Tesla Unveils Supercharger Station in Nakusp, British Columbia
In the heart of the Arrow Lakes region, the long-awaited Nakusp Supercharger has finally opened its doors to electric vehicle (EV) owners. Situated on the north side of town at an Esso gas station on Highway 23, this charging station marks a significant milestone for EV travelers traversing between Revelstoke, Nelson, and Castlegar, as charging infrastructure in the area has been limited until now.
The journey of the Nakusp Supercharger began in 2020 when it was first added to Tesla's planned Supercharger map. Initial plans involved installing the Superchargers near the town's sports complex, but these plans were eventually scrapped due to complications in finalizing agreements or infrastructure limitations. The station's opening was initially projected for Q1 2023, as updated by Tesla, but the site remained inactive through 2023 and into 2024.
In 2021, the Village of Nakusp and Tesla entered into early discussions about the Nakusp Supercharger. Last year, a new site was selected at the Esso station at the north end of town. The station, accessible to both Tesla and non-Tesla EV owners, now boasts eight V4 (V3.5) Superchargers.
Tesla's growing openness to other electric vehicles is demonstrated through the Magic Dock system at the new station, allowing non-Tesla EVs to charge alongside Tesla vehicles. The cost for charging a Tesla vehicle at the new station is $0.32 per kWh, while the cost for charging a non-Tesla EV is $0.44 per kWh. This lower cost for Tesla vehicles is due to Tesla's ongoing support for the North American Charging Standard (NACS).
The opening of the Nakusp Supercharger last week marks the end of years of uncertainty and delays. Although the exact timeline of location changes or individual delay events remains unclear from the current search results, it is clear that the perseverance of all involved has resulted in a valuable addition to the Canadian charging network. The Nakusp Supercharger now stands as one of the longest-running projects in Tesla's Canadian charging network, providing essential charging infrastructure for EV owners in the region.
[1] Further information on the specific dates and reasons for the delays in the Nakusp Supercharger project is not currently available.
The journey of the Nakusp Supercharger, initially slated for 2023, has finally been completed in 2024, marking a significant development in the automotive industry's push towards electric transportation. The charging station, located at a gas station in Nakusp, offers not only Tesla vehicles an opportunity to recharge, but also accommodates non-Tesla electric vehicles. This collaboration between Tesla and the Village of Nakusp signifies a fusion of finance and technology, paving the way for the advancement of the EV charging industry in Canada.
