wanted to do that 1000 mile drive, still not enough to drive there only on Superchargers.

    Sad to hear that Mexican Police still use fear and intimidation to get themselves income from unsuspecting tourists... When I was 7 we did Mexico city over the Christmas break and we got pulled over on a lonely highway one night. My dad refused to pay the cop directly so they took our entire family to jail. My 5 y.o. sister was FREAKIN' OUT. Finally, they let us go, must have realized we were not gonna pay.

    You would think in this day and age people would post on FB if they are getting violated and the cops would have their faces posted "Watch out for this bad guy". Perhaps that's just my Left Coast talking. People do need to eat, if the only job you can get is cop and the only way to get money in the job is to shake people down perhaps I could see the reasoning...

    -Randy
     
    • Like x 1
  7. Bighorn

    Bighorn Top Supercharger

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,708
    Location:
    Big Horn, Wyoming
    I’m not facile with google maps but you can see the superchargers here:
    supercharge.info
    I went from Laredo to Ramos Arizpe then
    Matehuala-SLP, San Luis de la Paz-GTO, San Juan del Rio-QRO, Temascalcingo-MEX, Atizapan de Zaragoza-EM, Silao-GUA, Aguascalientes-AGS. I skipped the two chargers around Mexico City after being stopped and had planned not to go to the coastal one due to state department warnings.

    I slept at superchargers at Ramos Arizpe, which was a 24 hour truck stop, coming and going and Temascalcingo, which had a lightning strike power outage that helped me explain to security why I lingered after eating there.

    I broke with my plan not to drive at night once in order to get to s SC I felt I could overnight at though I felt pretty safe on the toll roads. The big danger was poor visibility and occasional broken down or unlit vehicles. Wasn’t too concerned about banditos and heard later that they tend to be less malignant than the cops. I met a guy with a new 3 at the Laredo SC with family in Mexico and he said he wouldn’t drive it down there. I don’t know if a convoy would be safer or just draw unwanted attention.

    The first day between Laredo and Ramos Arizpe, I took a Tesla detour due to a crash on the toll road. I probably would have had a much better, false impression of conditions if I hadn’t been exposed to the local roads. Sat through a two hour crash closure the next day so as not to repeat that experience. Toll roads are expensive though absolutely worth it and I’m a major skinflint.

    I’d read of several folks who’ve driven for years and many thousand miles throughout Mexico without incident, so tried to discount knee jerk fear based on anecdotes. Not knowing Spanish was a pretty big disadvantage. I don’t know if there was signage that would have appropriately warmed me not to endeavor into city limits against local ordinances.

    Thanks for your input.
     
  8. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    If I had to drive from CA to somewhere near Mexico City, I would ALWAYS drive via TX.

    Reasons:

    a) only a small stretch of actual driving in Mexico

    b) way less tolls to pay

    c) no MX-highways, no MX-cops, etc.

    Mexican low cost carriers, do have very reasonable prices and up to:

    35 inch seat pitch (interjet)

    32 (Volaris)

    29 (viva aerobus)

    Best practice if you guys really want to save money and live around/near San Diego:

    Use CBX in San Diego, hop directly on the plane in Tijuana Airport.

    You'll pay prices for 2 pax which are less than the tolls alone to Mexico city by car.

    Regarding "taking the family on a road trip":

    My spanish is pretty well, in written form sometimes better than the majority of locals.

    Yet still, I wouldn't do it.
     
  9. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    Best practice Mexico city: Avoid driving there.

    If you have to go to Puebla:

    following route:

    Google Maps

    It's called "Arco Norte" and let's you bypass Mexico City. Heavy toll, but way worth it.




    Very, very brave to say the least.

    I'd always get a motel with secured parking.


    The main highways from/to Mexico City at night are not that bad, especially since the really long road traings (doble-semi-remolque) tend to to drive there with 110 kph/70 mph.


    Sometimes people who live in the states and are visibly Mexican tend to be treated even worse by cops than anyone else, especially if they drive a newer US-plated car.

    If it was on the stretch Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey: Don't repeat. That toll road is really worth it.

    I still don't get it why they are planning to build a supercharger in Salinas Hidalgo.

    I've been living down here for 12 years.

    What has changed?

    a) general road infrastructure has improved but still far behind anything a westener would call "appropriate". General sense of neglection still very present

    b) Traffic density: Up by 30 % min, in certain places up to 40-60 %.

    c) more newer compact cars on the road

    d) driver's incompetence: Same like before, feels worse due to more cars on the road

    e) urban freeways: Huge improvement, but always require attention when driving (potholes in the middle of nowhere etc).

    f) all in all, you get by way better with a laid back attitude in driving. And I really mean laid back. Red lights though are generally respected.

    g) signage: Useless, often misleading or plain wrong. Plan EVERY trip ahead with google maps/street view (works in MX, has saved me numerous times)

    h) in big cities: Use uber. Really a blast
     
    • Love x 1
  10. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    Important note regarding speed:

    the 110 kph/69 mph limit (which is the max on the majority of highways, others are 90 kph/56 mph) is usually not enforced but when, it can get seriously expensive:

    The official fine currently is 6,200 pesos, more than 300 USD and if you drive a foreign car: Fined on the spot.

    Problem: Most ATM have a 6,000 peso withdrawal limit/day due to safety concerns.

    Solution: drive 120 kph/75 mph on the tach and you're ok.

    Most cops won't bother.

    Difference to more developed countries: If you visibly brake/reduce speed when approaching them, they don't fine you but actually consider it a gesture of consideration. If you just blast by: The opposite. MX-subcontext....

    Above that (120 kph): Things can get ugly.
     
  11. Bighorn

    Bighorn Top Supercharger

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,708
    Location:
    Big Horn, Wyoming
    Good I didn’t get tagged going 135 MPH! There was a convoy of mostly US cars cruising over 100 returning to Laredo.

    Yes, I wasn’t yet clear on the choice between cuota and libre on the first day and ended up where you surmised. Driving through towns and arriving at turns on the nav that had no road to turn into. Town traffic was insane and I made the mistake of following a group of cars down the shoulder. Turned into a minefield. Losing internet access was scary not knowing if I was using up my charge on a dead end route. Having my phone for routing was a godsend. Thanks for all the insight! I won’t be using it any time soon though:)
     
  12. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    The Monterrey-Laredo leg is a special one.

    It's sometimes used for "special" transports.

    Cops there tend not to meddle (usually) and 90-110 MPH is the norm on that stretch. I still wouldn't do it.

    in town driving (especially small towns) can be beyond horrendous down here. Absolute no idea of the concept of traffic flow. Good if you have an EV though.
     
  13. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    There is no Supercharger in Baja/north of the Border from San Diego on the peninsula so far. I don't know what you are referring to. Destination chargers are plenty though.

    Not tourists, everyone on the street. Won't change ever. It's "culture".

    The problems start way above in hierarchy. Social media has however made it easier to document such violations.


    Yes. Calling TX scary and MX not when it comes to traffic/road conditions/safety (if that's what you were referring to) probably is.
     
  14. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    Guys, bad news for unlimited mobility:

    The following MX-superchargers have been updated to the following access hours:

    Monday-Sunday; 11.00 AM - 10.00 PM

    Atizapan de Zaragoza, EM Supercharger | Tesla

    Chilpancingo de los Bravo, GRO Supercharger | Tesla

    Cuernavaca, MOR Supercharger | Tesla

    San Francisco Ocotlán, PUE Supercharger | Tesla

    San Juan Del Río, QRO Supercharger | Tesla


    all the mentioned superchargers are located in malls

    IMO, major bummer and an indicator for catastrophic planning by Tesla Mexico.

    The idea of a supercharger is to have access 24/7, especially in emergency situations.
     
    • Informative x 2
  15. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    Guys, I need your opinion:

    If you had a Tesla down here (in the CDMX area) and Tesla retroactively rendered your vehicle partially useless (due to the "time" access restriction to the superchargers around Mexico City), would you sue?

    Reasons:

    a) there is no other fast-charging network in Mexico ex superchargers
    b) even fast home charging (above NEMA 14-50) is pretty much unavailabe
    c) road trips to certain destinations become undoable (and unplannable should you require recharges early morning till 11 AM or late night after 10 PM)

    Am I exaggerating or has Tesla Mexico just lost it's mind?
     
  16. Chuq

    Chuq Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2015
    Messages:
    3,116
    Location:
    Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
    Suing? How is anyone going to be better off as a result of that, apart from the bloodsucking lawyers?
     
    • Like x 1
  17. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    The objective would be of course: Either open the superchargers 24/7 or return the funds of the car.

    Is there actually some sort of other supercharger anywhere else in the world which is time restricted access wise?
     
  18. Bighorn

    Bighorn Top Supercharger

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,708
    Location:
    Big Horn, Wyoming
    The limited access seems to be the doing of the property owner. Tesla has little leverage there. As you know, night driving is not typically a smart idea. The 11am start seems excessively late, though if your charging is accomplished the night before, the first few hours of driving of the day can be accomplished before needing a supercharge.
     
  19. tecis

    tecis Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Gto, Mexico
    I think so, too. Which means that Tesla choose the wrong place for their Superchargers.

    Night time driving: Yes, understandable. But that would render your vehicle useless in any emergency situation which may involve nights.
     
  20. Bighorn

    Bighorn Top Supercharger

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,708
    Location:
    Big Horn, Wyoming
    Might it have been the price to pay for adequate security? I know I left one location at night because it looked like the guard was going to lock a gate at Matehuala. And this is still listed as a 24 hour site.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC