Supercharger - Sonora, CA (under construction Feb 2024)

[ecarfan]

Sonora is a location indicated as coming in 2019 but there is no dedicated thread to it yet so decided to start one.

I think it was earlier indicated as coming in 2018 but that didn’t happen. I believe that @sub lives in Sonora (based on a post made in another thread). Anyone else there who can scout around for signs of construction?

 

[sarbo]

My daughter lives near Twain Hart so I visit often. There are destination charger at the Back Oak Casino which I have used. Hopefully Tesla completes the Sonora location soon. I would guess the location will be near the shopping mall where Walmart and other stores are located.
Recon in process.
sja

 

[ReddyLeaf]

Ok scouts, start looking. I see there are a couple of good options, how about near the Starbucks in the Walmart parking lot?
Traveling 395 East of the Sierras: Planning Charging and Energy Usage

Looks like a new SC may be going up on the 108, large Tesla "T" under cover. I did Mammoth to SF in one charge.

 

[EVDRVN]

There is a giant covered Tesla sign in place on the 108 on the south side of the road, can't remember exact location but it was not near big stores. You can't miss it on your right headed east. I assume that is where they SC will be.

 

[ReddyLeaf]

There is a giant covered Tesla sign in place on the 108 on the south side of the road, can't remember exact location but it was not near big stores. You can't miss it on your right headed east. I assume that is where they SC will be.

I would look around here
Google Maps

 

[4SUPER9]

I would look around here
Google Maps

Interesting. If there is a giant Tesla sign, it must be for a significant site, much like Kettleman, which is the only place I have seen a large sign, outside of a service center. If we were to search for a permit, where would be begin? Sonora? Tuolomne? By the county?

 

[SMAlset]

I tried searching building permits a while back after this thread was started and then just now. Typically I would think somewhere near a Starbucks would be a logical place, however given the info on the big sign and possibility it could be a large capacity stall SC, how about this property off of 108? Walmart btw is to the left in this picture (the gray walled building) in the shopping center across the road on Mono Road. However if this is being constructed more as Tesla rest stop like Kettleman City, no need for being near a Starbucks since coffee etc will be served inside. They are definitely building something to the right here on CA-108. What do you think?

Entrance to this construction site area is down Old Wards Ferry Road.

Then I accidentally hit something on the maps that took me aerial and look at what it shows. Very interesting. Beautiful view off towards the mountains to the right of here. Wonder what that new road off Old Wards Ferry Road is named? Could be how to find the permit if this is the location.

 

[SMAlset]

Here's the permit search site for the area of Sonora. eTRAKiT

Just found out that first area off of Old Ward Ferry Road is the Justice Center (aka prison). Don't think it will be that building area Wonder however about the land further down from here at Sanguinetti Road or a bit further down to the right of it. I just think this looks like a great area in general to see one go in.

We've been to Sonora a few times and stayed there but don't think we were on CA-108 where the town people shop so not familiar with this section.

 

[masterjrm]

There is a giant covered Tesla sign in place on the 108 on the south side of the road, can't remember exact location but it was not near big stores. You can't miss it on your right headed east. I assume that is where they SC will be.

Google Maps

My presumption is that you are referring to this. When I first saw that around three years ago I thought it looked like a tesla sign. It isn't though. I stopped there and looked under the tarp.

 

[SMAlset]

Definitely not a Tesla sign. And that would mean probably not a giant SC area so probably back to near Starbuck locations. I know there are a few of them in town. At least someplace with a coffee shop, food places and close to a major highway. I would think a good location would be on CA-108 not far from 49 which will see lots of people traveling through gold country up north of there. Also it would be close enough to 120 into Yosemite National Park area. Looking for the biggest bang for the buck as far as reaching a lot of travelers to the general area. Can't wait to see where this one lands.

 

[ReddyLeaf]

Google Maps

My presumption is that you are referring to this. When I first saw that around three years ago I thought it looked like a tesla sign. It isn't though. I stopped there and looked under the tarp.

Wow, that definitely looks like a Tesla sign. Hmmm, I think we’ve been snookered. Anyway, I really don’t think that a Kettleman-style SC make any sense on a minor highway that gets closed in winter. I’d go for 8-12 stalls. Given V3, 6-8 stalls might be enough. Like others said, back to the drawing board, closer to a Starbucks.

 

[4SUPER9]

Wow, that definitely looks like a Tesla sign. Hmmm, I think we’ve been snookered. Anyway, I really don’t think that a Kettleman-style SC make any sense on a minor highway that gets closed in winter. I’d go for 8-12 stalls. Given V3, 6-8 stalls might be enough. Like others said, back to the drawing board, closer to a Starbucks.

Agreed. If I drove past that, I would have immediately turned around and inspected it. What a tease...

 

[cpa]

Wow, that definitely looks like a Tesla sign. Hmmm, I think we’ve been snookered. Anyway, I really don’t think that a Kettleman-style SC make any sense on a minor highway that gets closed in winter. I’d go for 8-12 stalls. Given V3, 6-8 stalls might be enough. Like others said, back to the drawing board, closer to a Starbucks.

Yes, indeed. Sonora Pass is one of the earliest Trans-Sierra passes to close in late fall, and one of the last to reopen the following spring. I think CalTrans finally reopened Sonora Pass around the first day of summer this year, and it was shut down right after Thanksgiving. Moreover, highway 49 is popular, but usually for day trips to the Mother Lode country, and not to travel from Oakhurst to Auburn and further north.

A regular old-fashioned Supercharger with 8-12 stalls makes sense for Sonora.

 

[SMAlset]

Nothing yet? Just read the thread for Placerville and there are now SCs there in operation so am hoping this southern end of Gold Country will see a build out soon. Anyone checked permits recently?

 

[BigMskiman]

What about where 49 turns left/north onto (main street Sonora) Washington St. near BofA? Teslarati shows it.

 

[SMAlset]

In the meantime, there are still a few charging options for owners heading up Gold Country Rt 49. I checked PlugShare and see there is a 80A HPWC in the back of the Jamestown Hotel (just west of Sonora) that has permitted Telsas to charge there. The hotel has a bar and restaurant. A few Model S and 3 owners including @Randy Spencer have used it. The Chicken Ranch Casino west of the Jamestown Hotel on 49 has 3 16kW HPWC and a J-1772 L2 EVSE available.

 

[GevoJoe]

My daughter lives near Twain Hart so I visit often. There are destination charger at the Back Oak Casino which I have used. Hopefully Tesla completes the Sonora location soon. I would guess the location will be near the shopping mall where Walmart and other stores are located.
Recon in process.
sja

yea I have family there too and go often from Fair Oaks and I have to go out of my way to Folsom to supercharge if I go unplanned which is usually crowded and limited charging. This sight is 1 of 2 that I’m anxiously awaiting to open.

 

[GevoJoe]

They need a Supercharger somewhere in Jackson,CA too. Don’t see that on the list

 

[SMAlset]

They need a Supercharger somewhere in Jackson,CA too. Don’t see that on the list

Jackson SCs are now in and live. Jackson is apx 30 miles south on 49 from Placerville (general Google map distance between towns). Maybe Tesla is working their way south down 49 and Sonora will be next now?? That would place it around 43 miles south of Jackson. I can’t see them not installing one in Sonora given it’s proximity to Yosemite and 120/49. Maybe it’s time to start looking again at filed permits.

 

[bmah]

Jackson SCs are now in and live. Jackson is apx 30 miles south on 49 from Placerville (general Google map distance between towns). Maybe Tesla is working their way south down 49 and Sonora will be next now?? That would place it around 43 miles south of Jackson. I can’t see them not installing one in Sonora given it’s proximity to Yosemite and 120/49. Maybe it’s time to start looking again at filed permits.

I'm not sure what the implication is for Sonora, but that Supercharger is no longer on Tesla's findme pages. Also the "slug" that identifies the Web page for the Jackson, CA Supercharger is "sonoracasupercharger". One could interpret that to mean that Jackson has replaced Sonora. (Someone else wrote something similar in the Jackson thread.) Clearly this is all speculation / guessing though!

Bruce.