Tesla to raise Supercharger rates in US, nearly double in Arizona
Mar 15, 2018, 10:55 AM
(Screenshot)
(Screenshot)
PHOENIX — Electric car maker Tesla has pushed up prices at Supercharger stations in the United States, nearly doubling in Arizona and some places tagged even higher.
Prices at the five Supercharger-only stations in and around Maricopa County — Scottsdale, Buckeye, Wickenburg, Gila Bend and Casa Grande — jumped from $0.12 to $0.22.
Website Electrek reported the rate hike early this week. The majority of regions were hit with a 20 to 40 percent jump, but drivers in Washington state, for instance, woke up to a 127 percent increase and Oregon 100 percent.
Rates are based per minute above 60 kilowatts. In Arizona, cost was listed at $0.11 per minute at or below 60 kilowatts. Model 3 drivers must also pay a fee to Supercharge.
There are 1,138 Supercharger stations in the country. Tesla had offered free unlimited use at its supercharger stations until spring 2017.
In January of that year, the company announced that cars ordered that month and delivered by April 1 would come with 1,000 miles of fast-charge credits. After that, Model 3 owners would have to pay.
Model 3 is the least expensive of the Tesla line, starting at $35,000.
The company told Electrek, “We occasionally adjust rates to reflect current local electricity and usage. The overriding principle is that Supercharging will always remain significantly cheaper than gasoline, as we only aim to recover a portion of our costs while setting up a fair system for everyone.
“This will never be a profit center for Tesla.”
