Is Tesla’s Supercharger Network the Answer to the country’s Infrastructure Problem? “People want reliable charging. It's a big concern” Laycee S. A few weeks back I had the opportunity to be on a panel at Electrify Expo Long Beach to discuss Tesla's supercharging network with Laycee, Tom Bowen and very well moderated by Emily Dreibelbis. There's 3 main points we discussed: 1) Everyone wants reliable EV charging - this is a given. Tesla has been the gold standard and not by a small amount. 2) Because of this, every OEM adopted NACS as the industry standard, and interoperability is a great thing. 3) The sudden firing of all Tesla’s Supercharger crew was shocking and ill conceived, throwing unnecessary doubt into the entire industry. Take a look at the full video at the link below for more. Which of these areas do you think is most important? Is Tesla Supercharging the answer? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below #automotive #batteries #climatechange #electricvehicles #innovation #sustainability #cleanenergy #renewableenergy More here https://lnkd.in/gqpuYY6S
Bill Crider
1w
I’ve driven all over the Midwest and South in my Tesla. Yes. I’ve never had to worry about charging one time or go out of my way. It’s just like driving a gas car. You get off the highway somewhere along the way and within a mile will be a charging station.
Edgar Chavez
1w
IMHO, "putting all your eggs in one basket" is always questionable - the Tesla Charging team kerfuffle drives that home, imo. Residential charging, which btw should include multi-dwelling properties (owned, rented) is correctly noted as extremely important - it lessens the pressure for private companies to overstretch their footprint. I actually think charging should be more of a public utility or some hybrid. Pretty sure everyone has their "choice thoughts" on the US Postal Service but reality is that the USPS's reach isn't matched - no private courier delivers to more zones (unprofitable) and in fact relies/partners with the USPS for "last mile" delivery. Electrification will likely require the same coverage (unprofitable zones). Relying on private, for profit companies will likely be challenging. "Change in strategy", "change in direction" are all too common reasons that at their core is profitability (absolutely nothing wrong with it, it is what businesses are for).
In Europe we have many Tesla superchargers and other car brands have access to the network. I have tested it in Spain near the French border and it worked perfectly. Nevertheless in Spain some towns and cities have CCS chargers where everyone can charge for free. I have seen many Tesla drivers using this. Btw, in Europe Tesla has adopted the CCS standard for DC charging.
Jon Holland
1w
Nothing compares...no charger anxiety when traveling in a Tesla.
Can't speak for other countries, but here in the UK the supercharger network is years ahead of any competitors in terms of reliability, availability and location. Primarily this is due to lack of investment from government and private companies. Leaving the UK well behind in terms of charging infrastructure compared to our European neighbours.
No it's not. Only battery swapping is the long term answer. Check out the NIO battery swapping ecosystem.
robert manz
1w
Agree, agree, agree.
Semi-Retired Consultant: Specializing in EV and other high-voltage Manufacture & Remanufacture: Battery, Powertrain, DFM, Factory Layout, Logistics, Strategy
16hI think NACS is the answer for EVs… at this moment in time. But not necessarily “Tesla Supercharging.” The world needs standards. It’s a horrible waste of effort and money when every company or country develops its own “standard.” That is no standard at all. But standards can evolve. For an example of this, just look at all the wall plug adapters you must carry when traveling around the world. But that doesn’t mean “standards” can’t or shouldn’t evolve over time. 120V, 60Hz (adopted in NA during the time of Edison) was the first standard AC power source… simply by virtue of being first. And NA is stuck with that, even though 240V (twice the voltage, but half the current) is better and safer. Now, 60Hz vs. 50Hz is a different question. And I argue that 240V at 60Hz (or perhaps even a higher frequency) would make a better worldwide standard. Fortunately, technology has made plug-in devices adaptable to differences in voltage, current, and frequency. And the same will likely become true for EVs. But it would be nice to not have to carry around several adapters.