Supercharger Times from 20% - 80%?

[HaulingAss]

The reality is that range isn’t really what any ev manufacturer should be focused on, they just really need to focus on recharge time. If they are ever able to get an ev to recharge from 20% to 80% in 5 mins it would be game over for gas.

It's already game over for gas, it just hasn't sunk into most people's minds yet!

Sponsored

 

[HaulingAss]

There is a theoretical point where going so fast, you will loose time due to the extra charging. Especially if you have to add charging stops. A Better route planner can do this math for you, by adjusting the “speed” tab to over 100% of road speed. It also has a toggle to tell you to slow down to make a charging stop.

For my upcoming trip of 895 miles, it takes 15hrs 23 minutes with 1hrs 57 minutes of charging over 4 stops. Going the speed limit.

If I speed by going 20% over. (84mph in a 70 which is pushing it for Police). The trip estimate changes to 14hrs 16 minutes for 905 miles and 3hrs 0minutes of charging over 5 stops.

40% over, or 98 in a 70. The trip estimate is 13hrs 52minutes with 4hrs 0minutes of charging over 6 stops.

And 50% is the same time as 40% speeding. But with 8 stops and 4hrs 16 minutes of charging. Shorter stops, staying in the sweet spot of high charging at the bottom of the pack.

So, 105mph is the break even point. If you drive faster, you’ll start loosing time due to charging stops. Now this assumes staying on Tesla network. And assumes no congestion at chargers, each charging session goes good. No traffic getting off the expressway. And no cops.

This is where the Aero wheel covers will raise that 105 mph cross-over point.

It's also good to recognize that the crossover mph is not a fixed point, it depends upon the type and density of chargers on your route. By charging lower in the charge curve, the cross-over mph is raised, while charging past 60% lowers the crossover mph.

For example, in my Model 3 Performance, the crossover mph is somewhere north of 130 mph when only charging the minimum needed to skip every other Supercharger on I-90. But my setup is particularly aero with the 18" Aero wheels. Towing a trailer that is not very aero will greatly reduce the crossover mph.

 

[kappaknight]

I actually did this today... 20% to 78% in 30 minutes at a 250kW station.

 

[Woodrick]

Great explaination. TY!
I’m sure it will all make sense when I try it on our upcoming roadtrip from Texas to Florida, then Florida to NJ, returning to Texas. Any issues with the CT being transported on the Autotrain from Florida to Virginia should we decide to try that?

You may want to take a look at the Amtrak vehicle limitations. It appears that the Cybertruck is too long, even for the extended vehicles.

 

[Woodrick]

I just did this recharge about a week ago. I think I was at 19% and charged to about 81%, it took exactly 1 hour to add 76.6kw to the truck.

This was at an older supercharger in a retail center. My guess is the newer faster super charger could accomplish this in 45mins or less.

The reality is that range isn’t really what any ev manufacturer should be focused on, they just really need to focus on recharge time. If they are ever able to get an ev to recharge from 20% to 80% in 5 mins it would be game over for gas.

And if you were to add the same 62%, but start at 5%, it's probably only 30-45 minutes.

 

[Pablito3]

And if you were to add the same 62%, but start at 5%, it's probably only 30-45 minutes.

Ya I think I will be using this low charge level strategy next time I plan a trip that needs super charging stops. Makes more sense factoring in how the charge curve looks.

 

[roadrunner32]

It's already game over for gas, it just hasn't sunk into most people's minds yet!

 

[HaulingAss]

Ya I think I will be using this low charge level starting strategy next time I plan a trip that needs super charging stops. Makes more sense.

It really does make a big difference if your scenario benefits from faster charging.

Example: You want to go 400-800 or more miles in one day, as close to non-stop as possible. Destination charging can minimize Supercharging stops by starting the day at 100%. On the road, take that sucker down as close to zero as you can bear, and never charge above 55-60%. It takes more stops but they are really quick, you better not dawdle too long during your rest breaks because it will be ready to go before you are.

For more relaxed motoring, seeing the sights, getting off the Interstate, experiencing the best of the local culinary, etc. A different strategy is often better. You will want to make use of destination charging to start each day at 100% (to minimize charge stops) and Supercharge while eating meals on the road, etc. You cannot reasonably order a meal and eat it while charging from 10%-60% so, naturally, your charge level will end up higher. Your stops will be fewer and longer.

In reality, a hybrid approach often works best and it requires thought and an understanding of charging speeds. At first it will feel like a lot of planning, but as you become more familiar with EV travel you will "wing it" more and the planning will be minimal as you build skills, you won't have to think about it very hard to achieve your objectives in an efficient and natural manner. The key is have a good idea of the Supercharger density in areas you will likely be going and to skip charging stops when you really don't need to charge, and to not charge higher than necessary, if it will benefit your goals.

Some people will never get out of the gas car mindset of liking a tank at least half-full at all times. You need to know when you might need half a tank and when it doesn't matter because you can burn a lot of time charging above 60% when you don't need to.

 

[roadrunner32]

It's already game over for gas, it just hasn't sunk into most people's minds yet!

Remember Oldsmobile? I call ICE cars Oldmobiles! Olds for short

 

[vinsk]

20-80% around 35 min (Depends on Pre-conditioning, Supercharger speed, No. of cars charging)

One long drive will train anyone on what factors affect the range (Speed, elevation, cross wind) and when/where to stop for charging. On multiple occasions, I was able to move the needle from 5% remaining at upcoming supercharger session to 15%+ , few times skipping the supercharger session altogether to move onto the next one. Most of it was reducing the speed from +10 to +5 and not being too aggressive overtaking other vehicles.

Btw, Tesla will plan the route with SC sessions based on your current driving habits. If you go easy on the pedal/improve your efficiency, the navigation will NOT modify the SC sessions automatically though you may have enough juice to go to the next SC. Try canceling the navigation to final destination and start again when the truck is like 5 miles away from the charging session.

 

[Woodrick]

Ya I think I will be using this low charge level starting strategy next time I plan a trip that needs super charging stops. Makes more sense.

Not only do you travel faster, but it fits pit breaks pretty well. Generally, just a quick in, relieve, refill and back on the road.
You just need to look for the next Supercharger about 140 miles ahead of you and set it as the next stop to make sure that you have enough on arrival.
It also ends up being a much healthier way to drive, as you get up and move around every few hours.

 

[jayman]

This is great info for a newbie like me where a CT would be my first EV and coming from an ICE truck there's definitely going to be an adjustment period.

So it sounds like the consensus is fewer stops at a lower SoC which means spending more time at a charger? I'll admit sitting at one location for 30 mins or longer on a car trip is a tough sell. I had been playing with some of the route planning tools and my thoughts were doing a few stops where each would ~15 mins? Or am I way off?

 

[Woodrick]

This is great info for a newbie like me where a CT would be my first EV and coming from an ICE truck there's definitely going to be an adjustment period.

So it sounds like the consensus is fewer stops at a lower SoC which means spending more time at a charger? I'll admit sitting at one location for 30 mins or longer on a car trip is a tough sell. I had been playing with some of the route planning tools and my thoughts were doing a few stops where each would ~15 mins? Or am I way off?

To begin with, don't worry about it. Let the Tesla nav figure it out for you and just get used to being able to go anywhere that you need to go.
Unless you are a drive 500 miles straight-through, to hell if anyone has to go to the bathroom type of driver, the stops are a lot less problematic than you think.

In reality, you are probably already stopping for gas and taking that long. Everybody thinks that it takes 5 minutes to fill up, but that's not reality.

Even if you do all the bio breaks and get enough stretching in, Teslas have a number of games and streaming services that can keep you busy while waiting. I honestly rarely use them at Supercharger stops, they just don't take as much time as you may expect them to.

But, don't use the Tesla's nav selection on blind faith. Look at the Supercharger it chooses. Look at the amenities that appear (you can hit the amenity icons and they will show you the nearest in walking distance).
Choose the one that fits your needs.

• Is it maybe a Buckees with their spotless bathrooms?
• Is it may next to a highly rated BBQ spot?
• Is there a Starbucks next door?

Whatever you can do to combine your stops with the things that you'd do anyway is the best recommendation.

And don't forget to get out and see the scenery, maybe get off the Interstate and have a much more pleasant ride (and increase range) and see the country!
Many have found that stopping and charging make for much easier trips with less recovery times than the 500 mile straight through romps.

 

[Gaximus]

.

So, 105mph is the break even point. If you drive faster, you’ll start loosing time due to charging stops. Now this assumes staying on Tesla network. And assumes no congestion at chargers, each charging session goes good. No traffic getting off the expressway. And no cops.

I Knew this was the case, but assumed the break even point was somewhere closer to 70, and knowing that I would never drive that slow, I never wanted to know the break even point (Feels like torture going that slow). This is good news.

 

[Crissa]

I Knew this was the case, but assumed the break even point was somewhere closer to 70, and knowing that I would never drive that slow, I never wanted to know the break even point (Feels like torture going that slow). This is good news.

Well, that's not accounting for weather, which will lower the break even point. By alot.

-Crissa

Sponsored