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Ultra-fast charging networks to challenge Tesla Superchargers

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9 years ago

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Tucumcari Supercharger in New Mexico [Credit: Marcos]

European automakers are about to make a major commitment to developing an ultra-fast charging network that can rival that of Tesla’s Supercharger network. Reuters reports that Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen and American automaker, Ford, plan to build 400 ultra-fast charging stations in Europe that will be capable of power levels triple that of Tesla’s existing fast-charging Supercharger stations.

Fast chargers in Europe

At the moment, there are more than 72,000 public chargers in Europe but only 5,800 of those are what the International Energy Agency calls “fast” chargers, which means they have 43 kW of power or more. By contrast, a Tesla Supercharger operates at between 120 and 135 kW.

While Tesla has been busy investing in the global expansion of its charging infrastructure, other major car companies have been waiting on the sidelines for private companies or governments to build the infrastructure needed to power their electric car models. Some allege this foot dragging is proof that mainstream car companies are really not all that interested in building electric cars in the first place.

Diesel cheating changes everything

The Volkswagen  diesel cheating scandal that broke in September of 2015 changed that calculus, however. In the aftermath, it emerged that the only difference between Volkswagen and most other manufacturers was that it got caught. Cheating was rampant throughout the industry. Suddenly, the car companies had to face the fact that “clean diesel” technology was a false hope and that they needed another strategy to meet the looming European Union emissions standards.

Automakers respond

Volkswagen is seeking to dig itself out of the hole it dug for itself by repositioning itself as a maker of primarily electric cars. Now it is partnering with BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Ford to devise and construct a network of ultra-fast charging stations.

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The goal is to install 350 kW charging stations throughout Europe, using the CCS charging standard. Each station is said to approximately €200,000 each. Interestingly, Tesla is also a member of the CCS consortium.

The car makers are partnering with experts from the European power and engineering industry. Germany companies Innogy, E.ON and Siemens are involved as well as Portugal’s Efacec. “This is a structured and concerted effort across sectors to tackle the infrastructure issue in a real way,” a source tells Reuters.

ChargePoint weighs in

At the recent CES 2017 show, ChargePoint unveiled its own vision of the future — Express Plus, a modular and scalable system of chargers with up to 400 kW of power. The ChargePoint system is built around one common component — a charging blade with 31 kW of power. Each charging station can have one or two blades installed. The chargers can network together to boost power to any unit in use or they can be linked to a Power Cube, a separate component containing 16 blades with a total of 496 kW of power.

Because it is scalable, the ChargePoint system can expand to provide more power for charging electric vehicles as demand increases. This could one day supply the needs of heavy duty electric buses and tractor trailers.

Elon hints of big things to come

As the market for electric cars grows, traditional car makers are going to find it easier to catch up with Tesla, said Graham Evans, automotive analyst at IHS Markit. “Tesla doesn’t really have anyone to answer to, they are independent,” he said. “(But) I think that further out the big (automakers) are in a better position to capitalize because of their more extensive resources.”

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Navigant Research analyst Lisa Jerram said the number of players in the emerging EV fast charging market to build ultra-fast charging stations makes it difficult to call out a winner yet. “Development is underway on these chargers so there isn’t a leader at this point,” she notes.

Recently, Elon Musk scoffed at the suggestion that the charging network the European companies are working on will be a big deal. He tweeted that 350 kW of power was merely a “children’s toy,” hinting that Tesla has much bolder goals.

As usual, Tesla will likely remain 3 moves ahead of the industry.

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"I write about technology and the coming zero emissions revolution."

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Tesla pushes crazy ‘Luxe’ incentive package on flagship Model S and X

Tesla is pushing more customers to the Model S and Model X with a new incentive package.

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2 hours ago

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August 16, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has pushed a crazy new incentive package, known as the “Luxe Package,” on the flagship Model S and Model X, along with a $10,000 price increase on each trim level.

The move aims to likely bolster margins for the company on the two cars while also giving those who choose to buy the Tesla lineup mainstays a variety of awesome advantages, including Free Supercharging, Full Self-Driving, and other add-ons.

Tesla is offering a crazy Supercharging incentive on its two ‘sentimental’ vehicles

Last night, Tesla launched the “Luxe Package” for the Model S and Model X, which includes the following four add-ons:

  • Full Self-Driving (Supervised) – Your car will be able to drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention
  • Four-Year Premium Service – Wheel and Tire Protection, Windshield Protection, and Recommended Maintenance
  • Supercharging – Charge for free at 70,000+ Superchargers worldwide
  • Premium Connectivity – Listen to music, stream movies, monitor live traffic, and more – no Wi-Fi needed

Full Self-Driving is priced at $8,000. Free Supercharging for the life of the car is between $10,000 and $15,000 over the life of the vehicle, although Tesla has valued it at $5,000 in recent promotions.

Free Premium Connectivity is roughly $1,000, and the four-year tire, wheel, windshield, and maintenance plan is about $3,200.

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In all, the value is over $25,000, but this is loosely based on usage.

The Model S and Model X are low contributors to Tesla’s overall sales figures, as they make up less than five percent of sales from a quarterly perspective and have for some time.

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As they are certainly the luxury choices in Tesla’s lineup, the Model 3 and Model Y are the bigger focus for the company, as a significantly larger portion of the company’s sales is made up of those vehicles.

The Luxe Package is an especially good idea for those who drive high-mileage and plan to use the Model S or Model X for commuting or long drives. The free Supercharging makes the deal worth it on its own.

As for the price bumps, each of the vehicles are now priced as follows:

  • Model S All-Wheel-Drive: $94,990
  • Model S Plaid: $109,990
  • Model X All-Wheel-Drive: $99,990
  • Model X Plaid: $114,990
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Tesla Roadster could have a formidable competitor with BYD’s 3000-HP supercar

The Roadster is one of the most anticipated vehicles of all time, especially because we’ve all had to wait so long for it. On its own, it will have a 1.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate, which is projected to be better than the 2.3 seconds the U9 Track Edition will offer.

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4 hours ago

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August 16, 2025

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The Tesla Roadster is on the way, and yes, we know we’ve heard that for quite a few years. But when it comes, it might have a formidable competitor, and it might come from no one other than Chinese rival BYD.

BYD’s Yangwang U9 Track Edition is a new configuration of the U9 supercar that hit the Chinese Ministry of Information Technology (MIIT) database recently.

The vehicle was first spotted on the MIIT database by CarNewsChina. It will have a quad-motor powertrain, each dedicated to one wheel. Instead of the 1,287 horsepower that comes with the standard U9 configuration, the Track Edition will have 2,977.

There are only two cars that even come close in terms of horsepower: the Lotus Evija with 1,972 and the Rimac Nevera at 1,914 horsepower. The Tesla Roadster is expected to have somewhere around 1,000 horsepower.

The Roadster is one of the most anticipated vehicles of all time, especially because we’ve all had to wait so long for it. On its own, it will have a 1.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate (without the SpaceX package, which brings the projection to 1.1 seconds), which is projected to be better than the 2.3 seconds the U9 Track Edition will offer.

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The Roadster also beats the U9 Track Edition in projected top speed and range. The Roadster could top out at over 250 MPH, compared to the 217 conservative projection for the U9 Track Edition.

Range on the Roadster is 620 miles, beating 280 miles for the BYD.

The U9 Track Edition will also have some additional features compared to its base model. These include some aerodynamic additions, like a carbon fiber rear wing, diffuser, and an adjustable front splitter and adjustable rear wing.

The latter two are optional, but if you have enough scratch to drop on this car, you’re probably adding those two features as well.

We hope that both the Roadster and U9 Track Edition will hit a drag strip, road course, or even a superspeedway for some racing. It would truly be something for EV fans to drool over.

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Tesla is breaking even its own rules to cap off an intense Q3

Tesla is pulling out all the stops to have a strong Q3 as the EV tax credit will phase out.

Published

7 hours ago

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August 16, 2025

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Credit: MarcoRP | X

Tesla is breaking its own rules by advertising on various platforms in an effort to sell as many cars as possible before the end of the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit.

Tesla has had a very polarizing perspective on advertising. Over the years, it has taken on different attitudes toward spending any money on marketing. It has instead put those dollars into research and development to make its vehicles more advanced.

Back in 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk talked about the company advertising its vehicles and energy products:

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In 2021, in response to analyst Gary Black, who has pushed for Tesla to have a PR or marketing department, Musk said:

However, this did not hold as Tesla’s strategy for the long haul. While Musk did resist advertising for a long time, Tesla started placing ads on platforms like X, Google, and YouTube several years back. It’s pretty rare that Tesla pushes these ads, however.

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Tesla launches advertising on X in the U.S., expanding ‘small scale’ strategy outlined by Musk

The company’s stance on setting aside capital for advertising seems to be circumstantial. Right now, it is working to sell as many vehicles as it can before the tax credit comes to a close.

As a result, it is pushing some ads on YouTube:

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It’s a move that makes sense considering the timing. With just six weeks roughly left in the quarter, Tesla is going to work tirelessly to push as many cars into customer hands as possible. It will use every ounce of effort to get its products on people’s screens.

Tesla counters jab at lack of advertising with perfect response

Throw in one of the many incentives it is offering currently, and there will surely be some takers.

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