Every year, electric cars can go farther on less charge than ever before.
which has been rolling out Supercharger stations across the country to power its vehicles.Tesla Superchargers are special battery-charging stations, designed similarly to traditional gas stations, for owners of the industry-leading electric vehicles. Sprouting up quickly across the country, Supercharger stations will soon welcome two valuable additions: air compressors and squeegees.
Charging a Tesla, or any other electric vehicle, requires the use of both alternating currents (AC) and direct currents (DC). Electricity travelling on the national grid to be used immediately utilizes AC, while the electricity stored in batteries operates on DC.
When charging a Tesla at home, AC power is drawn from the grid into the vehicle, where an inverter converts the electricity to DC power so it can be stored by the battery. During operation, the automobile uses this stored electricity and converts it back to AC electricity to power the motor and rotate the wheels.
Supercharger stations bypass the car’s internal inverter entirely, using enormous, on-site power converters to transport high voltage DC power directly to the battery. This capability dramatically reduces charging times, helping drivers get on the road more quickly.
In May, Elon Musk announced an exciting accessory for a number of Supercharger stations: air compressors. Soon, compressors will be installed for users to top off their tire pressure, and measure real-time vehicle diagnostics.
The addition of compressors should be a welcome upgrade to users, as the U.S. Department of Energy has found that tires with low air pressure can decrease a car’s range by up to 0.2% for every 1 psi beneath the recommended pressure. This means that under-inflated tires can significantly decrease a vehicle’s fuel economy. New compressors at Supercharger stations enable Tesla owners to maximize their driving range and optimize their car’s overall performance.
Yielding to a high volume of requests, the electric car giant has also added squeegeeing stations to a number of stations, allowing users to clean their own windshields and windows, since car washing services are not currently available at any Supercharger locations.
What’s more, Musk recently announced yet another upcoming value-add for customers — the capability to diagnose their vehicle’s problems through Tesla’s mobile app, where they will be able to troubleshoot common issues and schedule servicing appointments.
Tesla, whose mission is to accelerate the advent of clean transport and clean energy production, continues to embody a commitment to customer satisfaction with these new Supercharger features. The brand’s responsiveness to consumer requests and willingness to experiment with new solutions will likely continue to create a value for Tesla owners.
Like Tesla, Mattei is invested in sustainable energy solutions, speed, and durability. We’re pleased that brands like Tesla recognize that the benefits of a reliable air compressor, which can help tires on all kinds of vehicles operate at peak performance and maximize energy efficiency.