First Tesla Superchargers with "Magic Dock" CCS Adapter are online... and charged up a Rivian

[kltye]

It looks like that EVGO is .55/kw. At that price it would have been cheaper to drive my previous ICE. Hopefully some competition will keep the rates from getting so high that an EV is not practical on the highway.

Competition has nothing to do with pricing currently. Selling electricity if you're not the power company is difficult to turn a profit - even moreso with DCFC. Equipment cost, site cost, and demand charges are $$$, on top of basic electricity cost.

I spoke to an engineer from Madison Gas & Electric - who are wholeheartedly supporting EVs - and he confirmed that practically no one in the business is making money right now selling electricity. Another nugget of information is that Tesla is happy to spend a ton of money on their Supercharger network. For instance, Tesla decided to move a site within an area, and were happy to write checks for whatever amount was needed to make that happen ASAP.

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[Space_Pony]

Competition has nothing to do with pricing currently. Selling electricity if you're not the power company is difficult to turn a profit - even moreso with DCFC. Equipment cost, site cost, and demand charges are $$$, on top of basic electricity cost.

I spoke to an engineer from Madison Gas & Electric - who are wholeheartedly supporting EVs - and he confirmed that practically no one in the business is making money right now selling electricity. Another nugget of information is that Tesla is happy to spend a ton of money on their Supercharger network. For instance, Tesla decided to move a site within an area, and were happy to write checks for whatever amount was needed to make that happen ASAP.

If DCFC prices go to $1, I'll be driving my 4wd pickup truck. It sounds kind of like the old bait and switch. They are trying to bait you with lower rates and when you're hooked, the prices will go up.

 

[kltye]

If DCFC prices go to $1, I'll be driving my 4wd pickup truck. It sounds kind of like the old bait and switch. They are trying to bait you with lower rates and when you're hooked, the prices will go up.

Businesses have to be able to get off the ground to begin with. It's the chicken-and-egg problem: If they can't scale up, they can't make money. If they can't make money, they can't scale up. There are lots of incentives out there to get DCFC prices lower for consumers at the beginning of this transition, but over time, those incentives are going to slowly dry up, letting the companies sink or swim on their own.

This isn't a conspiracy; it's well-known that DCFC takes a lot of financial investment. Demand charges are very real, and very high - something everyone is actively working to reduce. It's also why most networks are switching to per-station real time pricing.

Lower cost of fueling shouldn't be the sole reason for EV transitions, but I suspect I'm actively veering into dangerous territory there

 

[AZBill]

Kyle Connor did post a tweet of a new V3 location with Magic Dock that is awaiting activation. That would be the first Supercharger that opens with CCS compatibility.

There is a new site under construction in Glendale AZ with Magic Docks already installed, but has not opened yet. Probably missing the transformer, those seem to hold up a lot of new sites here.

 

[AZBill]

Businesses have to be able to get off the ground to begin with. It's the chicken-and-egg problem: If they can't scale up, they can't make money. If they can't make money, they can't scale up. There are lots of incentives out there to get DCFC prices lower for consumers at the beginning of this transition, but over time, those incentives are going to slowly dry up, letting the companies sink or swim on their own.

This isn't a conspiracy; it's well-known that DCFC takes a lot of financial investment. Demand charges are very real, and very high - something everyone is actively working to reduce. It's also why most networks are switching to per-station real time pricing.

Lower cost of fueling shouldn't be the sole reason for EV transitions, but I suspect I'm actively veering into dangerous territory there

In AZ during peak times EVGO is 0.69/kwh.

 

[dbsb3233]

 

[AZBill]

Maybe they are going to fill out the I-94 route going west, all those chargers are V3. Looking at the I-90 route, those are all the older V2 chargers.

 

[dbsb3233]

Maybe they are going to fill out the I-94 route going west, all those chargers are V3. Looking at the I-90 route, those are all the older V2 chargers.

I saw an unconfirmed report that said just that (MDs on I-94 thru North Dakota).

 

[Mach-Lee]

Well I took a field trip to test the Monticello, MN charger this weekend:

The biggest issue I had was trying to pull up close enough to use it. You have to get close, really damn close with the front splitter over the curb. That took me several attempts of getting out to look and to check clearances. The supercharger structure on this end was actually sticking up above the curb about an inch, which put it extremely close to the splitter:

GT vehicles may actually scrape this on the raised lip since they are lower, so be careful if you care. GT's might need some sort of ramp or something to increase clearance.

Charge rate was excellent the entire time with zero derates or glitches. They provide up to 350A and 470V. The Supercharger has the tightest amperage control of any DC charger I've ever used, by far. It gives the car EXACTLY what it asks for.

Peak power was 123 kW, which is the full 350A. 10-80% time was 41 minutes, which is about as fast as a Mach-E can charge. Cost was about $31 for a 10-80% charge.

Not bad. Other than the short cable and clearance issues, probably the best charge session I've ever had.

Suggest getting PPF on your lower bumper chin if you plan on using superchargers. You could also end up breaking your grille shutters if you force the chin into the curb.

 

[Billyk24]

Thanks for the write up. May put two pieces of 2 by 8 to roll the tires onto for increased lip clearance.

 

[dbsb3233]

Thanks for the write up. May put two pieces of 2 by 8 to roll the tires onto for increased lip clearance.

Or park diagonally, since a Tesla can't use that space to the left of the MME anyway (it would need that same charger). The corners of the MME curve inward, allowing the car to get maybe a half foot closer. It also puts the car's charge port a little closer via the shorter angle. And requires less bend in the cable. Probably adds up to about a foot total savings.

Of course, first choice is always grabbing a solo post, side post, or end post if they exist and have the extra clearance to park in a way that doesn't tie up 2 spots for Teslas that charge from the other side.

Fortunately that double-lip curb at that location is unusual. Never seen one sticking up above the curb like that.

 

[Eric_C_Boston]

Freshwater Commons in Enfield, CT appears to be a new station commissioned in late September.

 

[kodiakng]

it looks like wilsonville, oregon may be the first v4 supercharger dispenser installation:

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/posts/7849656/

the pics aren't clear enough to confirm magic docks but the housing looks big enough to hold one.

 

[AZBill]

I got these photos today of the new Glendale Az site. No transformer that I could find, so not open yet, but some of the parking is CCS friendly.

 

[tuminatr]

Looks like two were just added here in MN one in St Cloud and one in Alexandria. I will be going to Fargo in November that could give me a chance to try the Alexandria one

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