PSA: 40% Up-Charge on Tesla Superchargers (Unless You Do This)

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Reading this, I think that some are missing the big picture. DCFC is always gonna be more expensive than gasoline, unless gasoline stays over $4. EV charging economics are different than gasoline and ICE. As one commenter said, demand charges are a big problem to solve. That’s why Tesla and others are building huge charging stations with battery storage and solar. But your DCFC charging should be a smallish part of your overall charging equation. At my super off peak utility rate, I could fully charge my 2022 R1T for $5 and go 350 miles. Less than 1.5 cents per mile. I typically take a trip once per month where I need DCFC, and I keep an active Tesla subscription and am damn happy to pay it, since their DCFC is everywhere and almost always works first time. So don’t sweat it, DCFC when you need and be glad Tesla opened the network!

I can’t even remember when in SoCal gasoline being less than $4. And the funny thing is CA is home to multiple refineries, wells and off-shore drilling operations.

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[JoelD]

I can’t even remember when in SoCal gasoline being less than $4. And the funny thing is CA is home to multiple refineries, wells and off-shore drilling operations.

You can tell I’m from the coastal southeast. To me expensive gas is the $5 non-ethanol I put in the boat

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

You can tell I’m from the coastal southeast. To me expensive gas is the $5 non-ethanol I put in the boat

Point being DCFC isn’t “always more expensive than gas”. It depends on where you are and what the market price is for gas or DCFC.

Here, DCFC can range from high 40s to 60s, pending time of day (cents/kWH). Residential on average is mid to high 40s.

Regular gas is almost $6. Diesel almost $7. Higher if near or in LA. And given amount of traffic, the average person is literally burning cash idling or crawling in traffic. In same traffic, a BEV is not using much energy at all.

 

[Tim-in-CA]

Seems like it would be a good idea for Rivian (and others) that support plug-and-charge to give customers an option to disable this feature in the vehicle for these instances. Better yet, would be preferred if they could support Tesla / EA / others membership plans and pricing.

 

[ndmiller]

Well documented, I ran into this when the adapters shipped over a year ago.

 

[JimW]

Agree with using Tesla membership on an as needed basis, but on a run between western NC & Tampa we found that Ionna rates were equivalent without a membership & the facilities we stopped at were all very nice. Free Rivian is great when you can find it, but once that 90 day free trial period is over their prices are pretty high.

 

[SANZC02]

Agree with using Tesla membership on an as needed basis, but on a run between western NC & Tampa we found that Ionna rates were equivalent without a membership & the facilities we stopped at were all very nice. Free Rivian is great when you can find it, but once that 90 day free trial period is over their prices are pretty high.

I’ve never used Ionna, does plug and charge work with those on the Rivian?

I just pulled up there map there are quite a few scattered about the country.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Tesla has always charged non-Teslas at higher price. Not only that, it has steadily increased both member and non-member pricing since it became open to Rivians; at least 4 times. It also changed from a time of day pricing schedule to one that is demand based; i.e. flex pricing. This means what used to be the cheapest time slot (11pm-4am) can suddenly be more expensive if just one or two other cars show up before you do. And, not a single change/improvement to the charging site or hardware. Money. Money. Since a RAN became operational 13 mi away, I’ve not renewed my membership. But I would still consider using the Supercharger before the nearest EA, which is more expensive, poorly maintained, unreliable and always busy with only 6 plugs.

 

[JimW]

I’ve never used Ionna, does plug and charge work with those on the Rivian?

I just pulled up there map there are quite a few scattered about the country.

Yes, plug & charge is totally seamless. I have limited experience with all of this, but at this point I’d rate Ionna as my preferred location.

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