Tag: Charging

Tesla superchargers: Rainy day excursions

Posted in EVTagged , , , Leave a comment


Tesla Superchargers are a network of fast charging stations for Tesla electric vehicles. They are designed to provide convenience, reliability, and accessibility for Tesla owners and soon for other EV brands as well.

What others say:

  • Tesla Superchargers are available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and across the world, with more than 45,000 charging stalls.
  • Tesla Superchargers are easy to use, as the car’s app will show you nearby available chargers, as well as recommendations on where to stop along your route. You just need to plug the charger’s connector into the charging port on your Tesla.
  • Tesla Superchargers are reliable and dependable, as they are more likely to be in working order than other public DC fast chargers. They also offer fast charging speeds, though they vary depending on the charger and the car model.
  • Tesla Superchargers are accessible, as they are located in major cities, along the East and West Coasts, and in major East-West transit corridors. They also have nearby amenities, such as restaurants, shops, and restrooms.
  • Tesla Superchargers are currently exclusive to Tesla owners, but they will be opened to other EVs in the near future, starting with Ford and General Motors in 2024. This will expand the charging availability and convenience for other EV drivers, as well as challenge other automakers to cooperate with Tesla.
  • Tesla Superchargers are rated differently by Tesla and non-Tesla owners. Tesla owners tend to be satisfied with the network, while non-Tesla owners mark it down for ease of use and value for money. This may change when the network becomes more inclusive and competitive.

Overall, Tesla Superchargers are a strong selling point for Tesla vehicles, as they offer a fast, convenient, and reliable way to charge your EV. They are also expected to become more widely available and accessible for other EV brands in the future, which will benefit the EV market and the environment.

Tesla vehicles charging at a supercharger.

What I have to say:

I still recommend charging at home. Spending some time navigating to a charger is easy, but takes time in the day. It’s less convenient than a has gas station from a time point of view. You may have to wait 5 minutes to get your slot.

However! If you instead you embrace the chill vibes spirit of a relaxing road trip, the charging experiences become more enjoyable. Visit a new coffee ☕️ shop. See new sites and routes. Enjoy the gentle rain on your face. Since you’ll need to experience it, choose some joy.

Overall Tesla Supercharger Rating:

7 thunderstorms ⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️

Charging at Electrify America: When it rains and you need an umbrella

Posted in EVTagged , , , , Leave a comment

Driving an EV without a place to charge at home is not recommended. Sure the new ones can go three hundred miles… in perfect conditions… from 100% to 0%… and there’s that tiny reserve to get to the charger… 🚘.

But realistically you’ll charge your car to 80 or 90% to save the battery lifetime. Then you’ll charge it by 20 or 10%. And what car gets 100% of rating? 70+% of the rating is more likely if not driving with the most eco friendly feet 👣.

Ideally the home wall outlet of 1% of range per hour is enough (2-5 miles), or you installed a dryer outlet charger to get 5-10% of charge an hour. Then you only charge on roadtrips.

For everyone else, there’s Electrify America. So you’ll have to charge outside sometimes.

Charging today with the 50 KW rated, 48 KW actual Chademo Electrify America station, I can get where I need to go.. by waiting 30+ minutes. Fortunately it’s rush hour so the choice was sitting in traffic versus sitting in charger. I recommend the most relaxing for your blood pressure,

So please, install a home charger. Don’t fight the app to remember your log in, check if the charger is taken or not, check if it has broken or not on Plugshare recently, and sit at your favorite grocery store for half an hour.

Unless you have to. I’m glad they exist. But charging while you sleep is much more supreme.

Every KW counts.

Charging at Electrify America via CHADEMO:
4.8 Electric zaps ⚡️⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️