Tesla super charging stations almost worthless?

[JustBob]

Nice diagrams. I try to preach the “park to the right” mantra for us opposite charge port vehicles. And Teslas should try to park to the left first to leave space for non-Teslas.

I was wondering if Tesla drivers are being considerate and leaving end spots a.nd others that work better for non-Teslas? Or are some bitter that they have less availability now?

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[awp0]

I've had the chance to use my Ford-supplied adapter at Superchargers a couple of times. Yeah, I agree that taking two spots might feel a little uncomfortable for some people. But literally everything else about the experience has been so nice (well, maybe except the cost). But it just works, and it's fast, and it's often located near restaurants/etc.

 

[hack-e]

Of the 50+ charging sessions I've had now on Tesla Superchargers only 1 required me to park sideways. That station in Centerville, Tx just had the chargers pre-mounted to a very thick concrete slab that was just bolted on top of a concrete parking lot so that I could not get close enough. The 2nd time I charged at that station I was able to park at the right end of the slab with no problem. The good thing is that it was empty enough that first time that I could actually park sideways.

I don't worry about taking 2 charging spots except if the site is full and 1 more Tesla pulls up to charge, in which case I would move. But this has yet to actually happen.

 

[Tampamike]

Yes, for me charge rate seems higher so it will get to 80% faster.

Your charge rate will always drop like a rock at 80%, but I feel the Tesla station consistently stays above 100kW+ power delivery up till the 80% drop. EA seems to dip below 100kW much sooner. Keep in mind there's a ton of different variables at play here, so maybe I'm just luckier at Tesla

I’m gonna say that maybe that’s confirmation bias. You want it to be faster so it seems faster? Doesn’t the car actually tell the charger what it wants? That’s the whole charge curve thing, right?

 

[Tampamike]

Nice diagrams. I try to preach the “park to the right” mantra for us opposite charge port vehicles. And Teslas should try to park to the left first to leave space for non-Teslas.

Except, they don’t. Every time I go by a Tesla SC, I look to see if that far right spot is open. I’d say it’s about 60/40 “no,” even when it’s not a full one up. But, what are ya gonna do? It is what it is.

 

[AtomicInternet]

I’m gonna say that maybe that’s confirmation bias. You want it to be faster so it seems faster? Doesn’t the car actually tell the charger what it wants? That’s the whole charge curve thing, right?

The charge rate of 100kW is measurable, and I get more time over 100kW at Tesla than EA. If that means better cables or the adapter staying cooler and allowing for higher watts for longer who knows. I just know EA typically gets below 100kW rate long before the 80%, whereas Tesla stays there until the drop. I'll measure both over time and see if maybe EA hits higher peak charge rate, but then maybe the cables/transformer overheat and it dives. As I said, lots of variables I'm not aware of.

 

[markboris]

Thought I would throw this in the mix.

We just got 8 V4 Superchargers installed in our small town of barely 5000 population. While I charge at home exclusively on solar, I had to try out these new chargers. Some were sideways and some were flat oriented. With the new longer cord (3 meters) of these V4's, the Mach-E works at either of them without having to take up two spots.

Flat oriented charger, pulled up to it with about 18" to spare within the parking lines.

Side oriented charger with car close to the right side of the charger about 10" clearance. Cord has to be draped across the hood.

Side oriented charger backed in.

 

[Spike]

Lol, Is that you Mr. Farley?

Tesla charges people when they are charged up and let their car sit idle. You don’t think that if there was were multiple ford vehicles taking up more than one spot at a very busy super charger station that they wouldn’t charge more to make up the difference? I do.

They have no idea how many spaces you are taking up.

 

[TheVirtualTim]

Some of Tesla’s newer sites have pull-through stalls rather than “back in” stalls. It makes all of this MUCH easier.

As for the Tesla’s taking “every other” stall... Telsa Gen2 “chargers” can supply a max of 150kW. But each “charger” has two dispensers (cabinets). These will be labeled A vs. B … so adjacent stalls at a site would be labeled 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, etc. If someone is in, say… 2A but The 2B stall is empty then that person (in 2A) has access to the full 150 kW. But if a car pulls into 2B… they “share” the 150kW … so each car could only get up to 75 kW.

We can’t charge at Gen 2 sites (they don’t speak the CCS protocol). But this is why Tesla’s leave an empty space between cars.

BTW, I think that Gen 3 sites (which we can use) no longer have this problem. But once you’ve trained a lot of drivers to do this … it’ll take a while to unlearn.

 

[DustyShades]

I feel like this is just another post from one of the grumpy geriatric forum members that have to stretch to find something to be upset about because they’ve got nothing else to do in their retirement

 

[geeklifer]

I just used the Tesla chargers for the first time yesterday. The chargers were set back over a high curb, so nosing over didn't look possible without tearing up the bumper. Luckily, there was no one there the first time, so I parked sideways at the last charger with an open regular spot next to it. The second time through, there were 2 Teslas, including one blocking my "perfect" spot. I still parked sideways, but there was plenty of room for more folks to charge.

Of course, it helped that there was a set of the prior version of the Tesla chargers less than a block away and closer to the highway. Almost all the Teslas went there instead, which worked great since I couldn't use those.

 

[superdave80]

That's a thing? I just crap at the first urinal I find. I don't have time to think about the guy peeing next to me.

I thought I recognized you...

 

[Space_Pony]

So I have used a few super charging stations the last few weeks and it’s not easy. All of the stations close to me have really short cords and I have had to block two spots at a time at some really busy places.

There has also been two times that I could not charge even with some spots open because of the lack of reach of the cable. So I guess this isn’t all it’s cracked up to be after all.

Why would you charge at an expensive DCFC if they are close to your home? It seems it would be more economical to charge at home in your garage and you're guaranteed a charging space.

 

[Timelessblur]

As others pointed out you end up taking 2 spots and still a pain. End of the day it is Tesla poor and short sighted design decisions on the v3 chargers that causes the issue. Often times it is not more than a huge pain in the rear at non maxed out station.
This weekend I used one and took out 2 spots doing a big charge and the station go busy while I was there. I think I frustrated a few Tesla drivers as one had to move to spots after backing in and another just hand to weight to charge as it filled up while I was there.
Tesla v4 fixes the design issue has it uses longer cords.

 

[RickMachE]

Too many haven't actually looked to see IF they can pull in between two chargers. Tesla has removed bollards at many locations, and the curb will clear the underside, at least on the non-GT models. Pull up with camera, get out, check height (or have passenger check it). Pull forward with nose between both chargers. Plug in.

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