Photo: Tesla Charging on Twitter / autoevolution edit
Convenient, dependable, and user-friendly fast-charging stations are what America needs. Customers demand them, and the logic behind accelerating electrification makes them a strategic part of the fight against global warming. You can't convince everyone to give up on the ease of filling up gas- or diesel-powered cars unless you create something as useful and hassle-free as a fuel station.
Fortunately, Tesla was the first private entity that anticipated that need and invested before anyone else in such a network. Now, it's harvesting the fruits of its labor and rightfully celebrating.
Believe it or not, there was a time when people used to laugh at and belittle Tesla. Some do it even today. But 2023 has been a marvelous year for the now-Texas-based EV maker.
Its Model Y crossover SUV became the world's best-selling car in the first half of the year, which put an EV at the top of people's preferences for the first time.
The advanced driver-assistance software (ADAS) known as FSD Beta is in the midst of advancing to the out-of-testing phase with the V12 build that was publicly demoed by the company's CEO. That's despite all the questionable stuff that happened along the way.
The Model 3 was refreshed for nearly all the brand's markets, apart from North America, and it debuted a great design that most people who saw it said they liked. Besides an updated look, the car has new internals that might help the brand increase its profit margins.
But one of Tesla's most important victories this year was Ford and General Motors (GM) admitting they couldn't go forward with completely electrifying their rosters without the industry disruptor that brought us the Model S, 3, X, and Y lineup.
Not only did they adopt Tesla's charging port, but the two iconic American automakers have also negotiated access to the Supercharger network. The deal doesn't immediately bring Tesla any meaningful funds but ensures a large customer base. Fastly-delivered electrons will be a great "side hustle" for the EV maker as we get closer and closer to 2030.
After Ford and GM signed the deal, other important automakers followed suit. That included even Rivian, which invests in its own Level 2 (AC) and Level 3 (DC) charging network. Most recently, Honda announced it would jump on the bandwagon.
Photo: Tesla Charging on Twitter
Tesla has kept investing and expanding the Supercharger network since 2012, but now it has renewed motivation to do so. With all these new industry players entering the EV game alongside it and competitors like Electrify America still stuttering, the auto company might hold a firm grip on this domain for quite a while.
We believe that will happen even as seven automakers announced they're forming an Ionity-like venture for the US market.
In nine years since the first Supercharger pedestal was erected, Tesla installed over 50,000 DC fast-charging stalls nearly all over the world. And it just so happens that the lucky 50,000th Supercharger is located in the US.
The special stall is finished in what looks like the Ultra Red paint option, available at no extra charge on the Model S and Model X sold in the US at the time of writing.
It also has a plaque at the bottom that distinctly identifies it as the 50,000th Supercharger turned on by Tesla.
Enthusiasts wanted to locate it as fast as possible, and they found it! It's in Roseville, California. The precise address is 1851 Freedom Way. Now, you can enjoy a special fast-charging session, too.
However, you should know that this stall wasn't recently added just to celebrate the important milestone. It was already there and it worked, as some customers who frequent that location indicated online. Tesla just wrapped it in this striking red color, added the plaque, and called it a day.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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