Tesla is doubling its global Supercharger network in preparation for mainstream Model 3 EV
Electric car maker has revealed plans to upgrade its recharging network across the globe to make EVs more accessible
Electric car giant Tesla Motors has outlined its plans for expanding its fast-charging network.
The company says it is going to double its global network of ‘Superchargers’ to include more inner-city chargers as well as expanding existing locations along major travel routes.
The move is largely motivated by the imminent introduction of the Model 3, the company’s first mass-market vehicle. So far it has only built products for the premium market, with plans to start production of its new, more affordable saloon in the summer.
In a blog post, the company said: “It is extremely important to us and our mission that charging is convenient, abundant, and reliable for all owners, current and future.”
At present, there are 5,400 Superchargers across the planet for more than 200,000 Teslas, with a further 9,000 locations such as restaurants and hotels using Tesla Wall Connectors to offer ‘Destination Charging’.
By the end of the year, the company wants to have 10,000 Superchargers and 15,000 Destination chargers in its global network. According to the company’s website, there are 17 chargers currently being built in the UK and Ireland.
However, owners are encouraged to use the network as a range extender, using their home for the majority of charging.
As such, most Superchargers are along motorways or busy retail centres, but it appears that Tesla is changing that ethos with the Model 3.
Its existing customer base is typically wealthy and is therefore more likely to have a home with a driveway that makes home charging easy.
But with the Model 3 expected to start from around £30,000, its inner-city customer base is expected to rise – for those living in flats or parking on the street, home charging might not be feasible.
With this in mind, Tesla says that as part of its expansion, “many sites will be built further off the highway to allow local Tesla drivers to charge quickly when needed, with the goal of making charging ubiquitous in urban centres”.
