GRA, fun discussion here!
Yeah, I like playing with maps (the paper kind), and have wasted far too many hours figuring optional locations for SCs all over the state!
Whatever ultimately flops out with the placement of Superchargers along the Eastern Sierra corridor, I think we can agree that there will be those of us pleased and those of us less-than-pleased. You indicate that you live in the East Bay, so I just ran a proforma calculation from Walnut Creek to Bishop using EVTripplanner. I selected three routes--through Yosemite and Tioga Road (320 range miles and 5 1/2 hours driving); across Sonora Pass (350 range miles and 5 1/4 hours driving); and over Carson Pass to Minden and then south on US395 (open year-round except for brief closures for heavy snow) (383 range miles and about 6 1/2 hours driving.)
I'm in the inner East Bay, a lot closer to the 880/580 Jct. than Walnut Creek. You're right, where we live and where we normally go will determine how satisfied we are with SC placement, until they put one in every town in Mono and Inyo counties that have a gas station now, and that's not going to happen anytime soon.:smile:
Here's how my numbers work out, using Google maps: 5:30 and 293 miles via 580/205/99/120/108/395; 5:39 and 270 miles (must be figuring daytime with RV and tourist traffic, cause I routinely get to Lee Vining in under 4 hours at night, and Bishop an hour later) via 580/205/99/120 (Old Priest Grade)/395; 580/80/50/89 (Luther Pass)/88/Centerville Ln./395, 6:28 and 376 miles, or 207 (Kingsville Grade)/206/Centerville Ln./395, 6:36 and 373 miles. I find that in winter 50 is faster than 88, and far less likely to be shut down for avalanche control on the spur of the moment at the north end of the Kirkwood ridge.
The total driving and charging times for Tioga Pass vs. Sonora Pass is likely to be immaterial to reach Bishop, provided that your excellent idea of placing a SC in Jamestown is adopted.
See my comments above; Tioga has definitely proven faster for me and I find it less stressful, maybe because I'm far more familiar with it, but I try to do my mountain driving when tourists and RVs are off the road so my average speeds are higher than indicated by Google maps.
Since US50 and SR88 are open year-round, Tesla may decide to forgo SC placement along seasonal highways. If that is the case, we can only hope that they have the foresight to offer HPWC to the areas most affected, thereby increasing our choices at the cost of a 2-hour charge to get 120 miles or so of range if we purchased the dual chargers.
If that is the case, then Minden-Bishop would be doable in a 60 at about 175-180 rated miles. The HPWC could be in both Lee Vining and Bridgeport to goose our miles if we opted for the mountain passes.
When you say Minden-Bishop is that just southbound, or do you think it would work either way?
I wonder if Tesla researches the traffic counts on all the highways to determine the feasibility of where to install their Superchargers.
2012 Traffic Volumes on the California State Highway System
As you can see, average annual usage of US395 at Lee Vining vs. Bridgeport is about a 1,000 vehicle-per-day difference. The peak season difference is about 2,500 vehicles per day--likely late June through Labor Day. This volume may not be enough for Tesla to consider installing a SC in California north of Bishop. I would also guess that locals and law enforcement comprise about 15% of the volume during peak season, and less during the off-peak times.
Ooh, great resource! I'm not sure we're looking at the same numbers; I see 120/Peak Hour and 1,050/Peak Month for 108/Jct. 395, and 430/Peak Hour and 4,350/Peak Month for 120/Jct. 395, in the 2012 Traffic Volumes book, so somewhat greater difference than your peak #s. I certainly hope that Tesla uses traffic counts, but they need to consider how their customer demographic may show higher or lower % than the average driver might on various routes. As a for instance, I'd think that Tesla owners are more likely to visit the Wine Country than the average driver, and I suspect once the Model X comes out those owners will be far more likely to visit, Tahoe, Yosemite, Kings Canyon etc. than the average.