Summary
– Elon Musk announced that Tesla still plans to grow the Supercharger network with a focus on 100% uptime and expansion of existing locations
– There are still significant EV charging gaps in the United States, even with Tesla’s network coverage
– Other companies are starting to fill in some of the charging gaps that Tesla hasn’t addressed
– Expansion at existing sites makes a lot of sense now that Tesla is focusing on uptime and existing locations
– Businesses in non-funded charging gaps need to connect with EV charging companies to bring innovative solutions to those areas
Article
The recent firing of Tesla’s Supercharger team raised concerns about the company’s future plans for expanding the Supercharger network. Despite the team’s dismissal, Elon Musk reassured the public that Tesla still intends to grow the network, but at a slower pace with a focus on 100% uptime and existing location expansion. With more companies switching to Tesla’s NACS plug and accessing the Supercharger network, many believed Tesla would be the solution to EV charging. However, there are still significant gaps in the charging infrastructure in the United States, even for Tesla owners.
While Tesla has made progress in covering interstates and rural routes, there are still gaps that need to be addressed, especially as more EVs hit the road. Other companies are stepping in to fill some of these gaps, but the challenge remains in providing charging options for areas with low EV traffic. The upcoming Infrastructure Bill (NEVI) will help, but only covers certain highways, leaving out many state and U.S. numbered highways. As a result, businesses in non-funded areas need to collaborate with EV charging companies to bring innovative solutions to these regions.
The focus now is on finding ways for everyone to contribute to solving the issue of charging infrastructure gaps. This could involve investing in smaller charging companies, educating communities about EVs, or supporting projects like Charge to the Parks, which aims to improve EV charging accessibility, especially in rural areas. The project involves traveling to national parks in an EV to demonstrate the feasibility of EV travel, provide resources for new EV drivers, and connect rural businesses with charging companies. By working together and utilizing individual talents and resources, progress can be made in expanding the charging network.
Efforts like Charge to the Parks serve as a benchmark for assessing the state of the EV charging network, particularly in rural areas. By demonstrating the capability of EVs and providing support for EV drivers, projects like these can help pave the way for future growth and accessibility of charging stations. Collaboration between businesses, charging companies, and EV advocates can help bridge the gaps in charging infrastructure and contribute to the overall goal of promoting EV adoption and sustainability in the United States.
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