Reading about the congestion at some superchargers in California on high travel days got me thinking...
Obviously installing HPWC's is far cheaper then supercharger cabinets, but at the same time, the charging is much (much) slower.
Tesla has standardized on the single charger that for most is 48 amps stock, but is merely a software update away from being 72 amps. What if Tesla installed some (lots) of HPWC at some of the busier SC locations in California, and thanks to the miracle of GPS aware cars, unlocked the full potential of your onboard charger when you plugged into the HPWC at those locations? If you are stuck in line waiting for a supercharger for 30 minutes anyway, that's about 20-25 miles of charge (at 72 amp), and might be enough to either get you to the next supercharger, or at least will trim down a bit of time on the actual supercharger if one is freed up for you to use. Then when you leave the area, your car downgrades itself back to the 48 amp charger you ordered with the car. This temporary upgrade would only be in effect at select locations.
Obviously older single charger cars would be SOL, but older dual charger cars could take advantage at least.
This all hinges on the ability for Tesla to add a bunch of HPWC at supercharger locations of course, and it won't solve the problem, but it might help!
Obviously installing HPWC's is far cheaper then supercharger cabinets, but at the same time, the charging is much (much) slower.
Tesla has standardized on the single charger that for most is 48 amps stock, but is merely a software update away from being 72 amps. What if Tesla installed some (lots) of HPWC at some of the busier SC locations in California, and thanks to the miracle of GPS aware cars, unlocked the full potential of your onboard charger when you plugged into the HPWC at those locations? If you are stuck in line waiting for a supercharger for 30 minutes anyway, that's about 20-25 miles of charge (at 72 amp), and might be enough to either get you to the next supercharger, or at least will trim down a bit of time on the actual supercharger if one is freed up for you to use. Then when you leave the area, your car downgrades itself back to the 48 amp charger you ordered with the car. This temporary upgrade would only be in effect at select locations.
Obviously older single charger cars would be SOL, but older dual charger cars could take advantage at least.
This all hinges on the ability for Tesla to add a bunch of HPWC at supercharger locations of course, and it won't solve the problem, but it might help!
