US electric vehicle giant Tesla is reportedly seeking to one-up itself, again, with a keen-eyed Twitter user discovering the construction of a 56-stall Supercharger in Firebaugh, California.
Tesla’s doings are often revealed to the world not by the company itself, but by its many obsessive supporters on Twitter.
Teslarati, billing itself as the “leading source for Tesla news, rumors, and reviews,” recently highlighted a September 15 Tweet from “Tesla enthusiast @bryanMackSC” in which he stumbled upon the construction of a new addition to the American Supercharger Network.
Just came across this @tesla supercharger being built. Seems like 50+ Not in https://t.co/gRJl82DQVR Firebaugh California. World's largest? pic.twitter.com/C8dnUWXPR0
— Bryan (@bryanMackSC) September 15, 2020
Over time, Tesla has been slowly increasing the size of its mammoth Supercharger sites – increasing from the 40-stall capacity Kettleman Supercharger in California and a 50-stall Supercharger being built at the Lilac International Business Center in Shanghai, China.
Another Twitter user, @MontrealTesla, who reportedly makes a habit of tracking updates to the Supercharger Network, found council filings to confirm that the new Firebaugh, California Spercharger site would have a total of 56-Superchargers.
FIFTY SIX Superchargers are now under construction in Firebaugh, California!!! So it looks like this is what Elon’s 50s restaurant is gonna be. Woohoo!!@teslaownersSV @sfteslaclub @ccteslaclub @SjvTesla @TeslaOwnersEBay @OCTeslaClub @TeslaClubLA @vincent13031925 @Kristennetten pic.twitter.com/dVlr13j1qs
— MarcoRP (@MontrealTesla) September 15, 2020
The filings made no mention of whether the Firebaugh Supercharger site would be equipped with the company’s V3 Supercharger stalls, but as with some of the recent sites, it will also consist of a new convenience store and restaurant within the interior space of the building which will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Separate planning documents recovered by @MontrealTesla show that the site will be more of a traditional fuel centre with a total of 56 Tesla Supercharger stalls, 9 other EV charging stations, and 6 traditional fuel pumps for unleaded and diesel.
Found the plans for the Firebaugh Supercharger!!
Unlike what I thought, it will be a traditional fuel Center, but with 65 EV charging station (56 Tesla, 9 Other), and only 6 gas stations in comparison! More details on the photo.@teslaownersSV @Model3Owners @BLKMDL3 @Sofiaan pic.twitter.com/41KNFCMtLZ
— MarcoRP (@MontrealTesla) September 15, 2020
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.