Supercharger - Denver, CO - East 45th Avenue

[itselectricCO]

The City and County of Denver is reviewing a permit application for a new Tesla Supercharger station at 12075 East 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80239. Here is the language from the County:

12075 E 45TH AVE - TESLA - EV CHARGING STATION Tesla is proposing to install an electric vehicle charging station within an existing parking lot. The project includes the installation of (2) Pre-Assembled Supercharger units, (4) level 2 chargers, (1) switchgear, (1) utility transformer and (1) utility meter. The project will also install a new 1600 amp electrical service.

Here are links to the relevant permit applications:

City and County of Denver | ePermit online

City and County of Denver | ePermit online

City and County of Denver | ePermit online

This location is only .7 miles driving distance from the almost-completed Tesla START center at Lincoln Technical Institute. I only know what I can read on the Denver permitting website, but my guess is that the two sites are related. If not, the location strikes me as odd, as do the specifics--just 3 miles from the Denver Airport Supercharger (and farther from the airport where more Supercharging is greatly needed) and only two Supercharger units (plus Level 2 charging).

Even if not related, more fast charging is good--wherever Tesla chooses to put it. In some ways, I'd like to see more of these smaller stations in more places. Assuming for the sake of discussion that it is economically viable for Tesla, doing so would allow Superchargers to proliferate like gas stations. We'll see if this is a one-off for Tesla START or the start of a trend. Tesla puts in 3-unit Superchargers all the time in China--maybe Tesla will start doing it in the U.S. too. Time will tell.

You can read more about Tesla START here:

https://www.denvergov.org/AccelaCitizenAccess/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Development&TabName=Development&capID1=22CAP&capID2=00000&capID3=03X4Z&agencyCode=DENVER&IsToShowInspection=

and

Lincoln Tech Signs Agreement with Tesla to Train Future EV Technicians

and

Lincoln Tech & Tesla partner to train future EV technicians.

PS- I also have my eye on this permit. I do not know if it is for a Tesla Supercharger or some other kind of non-Tesla charging, but the permit value is listed at $300,000, so it's a significant bit of charging going in at a Costco either way. I'm guessing it's not Tesla, based on the fact that the contractor's website lists that it has done work for ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVGo, but not for Tesla.

 

[Guacahummus]

@corywright @Big Earl @Chuq

 

[PLUS EV]

If it's only 2 supercharger stalls, it's highly unlikely that it will be open to the public.

 

[itselectricCO]

If it's only 2 supercharger stalls, it's highly unlikely that it will be open to the public.

Agreed, though the language is a bit vague. Each “pre-assembled Supercharger unit” could have multiple pedestals.

Also, the parking lot is very much a public lot right now with over 200 parking spaces and is not on-site at Tesla Start. It would be tough to make a part of the lot private for Tesla students (located .7 miles away). Not impossible, but definitely difficult.

 

[PLUS EV]

Interesting. Maybe it's 2 of the pre-fabricated units which I believe have 4 stalls each. That would make for an 8-stall supercharger.

 

[Big Earl]

Interesting. Maybe it's 2 of the pre-fabricated units which I believe have 4 stalls each. That would make for an 8-stall supercharger.

1600 amps would serve 8 stalls with room for expansion.

 

[itselectricCO]

1600 amps would serve 8 stalls with room for expansion.

Thank you—I was hoping someone would chime in with this kind of info.

 

[Guacahummus]

2 PSUs, 8 stalls

Source:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1587173481841496066

 

[itselectricCO]

Drove by this week; no progress.

 

[JamesEarl15]

Any update on this? Seeing that Edgewater got put up in seconds, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same as well. I will drive that way this weekend if the post isn't updated by then.

 

[itselectricCO]

I’ve checked for progress multiple times and have found nothing. It’s been at least a week since my last visit, though. That said, the permits have not been issued yet, so I’d be surprised to see any progress.

 

[itselectricCO]

Just noticed that the Commercial Construction Permit for this location is now marked as:

Record Status: Closed - Withdrawn​

See here: City and County of Denver | ePermit online

I'm not a permitting expert and I have zero inside information, but the plain language suggests this site may not go forward. Perhaps others out there have more information on this proposed site.

 

[itselectricCO]

I stopped by on 1/13/23. A portable toilet with a padlock on the door has been delivered to the proposed install area. I don’t know if it’s for Tesla or another construction purpose—I only know it is there.

 

[itselectricCO]

Construction is well under way. Looks like 2 prefab units for a total of 8 plugs. A bit of paving and painting yet to do, but this is far along.

I could not get close enough to determine if they have the magic dock, but it does not look like it to me. Transformers are in place.

Lots of good options right there for food, etc. This will be good for all Tesla/EV drivers and will help alleviate congestion at DEN-area chargers like Airport Way and Brighton.

@Big Earl @Chuq

 

[JamesEarl15]

That is awesome. Now we need to check Tower Rd.

 

[gsmith123]

Nice! Pretty sure those are not Magic Dock. TBH I'm happy about that. The Denver SC scene doesn't have a lot of spare capacity at peak times (doesn't have any spare capacity sometimes... hah).

An 8 stall SC is not a good candidate for Magic Dock, given that lots of other EVs will block another stall. Two non-Tesla's could potentially block two stalls if people aren't smart.

Lakewood would be a better candidate for an Magic Dock retrofit, although it's right by an EA station.

 

[DeepBlueMN]

Nice! Pretty sure those are not Magic Dock. TBH I'm happy about that. The Denver SC scene doesn't have a lot of spare capacity at peak times (doesn't have any spare capacity sometimes... hah).

An 8 stall SC is not a good candidate for Magic Dock, given that lots of other EVs will block another stall. Two non-Tesla's could potentially block two stalls if people aren't smart.

Lakewood would be a better candidate for a Magic Dock retrofit, although it's right by an EA station.

Yeah, I don’t think there are Magic Docks on pre-fabs yet. But, strangely, there already are some Magic Docks right by an EA site.

 

[itselectricCO]

Xcel Energy is on-site today doing stuff. Concrete/flat work still needs to be done, as well.

 

[JamesEarl15]

Should be done in a few weeks

 

[itselectricCO]

April 3, 2023: stopped by; progress made.

Concrete is done. Lines are painted. Also, 4 destination chargers installed. Fence is still up, though. Very close.