We know that traveling in an electric car can sometimes require a little organization, especially during the holiday season or during vacations. Tesla has had a head start with its network of Superchargers, which, coupled with its navigation software, guides drivers through charging steps. But when everyone rushes to the terminals at the same time, as is often the case at Christmas or during a weekend break, even the best system can show its limits.
Express recharge, even under pressure
To avoid long queues and respond to peaks in demand, Tesla has designed MegapackChargers. These mobile stations, mounted on trailers, carry everything necessary: V3 terminals capable of delivering up to 250 kW each, and above all a giant battery with a capacity of 3 megawatt hours. Enough to recharge around 75 vehicles before having to reconnect to the network.
And that’s not all. These units are designed to be installed quickly, directly adjacent to existing stations. When their battery runs out, they can be recharged in a few hours using low-use fixed terminals, especially at night.
For this first deployment, Tesla installed four MegapackChargers in strategic areas in the United States: two in California, one in Nevada, and one in Ohio. These temporary stations appear directly in the vehicles’ navigation system, allowing drivers to see in real time how many terminals are available.
Max de Zegher, head of the charging network at Tesla, explains that these MegapackChargers are also connected to the internet via SpaceX Starlink, thus offering optimal management. “ They are particularly useful for temporary bottlenecks, but also for unforeseen situations like hurricanes “, he specifies.
These stations are not without limitations, however. Although they make it possible to occasionally relieve congestion on Superchargers, they remain costly to deploy and require significant logistics. Tesla is therefore banking on their strategic use: responding to seasonal traffic peaks and adapting to unforeseen local conditions.
The flexibility of MegapackChargers is their strength. Jordan Golson, a Tesla driver, shared a video of a temporary station in Cambridge, Ohio, showing that these portable stations sometimes even outperform fixed stations. The V3 terminals of the MegapackChargers in fact offer greater power than the V2 terminals still present on certain fixed installations, with 250 kW compared to 150 kW.
The idea, which could be adapted to other countries, also has the merit of reminding other manufacturers that charging is an essential issue for 100% electric motorists! And that good ideas are meant to be taken up.
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