500 mile Tesla SuperCharger road trip = SUCCESS

[4sallypat]

Tesla SuperCharger 500 mile road trip report.

This past holiday weekend using only Tesla SuperChargers w/ NACS-CCS adapter from A2Z.

Thanks to @A2ZEV for shipping their Tesla NACS-CCS1 DCFC adapter just in time for a Southern California to Northern California road trip this holiday weekend.

Historically driving on California state route 99 has been difficult in the past having to hunt around for a few working & available L3 chargers off the freeways at some random places (sketchy places) around Bakersfield, and Fresno, CA.

This time, using Tesla's SuperChargers, was amazing - lower cost, lots of working & available chargers, conveniently next to freeways and located at great shopping & restaurants.

Tesla charging exclusively for this trip except for charging at my parent's house.
Tesla drivers came around looking strange while I was charging, asked questions and was overall happy opening up their network.

Parking at Tesla stalls did create confusion as Tesla drivers would back into a slot that had a charger being used as their app does not show it's occupied. Had to let the drivers know that I was using the charger on the right side.

Locating a Tesla charger was not seamless while driving as it's not integrated with Ford Navigation.

Used the Tesla app on my cell phone to locate chargers.
Never had to wait - always available Tesla chargers.
Experienced true plug and charge with Ford EV - no need to use an app or swipe a card.
Future driving will be so much less stress, hassle, and no waiting - never going back to EA or EVGo with their higher prices either.

 

[markboris]

Great writeup Pat! I go to Fresno airport every other month or so and always charge at the EV stations at Walmart in Madera on HWY 99. I've never had to wait or had issues charging but I'm also looking forward to using my new A2ZEV adapter I received last week. I only need to DCFC once or twice a month driving to airports but it will be less stressful knowing there are many more options for charging to choose from.

 

[Electric Goat]

Tesla SuperCharger 500 mile road trip report.

epic pic

 

[stealthytolkien]

I wanna see posts where the Mach E is blocking two spots, every other spot is taken, and Teslas are waiting in line and the post shares their facial expressions captured!

 

[737flyer]

I guess the plug and charge worked with the off brand adapter!

 

[mdolan92869]

How was mating of the adapter to the cable? Was the locking switch any problem?

 

[VaporTrails]

I see your 500 and raise you 400! Great write up! I plotted a route that would use the v4 MagicDock. Used Tesla app on outbound trip and P&C on return. Other than some confusion on which v4 stalls had the actual dock, I finally just employed a minesweeper technique. If it made a “chunk” sound when I held the button, it had a MagicDock. PlugShare did not indicate what stalls had one. I am looking forward to the adapter adding options. Unfortunately my routes still depend on EA. The new Mercedes/Chargepoint infrastructure is also fairly solid.

 

[AhardFSU]

I'm really surprised that the Tesla navigation didn't show the Tesla drivers that the stall you were charging at was in-use.

 

[Rpellicciotti]

I see your 500 and raise you 400! Great write up! I plotted a route that would use the v4 MagicDock. Used Tesla app on outbound trip and P&C on return. Other than some confusion on which v4 stalls had the actual dock, I finally just employed a minesweeper technique. If it made a “chunk” sound when I held the button, it had a MagicDock. PlugShare did not indicate what stalls had one. I am looking forward to the adapter adding options. Unfortunately my routes still depend on EA. The new Mercedes/Chargepoint infrastructure is also fairly solid.

This is a newbie question for me. Is there a way in the Tesla app or FordPass to identify which Tesla chargers are Magic Dock?

 

[dbsb3233]

When I read the title, my first thought was "I'm surprised you could find 3 V3 stations in a row for a 500 mile drive". But then I read "California".

 

[dbsb3233]

This is a newbie question for me. Is there a way in the Tesla app or FordPass to identify which Tesla chargers are Magic Dock?

It's easiest doing it via the website.

https://www.tesla.com/findus

Superchargers = Tesla only
Superchargers Open to Other EVs = MagicDocks
Supercharger Open to NACS = Adapter-capable

You can do it in the Tesla app too but it's a tad trickier. First make sure you have a non-Tesla registered as your vehicle in the app. Then there's a spot that asks if you have an adapter. If you say No, you'll see only MagicDocks. If you say Yes, you see both MDs + Adapter stations.

I'm not sure about FordPass. I don't use it for finding chargers.

**added**
I've already dropped a webpage link icon on my phone next to my Tesla app with that webpage. I refer to it quite a bit.

 

[AhardFSU]

This is a newbie question for me. Is there a way in the Tesla app or FordPass to identify which Tesla chargers are Magic Dock?

You do it the Tesla website by only selecting 'Superchargers open to other evs' on the supercharger map. I haven't seen a way to do this in the Tesla app nor Ford Pass, but maybe someone else knows how to do it those apps.

 

[4sallypat]

How was mating of the adapter to the cable? Was the locking switch any problem?

A2Z adapter was overall easy based on others who have used it.

Tesla plug fits easily into the adapter but the locking slide is a bit hard to engage.
If you don't engage the locking slide 100%, it will not charge.

Removal was easier as the slide worked itself.

I put on some WD-40 on the slide mechanism that locks the Tesla plug and it's a bit easier now.

Wish @A2ZEV would put a small bump or serrate the surface to get a better grip.

 

[4sallypat]

Great writeup Pat! I go to Fresno airport every other month or so and always charge at the EV stations at Walmart in Madera on HWY 99. I've never had to wait or had issues charging but I'm also looking forward to using my new A2ZEV adapter I received last week. I only need to DCFC once or twice a month driving to airports but it will be less stressful knowing there are many more options for charging to choose from.

Thanks!

I will also sometimes fly into FAT from ONT/LAX but with how well the Tesla SC worked out this trip, I might have to drive more...

The locations where Tesla SC are located makes it very enjoyable; unlike CP, EA, EVGo that are located in some sketchy areas or at 7-11 or Taco Bells....

Here is Riverview part of North Fresno where I was mostly at - Tesla has cool locations at major shopping & dining areas.

The only issue I had was that I would take up a single space, but inconvenience 2 Tesla drivers (one that thinks the space is open on my left side and the other who thinks my space is blocking the charger on the right).

Had to explain as Tesla drivers tried to back in - why my EV charges on the other side....

 

[4sallypat]

I'm really surprised that the Tesla navigation didn't show the Tesla drivers that the stall you were charging at was in-use.

From what I am told by other Tesla drivers, the app shows available chargers but not parking stalls.

Yes, it was a bit confusing for Tesla drivers that were trying pull in and charge while I was charging.

I took up the right side of the charger while a Tesla on my left would try to back into it and I would have to tell them that I am using it.

Another Tesla driver, pulls up on the right side and looks puzzled as the space is taken....

Weird I know...

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