North Dakota Superchargers (location speculation, discussion)

[PLUS EV]

I see a route from Custer to spearfish up hyway 385. Is that a nice drive, or is there a nicer or more scenic one to take (in an S90D)? I think a single charge from 100% will get me there.

It's a nice drive!

You can also check out Mount Rushmore and/or Crazy Horse if large rock carvings interest you. And Deadwood is a funky old west cum casino town that is also on your path.

Wind Cave National Park would be pushing your range (assuming Custer SC isn't open yet and you intend to only charge both ways in Spearfish), but it's a pretty cool spot as well. If you can't do Wind Cave, maybe do a drive through of Badlands NP on your way west. I'm assuming since you're from Michigan you will be travelling I-90 through South Dakota.

 

[Utahken]

It's a nice drive!

You can also check out Mount Rushmore and/or Crazy Horse if large rock carvings interest you. And Deadwood is a funky old west cum casino town that is also on your path.

Wind Cave National Park would be pushing your range (assuming Custer SC isn't open yet and you intend to only charge both ways in Spearfish), but it's a pretty cool spot as well. If you can't do Wind Cave, maybe do a drive through of Badlands NP on your way west. I'm assuming since you're from Michigan you will be travelling I-90 through South Dakota.

Yep, I'm from Michigan. I' ve stayed at Custer state park several times and the needles highway, and of course mount Rushmore, and hiked to Harnies Peak, but never traveled in an EV. I'm heading toward Vancouver and wanted to relive some old memories of Devil's tower on the way.

 

[cpa]

Now that the Peace Garden State is on Tesla's radar for Superchargers, I have always wanted to visit the Reagan missile silo site in Cooperstown. I hope to be able to make this trek in '19 or '20.

Have any of you visited this National Landmark, and what can you tell me about it (besides what they share on the web)?

Thank you.

BTW, the Supremes will be hearing oral arguments on April 17 to overturn Quill v. North Dakota. That was a landmark case whereby your state tried to collect sales tax on mail order purchases and was told to go pound sand.

 

[lightfoot3b]

I see a route from Custer to spearfish up hyway 385. Is that a nice drive, or is there a nicer or more scenic one to take (in an S90D)? I think a single charge from 100% will get me there.

Yes, 385. As others said, checkout Deadwood for fun. Also Mammoth Hot Springs has a great enclosed dig site where there was a massive hot spring that is home to a decades long excavation for fossils that you can walk around on platforms. I really enjoyed the tour there. Plus all the other stuff people are suggesting.

 

[VIKING26]

Details on the Fargo SC from someone involved in the project, only 6 SCs (I thought 8 was the minimum) also 4 Lvl 2 chargers next to the SCs. No info on timing. Since construction season is in full swing I'm hoping work will begin soon.

 

[PLUS EV]

There were many 4-stall superchargers in the past. Many of them are still around, while some have been expanded.

In the last year or so, all new supercharger constructions have been 8 or more stalls in the US. They still make smaller ones outside of the US. For example, I've seen 4 stalls in New Zealand and 6 stalls in Canada. Maybe they are considering ND to be a part of Canada

In all seriousness, 6 is probably enough for that part of the country. Shouldn't be too much crowding until the next eclipse passes through the area

 

[evp]

There were many 4-stall superchargers in the past. Many of them are still around, while some have been expanded.

In the last year or so, all new supercharger constructions have been 8 or more stalls in the US. They still make smaller ones outside of the US. For example, I've seen 4 stalls in New Zealand and 6 stalls in Canada. Maybe they are considering ND to be a part of Canada

In all seriousness, 6 is probably enough for that part of the country. Shouldn't be too much crowding until the next eclipse passes through the area

Yeah, Lusk WY and Cheyenne WY are two examples of 4-station SCs that have not been upgraded. Your comment on eclipses struck a nerve: Here's the Cheyenne SC the evening after the Great American Eclipse -- 4 stalls full, three waiting. Of course, those of us waiting were Tesla owners and eclipse chasers, so we had plenty to talk about.

 

[ReddyLeaf]

Details on the Fargo SC from someone involved in the project, only 6 SCs (I thought 8 was the minimum) also 4 Lvl 2 chargers next to the SCs. No info on timing. Since construction season is in full swing I'm hoping work will begin soon.

Hmmm, I don't think that 6 SC will be enough, especially since the location is on two interstates and the major route between MSP and Winnipeg. We're already seeing major Fri/Sat/Sun filling at the 5-station Ellensburg, WA SC (first one east of Seattle). I would expect similar traffic in the mid-west by 2020. However, I do appreciate the four L2 stations (especially if they are J1772 for all EVs). Personally, I think all SCs at or near hotels should have at least two J1772's (preferably four or more in larger EV areas). I've spent the night at hotels with SCs, and had to move the car (often twice: 1st evening charge to 90%, then 2nd morning charge to 100%). A bunch of L2 stations would help alleviate that problem (especially since my single charger vehicle takes 8 hrs to fully charge). But....any charging is better than none. Bring em' on.

 

[PLUS EV]

It's possible that there was a miscommunication and there are 6 supercharger cabinets, i.e. 12 stalls.

I'd be equally surprised by either outcome. Surprised by 6 because it's <8 which has been the minimum for new constructions in the US for over a year now. Surprised by 12 because it seems like overkill for Fargo.

I realize Fargo is the biggest city in ND and at the intersection of two interstates, but comparing it to Ellensburg is a little ambitious. Ellensburg serves a major metropolitan area. Anyone going to/from Seattle from/to anywhere in a different time zone or even just east of the Cascades needs to use Ellensburg.

 

[DanL3]

Still No word or rumors on the rest of I-90?

 

[sdoorex]

Yeah, Lusk WY and Cheyenne WY are two examples of 4-station SCs that have not been upgraded. Your comment on eclipses struck a nerve: Here's the Cheyenne SC the evening after the Great American Eclipse -- 4 stalls full, three waiting. Of course, those of us waiting were Tesla owners and eclipse chasers, so we had plenty to talk about.View attachment 298594

I noticed that the Supercharger pillars have been updated to the new design at Lusk and Cheyenne while driving to the Sound of Silence rally. I wonder if they also updated the internals of the cabinets?

 

[DanL3]

Looks like Permits in Fargo and Dickinson. Does anyone see permits in other North Dakota locations?

 

[VIKING26]

There is no movement on the Fargo SC yet. Anyone have incite on the other locations already permitted - Dickinson or Pembina?

 

[lightfoot3b]

There is no movement on the Fargo SC yet. Anyone have incite on the other locations already permitted - Dickinson or Pembina?

Dickinson is shovel ready. Permit completed and paid for, still sitting at city waiting for a Tesla rep. to pick it up. (full details in the Dickinson thread)
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/dickinson-north-dakota-supercharger-location.112234/page-4

I also just moments ago updated on what I learned (nothing) about Alexandria which is the hold up for all of ND according to sources.

 

[MorrisonHiker]

Looks like Permits in Fargo and Dickinson. Does anyone see permits in other North Dakota locations?

If you look at https://supercharge.info/ , you can see that we've known about the Dickinson for 69 days, Fargo for 72 days and Pembina for 72 days.

 

[lightfoot3b]

Bismarck and Jamestown mini updates: *edit* and Fargo

Bismarck -
Haven't found a thing to indicate Tesla is in talks with anyone.

Called the Gateway Mall. The gal was excited about an opportunity to have something like this while we chatted on the phone and I gave her the 5 minute Super-fast Tesla rundown. She is looking at filling out the suggest location form and I volunteered to help with the notes to increase the appeal of her location (It is the as close as possible to where the interstate and highway cross, plus the most restaurant options in one area, and a bit of shopping).

Jamestown -
The mall there HAS been contacted by Tesla, many months ago, the secretary (manager?) forwarded the info to the owners group and has heard nothing. I prodded a bit and ended explaining about Tesla briefly and suggested a follow to see where this was at since it would be a great thing to have to increase traffic at their mall. I re-assured her I do not work for Tesla

Fargo - No update, (no progress is known by the mall staff)

 

[mikerwalsh]

Bismarck and Jamestown mini updates: *edit* and Fargo

Bismarck -
Haven't found a thing to indicate Tesla is in talks with anyone.

Called the Gateway Mall. The gal was excited about an opportunity to have something like this while we chatted on the phone and I gave her the 5 minute Super-fast Tesla rundown. She is looking at filling out the suggest location form and I volunteered to help with the notes to increase the appeal of her location (It is the as close as possible to where the interstate and highway cross, plus the most restaurant options in one area, and a bit of shopping).

Jamestown -
The mall there HAS been contacted by Tesla, many months ago, the secretary (manager?) forwarded the info to the owners group and has heard nothing. I prodded a bit and ended explaining about Tesla briefly and suggested a follow to see where this was at since it would be a great thing to have to increase traffic at their mall. I re-assured her I do not work for Tesla

Fargo - No update, (no progress is known by the mall staff)

Thank you Lightfoot3b, for your persistence in goading Tesla into extending their Supercharger network into North Dakota! It shouldn't be this hard! Sadly, I think 2018 may go down with 2017, 2016, 2015...... as "maybe next year". If Bismarck, Jamestown, Miles City?, Glendive?, et. al. haven't even started the process yet, and if Tesla's preferred method of operation is to open all the Superchargers in a chain in rapid succession, then 2018 isn't looking good for I94. If I'm wrong, and I can Supercharge my way from Washington State to Dickinson, I would like to treat you to a steak dinner at the establishment of your choice! As it is, I will be traveling through South Dakota with a last Supercharger stop in Mitchell, then up to Jamestown (which at least has 4 Level 2 chargers, compared to Bismarck's one.) to visit family. It is kind of mind boggling to me that the capital city of North Dakota has (not counting campgrounds) 1 (one) Level 2 charger, according to Plugshare, and that's at a Nissan dealer, whose generosity towards cars from a competitor might be in question. Anyway, if North Dakota ever joins the Supercharger network, I would like to nominate you as The Father of North Dakota Supercharging, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto (not much, I'm afraid).

 

[lightfoot3b]

Thank you Lightfoot3b, for your persistence in goading Tesla into extending their Supercharger network into North Dakota... ...according to Plugshare, and that's at a Nissan dealer, whose generosity towards cars from a competitor might be in question. Anyway, if North Dakota ever joins the Supercharger network, I would like to nominate you as The Father of North Dakota Supercharging, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto (not much, I'm afraid).

Thanks! It's self serving thought too, I have to admit. Anyway, Bismarck Tesla owners are a good group and let other owners charge often. There is one at the NISC building in Mandan not listed on plug share as I know about it through a local relative of the company CEO. The CEO is waiting for his 3, but the 2 30Amp 207V chargers are installed and ready to... charge. I called the company for another owner this week and they are happy to let non-employees/clients/visitors use it while their employees don't need it. Since this could change I didn't want to list it (Also, slow in relative terms as it is about 6kWh vs the 9.6 on a camper plug/dedicated Tesla wall unit).

I really hope 2018 does not go down this way. I nearly frozen last winter in one drive and was not a happy camper about multiple other times I couldn't make trips due to not have the network I was told about having 3 years ago (had the car 4.2 years now). If I have to personally interview everyone who lives in Alexandria to figure this one, out I might just have to

I would appreciate if anyone knows people in/around the Alexandria area to do just a tiny bit of calling/research to help figure out this problem that would be awesome! Tesla supercharger team nor the supercharger team contact have replied to my last 3 emails (only ones I've sent in the last 6 months).

 

[mikerwalsh]

Thanks! It's self serving thought too, I have to admit. Anyway, Bismarck Tesla owners are a good group and let other owners charge often. There is one at the NISC building in Mandan not listed on plug share as I know about it through a local relative of the company CEO. The CEO is waiting for his 3, but the 2 30Amp 207V chargers are installed and ready to... charge. I called the company for another owner this week and they are happy to let non-employees/clients/visitors use it while their employees don't need it. Since this could change I didn't want to list it (Also, slow in relative terms as it is about 6kWh vs the 9.6 on a camper plug/dedicated Tesla wall unit).

I really hope 2018 does not go down this way. I nearly frozen last winter in one drive and was not a happy camper about multiple other times I couldn't make trips due to not have the network I was told about having 3 years ago (had the car 4.2 years now). If I have to personally interview everyone who lives in Alexandria to figure this one, out I might just have to

I would appreciate if anyone knows people in/around the Alexandria area to do just a tiny bit of calling/research to help figure out this problem that would be awesome! Tesla supercharger team nor the supercharger team contact have replied to my last 3 emails (only ones I've sent in the last 6 months).

I can't address Alexandria, but I will do some sleuthing in Jamestown, I'm planning to be there in August. I will at least talk to the mall people and talk to the city to see if there have been any interesting building permit applications, since none of that seems to be available online.

 

[mikerwalsh]

At least Bismarck posts their building permits online. Not that there's been anything with Tesla on it. That's the great thing about working with Tesla, one learns to develop one's patience, starting with waiting for one's car