Tesla electric-car users finally have their first Twin Cities “Supercharger” station — and it’s in the east metro.
Eight high-speed charging stalls have been set up adjacent to a Hy-Vee supermarket in Oakdale for Tesla owners at no charge.
The charging station is the latest in a rapidly growing U.S. network of Superchargers, and these allow Tesla enthusiasts to travel cross-country without running out of power on freeways or other nationwide arteries.
Mountain View, Calif.-based Tesla Motors as of this week boasted 705 charging Supercharger stations worldwide — including in the United States, Europe and the Far East — accounting for 4,359 individual stalls.
Each of these can get a Model S sedan to an 80-percent charge in 40 minutes.
Superchargers are installed in Duluth, Albert Lea, Baxter, Hinckley and Worthington, as well as in Eau Claire and La Cross, Wis. Such facilities are more often located in outlying areas between major cities than in urban centers.
But the Oakdale charging facility fills a major gap in the Supercharger network, according to local electric-car expert Jukka Kukkonen.
Prior to the urban Supercharger’s existence, he said, Tesla owners driving south from Duluth had to push through the metro area and on to Albert Lea, which caused them “range anxiety” as their batteries ran perilously low.
Oakdale is a better-placed stopping-off point for such drivers, as well as for Tesla enthusiasts going east or west on the Interstate 94 corridor, said Kukkonen, founder of PluginConnect, a Minnesota-based electric-car and electric-technology consulting firm.
The new power station is strategically located near a confluence of interstates 94, 494 and 694.
Its location by a Hy-Vee in a commercial area is no accident, either. Tesla typically tries to place its stations in spots where drivers can get coffee or a bite to eat while their cars are charging, instead of twiddling their thumbs by the side of a road.
Hy-Vee has a history of offering electric-car stations, including generic fast-charging or “level two” stations for use by any electric vehicle, Kukkonen said. The Oakdale Hy-Vee is among the stores with such charging, along with its eight Tesla Supercharger stalls.
Tesla owner Colt Majkrzak likes the Oakdale Supercharger station “because it gives us a bit more in the way of options.”
Majkrzak, a Monticello resident who commutes to his job in Minnetonka, said his “trek into the Cities, multiple stops and back can be a bit hair-raising at times.”
Majkrzak added, “My hope is other (retail locations) might be more willing to host a set of chargers themselves.” He even envisions convenience stores with electric versions of gas pumps “at a free or more reasonable rate.”
Tesla’s Oakdale charging station has been operational for a while, but gets its official debut this week.
“We are excited to invite you, your family and friends to attend an owner social and celebration of the Oakdale Supercharger Station,” Tesla said on its site about a Tuesday event. “New Supercharger Stations open every week, enabling more options for free long-distance travel.”
The stations have been free for owners of existing Model S, Model X and Roadster vehicles, but users of the upcoming lower-cost Model 3 sedans reportedly will have to pay for Supercharger use.
Superchargers give Tesla an edge over other electric-car makers, Kukkonen said.
Chevrolet this week announced its Bolt has been rated for 238 miles on one charge. This gives it a slight edge over the Model S and Model 3 — at least with entry-level versions of those vehicles.
However, Kukkonen said, Bolt owners would have a more challenging time crossing the country with non-Tesla charging stations in shorter supply outside of major cities. Non-Tesla electric vehicles can’t use the company’s Superchargers.
Separately, Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla has made deals with a handful of Twin Cities luxury hotels to install Tesla-ready chargers for use by guests, who are advised to consult with the valet for access.
