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Quite hilariously (or not), the media is fond of writing about “Tesla fighters” who will finally give Tesla* some competition. But the thing is, there isn’t a single actual “Tesla fighter” on the market. If you look at the list of electric cars on the market today, let’s first be frank and note that the only plug-in cars in the price vicinity of a Tesla Model S (240-270 miles of all electric range, 0–60 mph in 3.1 to 5.4 seconds, insane touchscreen & software/tech package) are the Cadillac ELR (only 37 miles of electric range, 4 seats, 0–60 mph in 7.8 seconds doesn’t compare, tech package doesn’t compare, but is reportedly a bit more plush), Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid (only 14 miles of electric range), Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid (only 22 miles of electric range), and Volvo V60 PHEV (only 31 miles of electric range according to generous European testing). The notes in parentheses explain well enough, but for a little backup, let’s look at US sales figures in 2015 so far (I don’t have solid European figures, so am leaving the Volvo V60 PHEV out):
- Tesla Model S = 11,254 (informed estimate)
- Cadillac ELR = 593
- Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid = 542
- Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid = 230
I rest my case...
In the other thread about toyota mirai someone mentioned they fuel cell cars look atractive because they sport similar use case as normal gas cars - filling stations.
People feel they will not have to change their usual habits.
SuperCharger network can and will fill similar, if not quite the same role for EVs:
- they will be all over the world, clearly marked and "advertised", at well known locations and reliable
- they may not come in same numbers as gas stations, but this will be mitigated with "you can also charge at home, you only need them on longer trips", there are also other charging places to "fill in the gaps"
- charging speed may not be quite the same as filling gas, but this will be mitigated with "it is free!"
In the other thread about toyota mirai someone mentioned they fuel cell cars look atractive because they sport similar use case as normal gas cars - filling stations.
People feel they will not have to change their usual habits.
Yep, it is quite a sad state of affairs. I think the key point - as time progresses - is really the Supercharger network: just like in the beginning when cell-phones came to market or when the Apple App Store was new and not every app was available on Google Play, the network effects of the Superchargers draw a ton of customers. Of course, in 20 years, the advantage of the supercharger network may diminish but until we reach 1000 miles per charge (or something in this magnitude) having the network will be essential (and it is essential that it is free - not for price reasons but for convenience reasons: no need to change money / get your credit card out / worry about payment servers being offline etc. - you plug-in, it charges - easy as that).
Seems pretty unlikely when Musk is already talking about sending note to frequent users. And there was some picture going around this weekend of a supercharger being completely filled up with 8 cars... now imagine what happens if they actually sell 500k in the near future. Have fun getting somewhere when there is a national holiday.icensing it to other manufacturers may prove very lucrative.
Seems pretty unlikely when Musk is already talking about sending note to frequent users. And there was some picture going around this weekend of a supercharger being completely filled up with 8 cars... now imagine what happens if they actually sell 500k in the near future. Have fun getting somewhere when there is a national holiday.
THIS!
Spot on with this comment. However it will be interesting to see what Tesla does with the asset of the network down the road. Licensing it to other manufacturers may prove very lucrative.
Seems pretty unlikely when Musk is already talking about sending note to frequent users. And there was some picture going around this weekend of a supercharger being completely filled up with 8 cars... now imagine what happens if they actually sell 500k in the near future. Have fun getting somewhere when there is a national holiday.
Why is that a problem? Even if cars are charging for an average of 45 minutes, that means a car is leaving every 3 minutes. People can wait for 3 minutes, or 6 minutes if there is another car waiting. It it's an average of 30 minutes charging, that's a car leaving every 2 minutes. People should expect they may have to wait a few minutes on a holiday weekend.In some areas of California we are already experiencing queues at the SC stations.
I visited the SC in Gilroy, CA over the Holiday weekend and found all 16 stations occupied.
Why is that a problem? Even if cars are charging for an average of 45 minutes, that means a car is leaving every 3 minutes. People can wait for 3 minutes, or 6 minutes if there is another car waiting. It it's an average of 30 minutes charging, that's a car leaving every 2 minutes. People should expect they may have to wait a few minutes on a holiday weekend.
So what happens when there are 2 or 3 or 4 cars waiting and a car pulls out of one of the chargers. Do you think those 4 people are going to do a first come first serve ... or first to get to that open slot gets it?!? Similar to drive up bank ATMs. If the 2, 3, or 4 people were queued physically or electronically then it would work much much better.Why is that a problem? Even if cars are charging for an average of 45 minutes, that means a car is leaving every 3 minutes. People can wait for 3 minutes, or 6 minutes if there is another car waiting. It it's an average of 30 minutes charging, that's a car leaving every 2 minutes. People should expect they may have to wait a few minutes on a holiday weekend.
So what happens when there are 2 or 3 or 4 cars waiting and a car pulls out of one of the chargers. Do you think those 4 people are going to do a first come first serve ... or first to get to that open slot gets it?!? Similar to drive up bank ATMs. If the 2, 3, or 4 people were queued physically or electronically then it would work much much better.
Lots of details about this elsewhere - at least if I am answering your question correctly.Not a problem. Just an observation on heavy use over the Holiday weekend.
I was able to get a spot within 10 minutes and a full charge in about an hour.
It seems that the charging amperage/voltage dropped to 80A/330V with heavy usage... is this normal?
Do you think those 4 people are going to do a first come first serve...
It looks like he's going to be opening the Superchargers up to other car manufacturers on a small *per hour* basis, which eliminates the vast overuse and queueing you get when something is "free".