Supercharger - Mobile, AL

[dhanson865]

I decided (AND MY RECOMMENDATION FOR ANYONE CHARGING HERE IS TO DO THE SAME) to walk over to Target and hang there for the duration of the charge. If you are not by your car, you can't be approached. If I end up at this SC in the future, I'll be at Target again for sure and I'll make sure I time it so it is during business hours. Happy travels everyone.

How do you get from target to your car?

I don't see how it is any safer to wait in a store if they can watch you come and go and just attack you when you return for your car.

 

[Zarwin]

Have any of you reported your experiences to Tesla? I'm sure they can't move it now, but perhaps they can pressure the Mall for more security in that area. Based on the postings here, it sounds like it is only going to be a matter of time before something bad happens at this location. Be safe everyone.

I can't speak for everyone, but while this is a far from ideal location, I didn't really see it as unsafe to use in the daytime, during business hours. When I was there, security looped the supercharger several times on their loop around the mall. The Shoe Station that is closest to it (I actually went and bought a pair of shoes while I charged) has visibility to the stations from the registers (I think, not sure about that, but I think I looked up when buying shoes and could see my car), so I would imagine the employees working there could see if something was happening, which should discourage something from happening.

Now that being said, I would certainly avoid it when the mall and surrounding stores are closed based on what others have said.

Edit:
Also, I think is location is a prime candidate for video surveillance. It's already network connected and of course has power, so the addition of just one camera mounted on a pole from the supercharger cabinet would be both a crime deterrent and safety mechanism. Granted, the camera and recording options would not be that expensive, but a real-time monitoring services to view the feed whenever motion triggers it would be costly, but there must be some option to ensure safety at superchargers after hours.

 

[Peoria]

How do you get from target to your car?

I don't see how it is any safer to wait in a store if they can watch you come and go and just attack you when you return for your car.

The SC's are so out of the way at this location, it would be obvious to anyone not to approach their car if a group was hanging around it. If I saw anyone by my car that was not simply someone else charging, I would ask for help from mall security. You can also just request an escort from the mall by calling the number on the posted sign. They will take you to a nearby store and back (at least the sign says they will). I didn't mean to be an alarmist about this SC but I DID want to convey my surprise that Tesla didn't research this area better as well as report my experience. I haven't seen any other reports similar to what happened to me other than the other owner I spoke with there. I would encourage others to report your experiences here (good or bad) so we can all be more informed about what is happening at this location and whether it needs to be brought to the attention of Tesla. Most self defense experts recommend avoidance as one of the best way to remain safe. These cars are an attraction at any SC but doubly so here and this is one SC where you probably don't want to share your MS story with a curious public. Common sense and an awareness of your surroundings will serve you well in Mobile. Use them.

 

[Peoria]

I'm thinking of trying to make the whole leg on one charge and bailing at the Mazalea Travel Park for a 14-50 charge if things look iffy. It's about 50 miles short of the Mobile SC and very in range for the 85D. I just checked the Level 3 in New Orleans and it was recently reported to be down by Plugshare. My overnight is planned for Tallahassee.

- - - Updated - - -



Thanks, I just tried it out and it's a nice feature. I'm guessing/hoping someone else has run these SCs and if no one reports on it before I attempt in late June then I'll pass along the info.

Happy to report the Baton Rouge SC is easily within range of this SC with a 85D. I arrived from BR to Mobile with 20% of my charge left after a range charge to 100%. On the way back, I drove from Mobile to The Best Western destination charger in La Place, LA and could have still made BR with 7% range as predicted by the MS navi system. I did this trip both ways at posted speed limits. Easy!

 

[Sosius]

Charged twice at this Supercharger during a road trip from NOLA to NC. Both times were during daylight hours and I had no security issues. A few people looked curiously in my direction, but that seems to happen at all seldom-visited Superchargers. The mall is clearly not the latest or greatest that AL has to offer, and I wonder why Tesla chose the location. It is very similar to the Auburn location and I would not be surprised if Tesla got a deal with a company that manages/owns both malls.

 

[jvmoore1]

... A few people looked curiously in my direction, but that seems to happen at all seldom-visited Superchargers.

That was probably my kids and I. They are constantly on lookout when we go to Target or the other stores in the area. so my apologies. lol

 

[Sosius]

Next time you should stop and say hi!

 

[taurusking]

I am planning to drive through Mobile AL next week and I will be using this supercharger..Good to know the details but I will be charging late at night

 

[Rockster]

I charged here coming and going from Dallas to Tampa in July and had no concerns. Both times I walked to and from Target. Target is worthwhile but that's a sad little mall attached to it.

I did get some interested looks as a few people drove by but the only interaction I had was while walking to Target. A motorist drove up to me and stopped and asked what those things were. He had seen them being built but didn't know their purposes. We chatted for a few moments and he drove away. I could, however, see where that parking lot could feel a bit dodgy late at night when everything is closed.

 

[taurusking]

I did drive by Mobile AL too and I was there till 10pm and I saw some group of teenagers drive around and ask questions.

I am not able to say it is 100% safe to charge at night.

I am glad I got done by 10pm and had few mins to walk to Target and grab few stuff.

 

[Electricfan]

I wanted to say to anybody travelling from east to west, don't follow the Nav to this supercharger. Instead of getting off the highway and travelling 4 or so miles through stoplights, keep going West on the highway until the Nav tells you to go north on I-65. This will be a longer route, but MUCH easier than the way the Nav wants you to go.

I have charged at Mobile 4 times (two trips east from Houston - one to FL and one to TN) and had no scare or any nervousness at all here. But I was only there during daylight hours. Mall was closed one time I was there - Sunday morning I think.

 

[TexasEV]

There will be another charging option in Mobile for Tesla owners who want to spend the night there. We wanted to stay at the Kate Shepard House B&B on our return from Florida to Texas in late summer and I suggested they apply for the destination charging program. The owner was very interested and I heard back today that they were approved for a HPWC. No installation date given though so if you're interested please check with them.
Mobile Alabama Bed and Breakfast, Mobile AL Bed and Breakfast

This B&B now shows on the destination charging nap, with a 80A HPWC.

 

[Bitjockey]

I'm planning to travel back from Florida and stop at this SC on my way back to Toronto via Nashville TN. There doesn't seem to be any direct way to get from Mobile to the Nashville SC. Checking Plugshare and other sites, I still can't figure out how I can do this without a big detour.

I welcome any advice from anyone who's ever tried to do this route. I just bought a CHAdeMO adapter in case that opens up some choices for me, but not all CHAdeMO chargers play nice with Teslas from what I read.

thanks!

EDIT: Oops, it's actually Greenville, AL that I'll be heading out from on my way to Nashville. A bit closer, but still not close enough.

 

[flyeyes]

I charged at the Mobile Supercharger twice over the weekend, once during the day and once after hours.

During business hours I would not hesitate to use it again.

I would recommend against using it after hours in the strongest possible terms.

After hours the part of the parking lot where the superchargers are is unlit. There was readily visible criminal activity in the empty parking lot (what looked like drug deals, young men vandalizing a mall security golf cart, cars doing "donuts" in the parking lot). While plugged in, the Tesla is immobilized, which prevents a rapid escape.

The location desperately needs good lighting, video surveillance, and some kind of security. I foolishly thought that the weather prediction for moderate to heavy rain would keep problems to a minimum but I was wrong.

 

[cgiGuy]

Mall parking lots are about the worst place you could put a supercharger. Seems like the amenities are a good idea, but if there is no security.. there are always going to be "parking lot parties."

 

[kort677]

I charged at the Mobile Supercharger twice over the weekend, once during the day and once after hours.

During business hours I would not hesitate to use it again.

I would recommend against using it after hours in the strongest possible terms.

After hours the part of the parking lot where the superchargers are is unlit. There was readily visible criminal activity in the empty parking lot (what looked like drug deals, young men vandalizing a mall security golf cart, cars doing "donuts" in the parking lot). While plugged in, the Tesla is immobilized, which prevents a rapid escape.

The location desperately needs good lighting, video surveillance, and some kind of security. I foolishly thought that the weather prediction for moderate to heavy rain would keep problems to a minimum but I was wrong.

I agree, I've charged there twice and found that the people who frequent the area are not the people I wish to be around. the location, especially after hours could be termed scary.
After hours there are no amenities close by ( I would be afraid to leave the car ) and zero law enforcement presence. it is possible to skip mobile but it is a 240 mile hop to defuniak springs fl and the same distance to greenville al it is a tough hop to make in anything less than an 90d.

 

[flyeyes]

Update:

This morning I talked to mall security, who were very pleasant and helpful. I was under the mistaken impression that they were not available when the mall was closed, but they said they are there 24/7 and if you call the number about 5 minutes prior to arriving (251) 605-0565 they'd be happy to come "assist" which basically means hanging out while you charge.

She was as nice as she could be, understood my concerns, and it sounds like this would be the solution.

I also talked to Mobile PD, and they said we could call the non-emergency number and they'd be happy to send a cruiser to circle the parking lot. (251) 478-1863. They were very nice as well.

 

[kort677]

^^ good to know if you cannot avoid having to charge there after business hours.

 

[ggnykk]

I charged here a few days ago on a Sunday afternoon. I just have to ask Tesla: Why here??? Why did you choose this site with all the places you could have put this SC? I just completed a trip using every SC from Phoenix to Orlando and the Mobile SC was a rough experience to say the least. The curiosity of the public in general about these cars and what we are doing at these SC's is mostly a good experience but not here. An ICE car pulled up one space over from me with a group of 4 adults in it. The driver stepped out and asked me if he could charge his car there. I told him I didn't think he would have much luck with that and laughed to try to be friendly. Standing outside alone with my family in my car, I immediately felt intimidated by how the car pulled in so quick and how fast the guy jumped out of it. A few people in his car were laughing and I got the feeling that they were laughing at what the driver was doing and at me. Initially I was on the passenger side of my car and I moved to the driver side to put an object between us. He then started toward my car and I opened my door as if I were ready to leave. He decided to walk back to his car and just left. I have had many conversations with random people approaching me to talk about the Model S at many SC's I have never got the feeling I got from this guy. IMO, at the best, he was there to hassle someone who didn't belong in his neighborhood and at the worse, he had something planned and my actions made him reconsider. We are heading back to Phoenix next week and no one in my family wants to stop there to charge again. I think I'll leave my family at one of the malls up the street and charge the car myself. Tesla, you need another SC somewhere between Baton Rouge and Mobile (maybe Slidell?) so this site can be bypassed. It may be only a matter of time before it becomes a fun thing for the locals to make frequent visits here (and not for good reasons).

this is scary stuff, did you contact Tesla about your story?

 

[ggnykk]

Update:

This morning I talked to mall security, who were very pleasant and helpful. I was under the mistaken impression that they were not available when the mall was closed, but they said they are there 24/7 and if you call the number about 5 minutes prior to arriving (251) 605-0565 they'd be happy to come "assist" which basically means hanging out while you charge.

She was as nice as she could be, understood my concerns, and it sounds like this would be the solution.

I also talked to Mobile PD, and they said we could call the non-emergency number and they'd be happy to send a cruiser to circle the parking lot. (251) 478-1863. They were very nice as well.

Please put this info on Plugshare