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> More customers using the Supercharger network enables faster expansion. This seems like the core motivation here -- more people using the chargers justifies

by phgn 5y ago

> More customers using the Supercharger network enables faster expansion. This seems like the core motivation here -- more people using the chargers justifies a larger investment and a better user experience (more availability) in the short term. About EV charging: Can Tesla set their own electricity price freely? If so, would you change the charger you use based on how much it costs at different places? I wonder if there's profit to be made in running more EV chargers, especially if they can adjust the charging price based on demand in each location.

theluketaylor 5y ago
> Can Tesla set their own electricity price freely? This varies wildly by jurisdiction. In some places electricity costs are highly regulated and they would have no control. In other places only utilities are allowed to sell power by the kWh, so charging is sold by time. Here in Canada our measurement regulator has dragged their heels on a standard for DC comsumption measuring, so even utilities like BC and Quebec Hydro can't sell DC fast charging power by the kWh. It is unlikely there will ever be much profit in selling DC fast charging power. DC fast chargers are a huge capital expense (100k-250k per cabinet for 100 kW+ plus installation that can easily run 3-4 figures) and drawing that much power in bursts comes with huge added costs from the utility. You can save on bursts with battery buffers, but that also raises the initial capital outlay. It's fine though, gas stations don't make any money selling fuel. All their money comes from the captive audience. Charging batteries has gotten a lot better, but it still creates a highly captive audience.
- phgn 5y ago
  > It's fine though, gas stations don't make any money selling fuel. All their money comes from the captive audience. Interesting thought -- EV charging might be even easier to make money from then, once there's sufficient adoption. I imagine many more people would get a drink or a meal if they have to wait half an hour anyways. In that sense having EV chargers would be a large customer driver for businesses, one they'd probably pay for (maybe they do already?). Are gas stations normally franchised out, or owned by a single company?

by phgn 5y ago

theluketaylor 5y ago

> Can Tesla set their own electricity price freely? This varies wildly by jurisdiction. In some places electricity costs are highly regulated and they would have no control. In other places only utilities are allowed to sell power by the kWh, so charging is sold by time. Here in Canada our measurement regulator has dragged their heels on a standard for DC comsumption measuring, so even utilities like BC and Quebec Hydro can't sell DC fast charging power by the kWh. It is unlikely there will ever be much profit in selling DC fast charging power. DC fast chargers are a huge capital expense (100k-250k per cabinet for 100 kW+ plus installation that can easily run 3-4 figures) and drawing that much power in bursts comes with huge added costs from the utility. You can save on bursts with battery buffers, but that also raises the initial capital outlay. It's fine though, gas stations don't make any money selling fuel. All their money comes from the captive audience. Charging batteries has gotten a lot better, but it still creates a highly captive audience.

phgn 5y ago
> It's fine though, gas stations don't make any money selling fuel. All their money comes from the captive audience. Interesting thought -- EV charging might be even easier to make money from then, once there's sufficient adoption. I imagine many more people would get a drink or a meal if they have to wait half an hour anyways. In that sense having EV chargers would be a large customer driver for businesses, one they'd probably pay for (maybe they do already?). Are gas stations normally franchised out, or owned by a single company?