North Bend seems like an obviously superior choice when compared with Issaquah or Bellevue. Less motivation for locals to charge and most importantly it's on the usual path (Highway 18) for people coming from Tacoma and south who are headed east on I-90. For the two reasons stated above, Bellevue and Issaquah are too far west.
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The Seattle Area Needs More Superchargers
- Thread starter EarlyAdopter
- Start date
DaveD
EVs Kick Gas!
The Snoqualmie Casino comes to mind. Also, the North Bend Premium Outlets has a big parking lot.
I agree, Tesla is really dropping the ball on WA state. Hopefully this will all change soon?
I will be getting a used S85 soon (luckily it's an 85 and not a 60/70)... It looks like I'll be putting off my Hoh rainforest trip off for a while -- as that peninsula is basically blank unless your staying at upscale hotels or plan on stopping/charging for long periods of time en route.
Additionally, extra trip planning in general is required for the many individuals who live in condos/apartments which don't have access to a charger. Spontaneous trips aren't exactly easy at this point. Many of the hikes I want to go on -- I now feel like they require tremendous planning and much extra time charging since no superchargers exist.
Come on Tesla, I got faith in you!
Btw, I live in Tacoma -- so some of the hiking trips take a bit longer..
I will be getting a used S85 soon (luckily it's an 85 and not a 60/70)... It looks like I'll be putting off my Hoh rainforest trip off for a while -- as that peninsula is basically blank unless your staying at upscale hotels or plan on stopping/charging for long periods of time en route.
Additionally, extra trip planning in general is required for the many individuals who live in condos/apartments which don't have access to a charger. Spontaneous trips aren't exactly easy at this point. Many of the hikes I want to go on -- I now feel like they require tremendous planning and much extra time charging since no superchargers exist.
Come on Tesla, I got faith in you!
Btw, I live in Tacoma -- so some of the hiking trips take a bit longer..
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Totally agree on north bend; though I expect the problem of people free loading on super chargers will become mote when the model III comes out as that population will out number us (by multiples) the high end/penny pinchers that over reached to get into a model S or X and those users will pay when they travel and won't complain as it will still be vastly cheaper that buying gas.
While I realize there are users that windup commuting and have to use the same super charger all the time as they move from one location to another.
I encountered a rural owner that was in such a category who justify buying a S because he could go to the local super charger to fill up and was complaining to me about the slow charge rate.
I would say that there should be a formula that says a single super charger can not be more than 25% of your monthly energy consumption, etc.
Anyway I do like using super chargers for long distance travel and would welcome north bend as a very quick coffee stop before I head up the pass in the winter...
While I realize there are users that windup commuting and have to use the same super charger all the time as they move from one location to another.
I encountered a rural owner that was in such a category who justify buying a S because he could go to the local super charger to fill up and was complaining to me about the slow charge rate.
I would say that there should be a formula that says a single super charger can not be more than 25% of your monthly energy consumption, etc.
Anyway I do like using super chargers for long distance travel and would welcome north bend as a very quick coffee stop before I head up the pass in the winter...
LovelyCarrot
Member
Guys it's misleading to say the Bellevue site has a Supercharger. They have a high amp charger for service use only while your car is being repaired or prepped for delivery. There's no public Supercharger in Bellevue.
The Key spot is something in the area of I-5 / I-405 / I-90 to meet most everyone needs as North Bend sound good as more open area for availability but will not help the people driving into Seattle for events and trying to find a charger to return back to there route home. Ellensburg Supercharger is 95 miles away from Seattle and not a flat drive. The Burlington Supercharger is 65 miles away from Seattle can be done fairly easy and Centralia Supercharger is 70 miles away from Seattle. so the junction of I-5 / I-405 / I-90 is the best location. Seattle holds many events and people drive the long distance to get to emerald city and just want to have a supercharger support there to allow them the return long distance drive to the next supercharger for there trip back home.
goneskiian
Active Member
Sure if they were committed to only doing one supercharger, it should be in or near Seattle, but thinking long term, putting Superchargers in North Bend, Southcenter and Alderwood Mall area would make the most sense. Putting one in any one of those locations would be a good start. Vastly preferable to the current situation lol.
I disagree. Putting SCs in all three areas is a waste to me. I think one near Seattle (even South Center) and one around North Bend would be better positioned. I would put one extra near Mt. Rainier area, probably somewhere on the way to Sunrise, for better NP access. With this and 101 being covered, WA would have pretty good coverage for the day trip.
goneskiian
Active Member
I think "a waste" is a bit strong. What exactly are they wasting? Superchargers don't cost them much money to install.
Telsa must start planning ahead for the numbers of 3's that will soon be on the road. Besides, choices are always a good thing.
SC is not planned for everyday charging according to Tesla - Although I am puzzled why there are so many SCs in Bay Area. Everything has cost and there is always finite number. If Tesla is planning on installing N number of SC stations and they want to optimize for trip, not daily commute, putting them in those locations does not meet the goal and, for many of us who want to make a trip just like we used to with ICE cars, it is a waste. I could have made a trip to Mt. Rainier, or other 100-150 miles trip, with SC access. I think it is ideal there is 60-100 miles between SCs. We need to think in big picture to make EV trip available just like ICE cars in order for EV more widely adopted.
Why do we care about Model 3? It has 200's range and SC is not included. There will be people who want to pay for SC, but unless Tesla says so, I don't think the purpose of SC doesn't change with Model 3 delivery.
republic
Member
The purpose of SCs will change over time. As a city-dweller, I'm constantly amazed at the one-sided arguments presented by suburban homeowners with their own private garages. Over half of Americans (and even more Europeans or Asians) don't live like that. I and many others would be willing to pay for SC access in cities. Elon's goal is to incentivize the electrification of the entire automotive fleet. Robust DC fast-charging infrastructure is instrumental to the urban part of that equation.
Sure, it might, if and when Tesla changes its specific goals. Never said it never will. The current priority is wider SC coverage since that is the current goal. We can talk about the city SC coverage when Tesla has that goal. It is a moot point to argue about it when it is just "will" and "might".
Btw, why does Tesla have to solve everything? Don't we have some sort of solutions in the city right now and if it is not enough, is it something that the market can solve, given there is enough demand, or something we can voice to our elected official as well? I think we should leverage non-Tesla solution and I believe that is why Tesla has the current priority, which no one else is taking on.
republic
Member
An oligopoly can be an inefficient market; thus far, it's been full of half-assed charging equipment and compliance-mobiles. Just as Tesla catalyzed the electrification of cars, Tesla will catalyze the electrification of fueling.
Tesla SCs are the only competent DC fast chargers in use, and by all indications that will remain true for the foreseeable future. CHAdeMO is like a charger designed by a committee of literature critics.
Once Tesla is done giving the "market" its comeuppance, the latter will get its act together.
Yes, I agree that elected officials can help smooth the transition. The Seattle area (where I lived for years) needs SCs to facilitate long-distance travel as well. It's a geographically complicated region that's difficult to cover properly.
goneskiian
Active Member
@msgfromside3 - I see you're new here, welcome to the world of Tesla. When I joined this site and the official Tesla forums there were exactly ZERO Superchargers and less than 100 Model S's on the road. I've seen (and had) this argument for years and it's tiring. We're on the same side. Choices for EV owners is a good thing be they long distance travelers or folks who don't have overnight (or at work) access to charging. More options are coming from both Tesla and others. It's going to be fun (and I'm sure frustrating at times too) to see how this all plays out. Enjoy the ride!
Cheers!
Cheers!
I drive 146 miles a day and in beginning there was no SC, after one in my driving path on way home I charge daily about a year. Then one day I figured out my 45 min sitting topping off car for next day cost me more in time than just charging in garage after got home as my personal home time means alot. I do SC here and there when I have extra activities after work as not have time to wait for home charger. 135k on my Model S
Just finished a drive from Leavenworth, WA to Centralia, WA. A supercharger on the outskirts of Seattle would definitely help make the trip less scary range-wise. It took almost 90% of my 75D's battery to make the drive (a 200 mile trip) and it's not even that cold yet. I left Leavenworth with 100%.
RobertSeattle
Member
You are probably aware of this, but I used the AeroVironment CHAdeMO at Suncadia (and had a nice lunch...) when I had a similar routing.
EV-lutioin
Active Member
Now tat Tesla will be charging for supercharging, I think you will see several more in the Seattle area. It seems like new superchargers are popping up everywhere since the announcement. One in Fish Camp, CA was not even reported on until construction was complete.... total surprise.
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