The timing is perfect: An array of 16 Tesla Superchargers has just opened for public use in Downtown San Diego, as superheroes from far and wide converge here for Comic-Con.
Housed inside the renovated 6th & A parking garage, these Superchargers are the first to be installed in the heart of America’s Finest City. They feature Tesla’s new design to optimize charging in dense urban settings. Users enjoy rapid charging at 72 kilowatts of dedicated power for each plugged in car. What that means is “consistent charging times of 45-50 minutes for most drivers,” according to Tesla. With one full charging session, Tesla drivers can enjoy a driving range of more than 300 miles.
Today, these Superchargers were unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Our Director of Business Services Todd Cahill was on hand to cut the ribbon, alongside representatives from Tesla, EMMES Realty Services of California (the owner of the garage), and Betsy Brennan, President and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
A team of SDG&E employees worked closely with Tesla to connect the Superchargers to the regional power grid. Since these chargers provide the fire-hose equivalent in charging power, extra requirements needed to be carefully followed and reviewed by all teams involved.
Committed to Expanding EV Charging
As Tesla continues to expand its supercharging network in the region, SDG&E will be there to make the connections to the grid. We are committed to expanding EV infrastructure – whether it’s by working with third parties like Tesla or through our own EV charging programs – because we understand that electric vehicles (EV) are key to building a sustainable future.
The transportation sector – powered today largely by gasoline – accounts for 41 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in California and 54 percent in the City of San Diego. It’s the single largest source of GHG emissions. In San Diego, making the fuel switch from gasoline to electricity is particularly beneficial, because of the high percentage of renewables – such as solar and wind energy – that we have on the grid.
Our regional grid is more than eight times cleaner and greener than the rest of America, which averages around 8 percent renewable energy, such as solar and wind. Drivers who use these superchargers can feel good about plugging into the grid to power their Tesla.
More Information
Within SDG&E’s service territory encompassing San Diego and southern Orange counties, the downtown site is the fourth Supercharger site to open. According to Tesla’s charging map, the other sites are:
- Qualcomm Inc., 10155 Pacific Heights Blvd San Diego
- Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente
- Union Bank, 31971 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
Tesla has plans to install more Superchargers in our area. Its online charging map shows 11 future sites in San Ysidro, Chula Vista, Mission Valley, El Cajon, La Jolla, Carmel Mountain, Del Mar, Escondido, Carlsbad, Vista, and Dana Point.