Tesla Superchargers In 2017: Faster Charging, Expanded Network, China Presence And More

Tesla has an exciting 2017 ahead with the Model 3 launch and other expected launches, such as the Model Y sedan and the Tesla pickup truck. To support its goal of selling 500,000 cars per year, the company needs to set up a Supercharger network which will make it possible to drive a Tesla for long distances.

In the coming year, the company has a lot planned on the Supercharger front. Here’s what to expect.

Faster Superchargers: Tesla’s existing Supercharger provides the Model S’ battery from zero to full charge in an hour. This makes the process seem tardy, compared to going to the gas pump and filling up your car’s tank. The company plans to change this in 2017.

Elon Musk’s tweets Saturday indicated future Superchargers could have double the charging capacity of the existing ones.

Upcoming Superchargers could have capacity of 350 kilowatts, compared to 150 kilowatts on the existing ones. This means charging time will be cut by at least half.

Extensive U.S. Supercharger network: Tesla’s map forecasting Supercharger installations shows the company is still expanding its U.S. network and creating more potential routes linking the East and West Coasts, including a line of Superchargers on the southern route via Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Supercharger stations in Europe, China: The company is expected to bring more Superchargers to China, and is said to be looking for partners in the country which also happens to be the world’s largest automotive market. The company inaugurated its hundredth Supercharger in Beijing in June.

Musk also indicated the global network would be expanded to about 7,000 Superchargers around the world by the end of 2017.

Supercharger credits, fees: Tesla will be rolling out a new Supercharger update in 2017, the company announced in November.

Teslas ordered after Jan. 1, 2017 will get 400 kWh of free supercharging credits every year. Once the free units run out, customers will need to pay a Supercharge fee on their vehicles. According to Tesla, the Supercharging fees will be less than the cost of gas.

Supercharger Idle Fee: Tesla said earlier this month it would impose an idling fee on consumers who leave their cars at charging spots for long durations. The fee is applicable to all Tesla cars and is set at the rate of $0.40 per minute post full charging. If the car is moved within 5 minutes of full charge, the fee will be completely waived off.