Tesla Supercharger network

[AMPd]

How much traffic? Tesla aren't building a stadium, 10 chargers aren't exactly going to grid lock your roads
Some of these elected officials are just downright dumb!

 

[Cheerose]

One of the "no" votes asks "how much traffic will we see?" Dude, do a little internet research. How hard is it to find "Tesla Superchargers" in a search engine? Pick up the phone and talk to Gilroy or Harris Ranch?

Seriously, no research before you make up your mind about your vote?

Maybe they meant it would be unwanted traffic?

Maybe it's not unwanted traffic ... but he was asking how much more traffic/business that that area of town would expect to get?
In any event, more Superchargers are a good thing!

 

[jeff_adams]

Maybe it's not unwanted traffic ... but he was asking how much more traffic/business that that area of town would expect to get?
In any event, more Superchargers are a good thing!

People with higher levels of income will be going out of their way to stop there. Charging times could easily approach an hour. Restaurants and stores are going to LOVE those kinds of customers.

The demographics should make ANY mall manager drool. Basic research should make the decision a "no brainer"

 

[Cheerose]

I agree -- the one thing that is holding my wife up about being 100% behind me getting a MS (she's about 75-80% there) is the charging. If there was a SC network in the Southeast, it might be the tipping point for her.

 

[scaesare]

How much traffic? Tesla aren't building a stadium, 10 chargers aren't exactly going to grid lock your roads
Some of these elected officials are just downright dumb!

I suspect only 1 out of a 1000 people understand what supercharging is, and what the logistics are for their use. Up to that point, the likely model they have in their mind is "Gas station for electric cars". So I would expect an official to be doing their due diligence in asking questions like these.

Why the insult?

 

[gregincal]

Although nothing unexpected, it's an interesting peek into the terms that Tesla is negotiating for Superchargers. Presumably they feel ten stalls is enough for the foreseeable future. You figure even if full, with an average charging time of 45 minutes to an hour you would expect a car to turn over every 5 minutes. That's the hopeful future of a busy Tesla charging station a few years from now.

 

[Dave EV]

Update: Vote was 5-2 in favor...

Why would anyone vote no?

It costs the city basically nothing - the cost of 2 parking spots initially. Tesla assumes all other costs. Seems like a win-win. The only drawback would be if the super-chargers are never used, but I highly suspect that won't be the case. It appears to be in a perfect location between St Louis and Chicago.

 

[FlasherZ]

Why would anyone vote no?

It costs the city basically nothing - the cost of 2 parking spots initially. Tesla assumes all other costs. Seems like a win-win. The only drawback would be if the super-chargers are never used, but I highly suspect that won't be the case. It appears to be in a perfect location between St Louis and Chicago.

The first city councilcritter made a remark about them only being for Tesla vehicles and having concern that they'd have to do this for a bunch of different brands. The second councilcritter made a remark that (paraphrasing) only rich people from Chicago would drive down with them because they cost so much, so how much business would it really generate anyway?

One of the comments that popped up immediately was that he expected the city not give Tesla a single dime, even if virtually in the real estate associated with 2 parking spots, because:

The quick charging battery technology has really improved over recent years, but my complaint mostly hinges around whether one wants the government to support the exercise or the benefactors to support the exercise. I want private enterprise to support the exercise like a fueling station, but on private real estate, with private $$$s, as you have had to do so far. The idea that it is somehow partially my responsibility to provide Telsa public fueling access while drivers are shopping or dining is certainly socialism in practice, not capitalism.

Many of our citizens need to brush up on history... my response:

In this case, the only difference is in real estate. Tesla is paying for the electricity, for the charger equipment, for the installation, etc. But in any real transformation, you have to think about things differently. Just like filling stations weren't always stand-alone entities, electric vehicle refueling will need to grow as well. Prior to the build-out of gas stations, you took your car to a nearby hardware store, blacksmith shop, or -- yes, in some instances -- city hall to fill up.

 

[SFOTurtle]

The first city councilcritter made a remark about them only being for Tesla vehicles and having concern that they'd have to do this for a bunch of different brands. The second councilcritter made a remark that (paraphrasing) only rich people from Chicago would drive down with them because they cost so much, so how much business would it really generate anyway?

Funny, I've stopped in Davis a total of four times now on road trips just because it has a 70A charging station. We've had coffee, dined and/or shopped there each time. We never would have stopped there but for this 70A charging station.

 

[daveruns]

Tesla Motors to install chargers in Normal parking deck

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2 hours ago • By Mary Ann Ford | [email][email protected][/email]
(6) Comments


NORMAL — Owners of Tesla electric vehicles soon will be able to charge them at the Uptown Station parking deck.
The Normal City Council on Monday voted 5-2 to allow Tesla Motors to install up to 10 of its “supercharger” stations in the deck. Tesla will cover all costs and also will maintain the stations.
The agreement is for five years with two options to extend it for five years.
Councilmen Jeff Fritzen and Scott Preston voted against the pact.
“I’m supportive of the EV Town initiative … but I’m hesitant here,” said Fritzen noting the Tesla “supercharger” stations can only be used with the Tesla vehicles.
“The industry shouldn’t expect communities to install different charging stations,” he said. “Where’s it going to stop?”
Preston said Tesla has a limited market for its vehicles — which cost upward of $60,000 — and the closest dealer is in Chicago.
“How much traffic will we see?” Preston asked.
The vehicles have the capability of traveling 300 miles before needing a charge. While they can recharge on the Level 2 charging stations already around the Twin Cities, it would take 4 to 6 hours for a full charge.
Tesla’s supercharger stations complete a full charge in less than an hour.
While Councilman Chuck Scott said he wasn’t keen offering parking spaces for the Tesla stations, if the owners drive from Chicago and eat in Normal while the vehicle is being charged, “I’m excited to see them in town.”
“I see this as a marketing expense,” said Mayor Chris Koos. “It raises awareness of our community.”
Tesla plans to conduct a marketing campaign to let its vehicle owners know where they can go to find a charging station — including Normal.
City Manager Mark Peterson said initially only two stations will be installed.

 

[sp4rk]

Given that we're hearing about a lot more chargers are about to be deployed, does it concern anyone but me that the first bit of news we'd hear would indeed come from a source such as this?
Which makes me wonder if it's going to be a long time before we see any in the flesh?
True, it would only take week or two to build these out physically, but months with the politics.
I'm concerned we've not heard a peep out of any other village boards ... unless the other locations are on private land ... but they'd still need a permit. Would that permit process generate a modicum of press?

 

[daveruns]

I agree. Seems like a long time since we have heard any news on this front. Musk is forming a pattern of making a big splash with news and that may explain some of this. I have also heard from very unreliable source that they have made another breakthrough on charging time and have been intentionally delaying the process until perfected as it requires different hardware. In any case, more transparency on this would be helpful for Tesla owners who might like to make travel plans.

 

[gregincal]

They've said they're making their supercharger announcement next week, so they're certainly not going to say anything before that. All the existing stations are on private land, so I expect this one is the exception rather than the rule. It's not like we learned of the permits in any of the previous locations.

 

[AnOutsider]

They've said they're making their supercharger announcement next week, so they're certainly not going to say anything before that. All the existing stations are on private land, so I expect this one is the exception rather than the rule. It's not like we learned of the permits in any of the previous locations.

Leon pushed it back a week. I believe he said earnings call next week then SC announce,ENT the following week in a recent tweet.

 

[wraithnot]

Leon pushed it back a week. I believe he said earnings call next week then SC announce,ENT the following week in a recent tweet.

He tweeted "Earning call next week, then Supercharger week after and then... the mystery announcement/demonstration " on Friday May 3rd. The earnings call is scheduled for Wednesday May 8th so I take the tweet to mean the supercharger announcement will be sometime between Sunday May 12th and Saturday May 18th.

 

[AMPd]

I suspect only 1 out of a 1000 people understand what supercharging is, and what the logistics are for their use. Up to that point, the likely model they have in their mind is "Gas station for electric cars". So I would expect an official to be doing their due diligence in asking questions like these.

Why the insult?

Shouldnt the official do some research prior to the vote other than just ask questions and then vote no on the spot.
Not only will this bring business into their town but it will cost the city absolutely nothing.

I guess I did go a bit far with the insult but I just don't understand why they voted no? If they had done their due diligence then there should be no reason to vote no.

 

[gregincal]

He tweeted "Earning call next week, then Supercharger week after and then... the mystery announcement/demonstration " on Friday May 3rd. The earnings call is scheduled for Wednesday May 8th so I take the tweet to mean the supercharger announcement will be sometime between Sunday May 12th and Saturday May 18th.

Exactly, earnings call is this week, supercharger announcement was week after next last week, now it's next week. :wink:

 

[jeff_adams]

Shouldnt the official do some research prior to the vote other than just ask questions and then vote no on the spot.
Not only will this bring business into their town but it will cost the city absolutely nothing.

I guess I did go a bit far with the insult but I just don't understand why they voted no? If they had done their due diligence then there should be no reason to vote no.

Yep. They probably didn't know the right questions to ask, but you have to do at least some research before voting. The city is counting on them to make smart financial decisions.

If they had the knowledge and decided to vote no, I would have disagreed but respected that choice.

 

[AMPd]

Yep. They probably didn't know the right questions to ask, but you have to do at least some research before voting. The city is counting on them to make smart financial decisions.

If they had the knowledge and decided to vote no, I would have disagreed but respected that choice.

I would have respected the decision if it benefited the residents of the city
not spending a dime and getting more customers for your local businesses is good, voting against it is not in the best interest of the city

For example Harris Ranch SC, the restaurant has received a lot of business from Tesla drivers, same will happen for this town.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Tesla Motors to install chargers in Normal parking deck

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2 hours ago • By Mary Ann Ford | [email][email protected][/email]
(6) Comments


NORMAL — Owners of Tesla electric vehicles soon will be able to charge them at the Uptown Station parking deck.
The Normal City Council on Monday voted 5-2 to allow Tesla Motors to install up to 10 of its “supercharger” stations in the deck. Tesla will cover all costs and also will maintain the stations.
The agreement is for five years with two options to extend it for five years.
Councilmen Jeff Fritzen and Scott Preston voted against the pact.
“I’m supportive of the EV Town initiative … but I’m hesitant here,” said Fritzen noting the Tesla “supercharger” stations can only be used with the Tesla vehicles.
“The industry shouldn’t expect communities to install different charging stations,” he said. “Where’s it going to stop?”
Preston said Tesla has a limited market for its vehicles — which cost upward of $60,000 — and the closest dealer is in Chicago.
“How much traffic will we see?” Preston asked.
The vehicles have the capability of traveling 300 miles before needing a charge. While they can recharge on the Level 2 charging stations already around the Twin Cities, it would take 4 to 6 hours for a full charge.
Tesla’s supercharger stations complete a full charge in less than an hour.
While Councilman Chuck Scott said he wasn’t keen offering parking spaces for the Tesla stations, if the owners drive from Chicago and eat in Normal while the vehicle is being charged, “I’m excited to see them in town.”
“I see this as a marketing expense,” said Mayor Chris Koos. “It raises awareness of our community.”
Tesla plans to conduct a marketing campaign to let its vehicle owners know where they can go to find a charging station — including Normal.
City Manager Mark Peterson said initially only two stations will be installed.

You have to be kidding me.

How many months before an Illinois owners group does a trip and a photo shoot at the chargers.

"Tesla Model S: The New Normal"