Supercharger - Robstown, TX

[Guacahummus]

https://supercharge.info/map?siteID=7756

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2024014379

Project Name: Tesla - Robstown, TX
Project Number: TABS2024014379
Facility Name: Tesla
Location Address: 500 US-77 IH 69, Robstown, TX 78380
Scope of Work: electrical infrastructure
Owner Name: Tesla, Inc.

 

[Cigar Man]

Wow! Tesla is really saturating the routes into the Brownsville area - presumably for SpaceX launches. Besides this one in Robstown on I-69E, new and existing SCs include:

• Existing near I-69E in Brownsville
• Permitted in Brownsville to supplement the existing one (closest to SpaceX)
• Existing I-2 near I-69E at Harlingen
• Construction I-2 at Mercedes
• Existing I-2 at McAllen
• Permitted expansion of the McAllen site
• Permitted I-69E at Raymondville
• Permitted I-69C at Falfurrias
• Existing I-69E at Kingsville
• Permitted I-69E - near the already existing one in Kingsville.
• Permitted US 77 (future I-69E) at Refugio
• Permitted I-37 Mathis
• Existing I-37 junction with US 281 (future I 69C) in Three Rivers
• Construction I-37 Pleasanton

Yes, I know there is a two stall Urban SC on South Padre Island, a V3 in Corpus Christi and a planned one for Kenedy, but those are not on a direct route.

 

[get-atty]

Next town over from new Tesla lithium factory in Driscoll TX

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Robstown, TX

Host Type: Restaurant
Host: Whataburger
Along Primary Interstates: I-69E
Along US Numbered Highways (<=5mi): US-77
Along Auxiliary Interstates: None
Along State Routes: TX-44

I-69E

From: Kingsville - E Corral Ave, TX - 22.5 miles (Permit)
To: Refugio, TX - 45.3 miles (Permit)
Diversion: 0 miles
From: Kingsville, TX (v2) - 25 miles
To: End (US-59 Victoria, TX) - 80.3 miles

US-77

From: Kingsville - E Corral Ave, TX - 22.5 miles (Permit)
To: Refugio, TX - 45.3 miles (Permit)
Diversion: 0 miles
From: Kingsville, TX (v2) - 25 miles
To: Giddings, TX (v2) - 191.3 miles

In a small Texas town, in the corner of the parking lot of a dead mall, there is a Whataburger, which will apparently have an 8-stall Supercharger.

On I-69E/US-77.

 

[AudreyHTX1]

Is this the first one at a Whataburger? (The iconic fast food hamburger chain from South Texas - origin Corpus Christi Whataburger - Wikipedia.)

 

[Guacahummus]

Caldwell is also at a Whataburger

 

[get-atty]

Not just any Whataburger, but a brand new one. This section of US 77 south of Corpus Christi/Five Points is a great north/south location. Also branded as Interstate 69 East on this section since it has designated on/off ramps and access roads.

The old Outlets at Corpus Christi Bay did not survive Covid but it was a nice place before. Plenty of room for expansion - maybe it could be a showplace Supercharger with solar panels, 50s theme diner! Why should California have all the fun?

 

[Firocity]

supercharge.info

TDLR TABS - Project Details

I see that the start date is 4/22 and completion date is a year out when viewing the TDLR Project details link provided? Does it normally take a year to complete a Supercharger?

 

[AudreyHTX1]

It can take as little as two weeks with the pre-fab unit, and sometimes months. A year is unusual, but not unheard of.

Often a month maybe two to actually install the supercharger. But then power connection is a real wildcard. There can be serious delays with the power company providing the transformer and even once installed there can be a long delay for the power to be turned on.

However we can also wait months for the project to actually start.

 

[Firocity]

It can take as little as two weeks with the pre-fab unit, and sometimes months. A year is unusual, but not unheard of.

Often a month maybe two to actually install the supercharger. But then power connection is a real wildcard. There can be serious delays with the power company providing the transformer and even once installed there can be a long delay for the power to be turned on.

However we can also wait months for the project to actually start.

I am thinking that maybe they got the year wrong on the permit application. At least I hope. Once this location is live it will probably cut my charging stops down to 1 from the 2 that I make at Three Rivers and Kingsville.

 

[AudreyHTX1]

I’m never surprised to see extended dates on permits. Nor rely on them for actual start or completion dates. Until there is an actual start of construction it’s all vaporware as far as I’m concerned.

 

[ChrisC]

I was in the area and stopped by to check. The Whataburger is quite busy so I guess everybody knows about it now. I did not see any signs of Tesla site construction, although I did see a lot of surveyor flags on the south side of the property. But it would be pretty crowded in there -- hopefully these get located in one of the adjacent parking lots.

The vacant outlet mall next door is very quiet and sad.