"How to charge?"- this is probably the first question that arises in a person interested in electric vehicles. And in the conditions of Belarus, the question is doubly interesting. We will approach it on the example of the European Tesla Model S as the first decent electric car that is now on the market.

Let's remember physics: volts, amperes and kilowatts

First, some basic information about electric current. If you did well in school and know how volts differ from amps and kilowatts, you can safely skip this information.

The battery capacity of a car is measured in kilowatt-hours, in our case the battery has a capacity of 85 kWh. This means that, theoretically, it can produce 85 kW of power for one hour or, respectively, 85 hours to produce 1 kW. To replenish the battery, you need to do the opposite - apply 85 kW to it for an hour, or apply 1 kW to it for 85 hours. Of course, in reality there are losses, and charging does not always go at the same speed, but the general idea is this.

A watt as a unit of power is a volt (voltage) multiplied by an ampere (current). To understand the difference between current and voltage, the water analogy is best. Voltage is, figuratively speaking, the pressure of water, and the current strength is the diameter of the pipe. To pump the same volume of water (kilowatt-hours), you can, for example, pump water through a narrow pipe with a high head or a wide pipe with a low head.

If the pipe is wide and with high pressure, then the filling process is fast. Otherwise, slowly. For high voltage good conductor insulation is needed (thick pipe wall), for great strength current - sufficient cable cross-section (pipe thickness).

Now let's talk about sockets. A typical household euro socket has a nominal voltage of 220 V and a maximum current, usually 16 A or less. If we multiply the voltage by the current, or 220 V × 16 A, we get maximum power consumer at 3520 W, or about 3.5 kW.

Another common type of outlet is three-phase, with an interphase voltage of 380 V (the voltage of each phase is the same 220 V). It is less common in everyday life (electric stoves), but is ubiquitous in production, where powerful equipment is used. Most often, a three-phase socket has the same maximum current of 16 A, which, taking into account three phases, gives us 220 V × 16 A × 3 = 10.5 kW. This European-style socket has a red color and five contacts arranged in a circle. For convenience, we will call it a red rosette.

There are also single-phase sockets for 32 A ( of blue color), but they are extremely rare.

Since the electrical network uses alternating current, and the battery is charged with constant current, it must be "straightened" using charger. The same thing happens when you charge your laptop or mobile phone. Only in the case of Tesla charger the device is installed inside the car. IN basic configuration The Model S comes with one 11kW charger, and you can optionally add a second one for a total charging power of 22kW.

Also included with the machine is the so-called Mobile Connector, which is similar in shape to a charger, although in fact it is just smart connection cable. For the German market, two adapters are included: one for a regular Euro socket, the other for a three-phase red socket. And that's just what we need! In the case of the American Model S, you will receive a set of single-phase American sockets different power and the inability to charge from a three-phase outlet in principle! This is the main and very significant limitation of "American women".

The car itself, destined for Europe, houses the Mennekes Type 2 charging connector. Introduced in 2009, it was adopted as a single European standard for electric vehicles. Today it is used in Renault Zoe and BMW i3. The main advantage of Type 2 is the ability to work with both permanent and alternating current, with a single or three-phase network. In addition, it is much safer than conventional plug-in connections, since the transfer of energy begins only after the plug is fully connected and the car and the cable “agree” among themselves on the type electric current and charging power. In the case of the American Model S, the car will have a connector of its own unique design, more compact, but not supporting three-phase current.

First charge - at the car wash!

Now that we have dealt with the cables and sockets, you can start charging. For the first time in Belarus, our car was charged at the Peugeot car wash. The employees were sympathetic to the electric car and allowed to use their three-phase red socket. As it turns out, powerful professional sinks high pressure use just this type.

Open the trunk, take out the Mobile Connector, plug it into a power outlet. The indicator lights up green - everything is ready for charging. On the opposite side of the cable there is a handle with a button and a Type 2 connector. We press the button in the handle, and in taillight With driver's side the door opens. We insert the connector, three LEDs in the headlight start blinking green - charging has started!

On the screen in the Tesla cabin, you can see the mains voltage of 230 V (in our case, phase) and the current strength. The car gradually begins to increase the current and at the same time monitors the voltage. If suddenly a voltage drop is detected with an increase in power or its fluctuation, the current strength will be limited. This is how network overload protection works.

In our case, the wiring was quite new, so the car quickly reached the maximum for of this type 16 A sockets and started charging at a power of 11 kW. About a quarter of the battery needed to be charged to a "full tank", and the estimated charge time was 2 hours. Not fast, to say the least. Nevertheless, while the car was put in order, it was possible to charge almost completely. Good for a start. A full charge from the red socket will take about 8 hours.

If the car is closed during charging, the Mobile Connector is blocked in the connector and all illumination is turned off so as not to attract too much attention.

After driving around the city, it's time to check the charging speed in the garage from ordinary socket. And here came the bummer: the Mobile Connector blinked red four times, which is an indication of the lack of grounding. No "ground" - no charge. Very often, electricians are not serious about grounding, so you can find ungrounded or “zeroed” sockets everywhere. So the presence of a euro socket in the wall does not guarantee you the opportunity to recharge from it. Even if you are lucky and there is a ground, the charging speed will be four times slower than the red socket, since the maximum power in this case only 3 kW. A full charge will take over 33 hours!

If you want to charge at home faster than the red outlet allows, you must optional equipment. One charger installed in the car, by default, allows you to charge at a power of 11 kW. The optional second one can be installed directly at the factory or added later, in which case the maximum charging power will be 22 kW. In addition, you will need to install the High Power Wall Connector (HPWC), which is almost a complete analogue of the Mobile Connector, only installed permanently and has a thicker cable.

If HPWC is the only alternative in America, in Europe you can buy a similar device with a Type 2 connector and the corresponding cable. But in the case of a cable from third party manufacturers you will not be able to open the charging hatch by pressing the button in the cable. You will have to open it from the central screen or from mobile phone through the application, which is not very convenient. Power of 22 kW will allow you to fully charge in 4 hours.

But perhaps the most a big problem in the case of charging at 22 kW, this is the allocation of the corresponding power. If you can't get 22 kW at the car parking lot, it doesn't make sense to order a second charger in the car and HPWC. For convenience in the garage, it is best to purchase a second Mobile Connector and use it as a stationary one, permanently connected to a power outlet. And carry the original with you in the trunk, just in case you need to recharge on the road. Most likely, on the way you will be charged from a regular (if you are lucky with grounding) or a red socket. Even if you suddenly find a Type 2 connector with a power of 22 kW at the Belarusian electric filling station of the future, then 4 hours is still too long for recharging during the day. In the case of charging at night, the difference of 4 or 8 hours does not matter.

Why cities don't need electric refueling

Now let's talk about electric stations. This is the most asked question to the owner of an electric car. Oddly enough, in the city, Tesla owners do not need electric stations in principle. The real power reserve is 300-350 km, in the worst case (when minus 20 Celsius and traffic jams) it drops to 200 km. In the evening you put the car on charge (just like a mobile phone), and in the morning you always " full tank» (if red outlet or HPWC). In the case of a conventional outlet, a “full tank” may not work, especially in winter. Therefore, the best electric charging station is the red outlet in your home.

Is it possible to operate a Tesla normally if you do not have a garage or parking space? Since the installation of the home red socket was delayed, and the euro socket in the garage did not have grounding, we drove the first thousand kilometers in the "parking near the house" mode. Thanks to the kind people at the Peugeot car wash, at Atlant-M Britannia and DAF Trucks, we used their red sockets every few days. In all cases, there were no problems, with the exception of two points - you have to wait a long time for charging to complete and wipe the cable from dust and dirt before putting it back in the trunk. Night charging is much more pleasant: you sleep - the car is charging. During the day it is very inconvenient.

The Model S can be charged at any time without having to wait until it is completely empty. The battery has no memory effect, will not recharge if you leave it plugged in for for a long time. The manufacturer generally recommends leaving it connected all the time until you drive. This is especially important in winter severe frost. You can remotely turn on the climate control and warm up both the interior and the car battery from the mains. Another handy feature is the automatic marking on the map of all the places where you have ever charged. Thus, after some time, own card"electric stations".

Is it possible to "reset the extension cord" from the apartment? Theoretically yes, practically no. Firstly, it will be unsafe in rain or snow, and secondly, charging from a regular outlet takes a catastrophically long time. Therefore, in order to use an electric car normally, installing a three-phase red socket near a permanent parking place at work or at home is priority which should be taken care of in advance.

To install a three-phase socket at home, you, in a good way, will need to make a project, go through the stages of approvals, mount sockets, lay cables and, it is possible, install an additional electricity meter. All this can be undertaken by a specialized organization that deals with electrics. In each individual case, the timing, cost, availability of electric power will vary. Therefore, before thinking about buying an electric car, you definitely need to understand for yourself how you will solve the issue of charging.

Main difference fast charging from slow in that it immediately delivers D.C. high power directly to the battery, bypassing the charger built into the car. in the USA and Europe Tesla develops its own network of electric charging stations, which are called Supercharger. Depending on the version, they charge with direct current with a voltage of 400 V and a power of 90 to 135 kW. Moreover, stations with a capacity of 150 kW will be launched in the summer. For Tesla Model S owners, the use of these chargers is unlimited and free of charge. This charge allows you to replenish half the battery in 20 minutes.

It will take more time to fully charge the battery, because when charging after 80% of full capacity, the battery starts to heat up more and the power must be reduced. The company has very ambitious development plans Supercharger networks in Europe and the USA.

The second, universal, fast charging option is the Chademo network. The idea is the same, but not always free and with a maximum power of 50 kW. For Model S, there is a special adapter that allows you to charge from these stations. Chademo connector has enough big size and nowhere near as comfortable as the Type 2.

There are Chademo stations in Belarus (free charging), Russia and other neighboring countries.

The best option for Europe would be the development of universal stations that could charge electric vehicles with direct current through a standard Type 2 connector, similar to the Supercharger. But, as far as I know, there are no such solutions for Model S from third-party companies on the market yet. Because for DC charging, Tesla uses its own protocol, according to which the car and the Supercharger “negotiate”. However, support for such charging can be implemented by updating software cars, if Tesla Motors and Europeans will have a common vision of this issue.

What is the expense? 25 kWh per hundred!

Tesla's energy consumption is measured in watt-hours per kilometer. The first thousand kilometers showed an average real consumption about 250 Wh per 1 km. We multiply this figure by 100 and we get about 25 kWh of energy expended per 100 km. But here you need to remember that the charger does not have 100% efficiency, and the battery is normal mode Tesla charges up to 90% (to extend the life and be able to use regenerative braking). When fully charged, the car severely limits the power that is returned to the battery when you slow down.

Thus, fully charging a Tesla with an 85 kWh battery will require about 100 kWh, with a 90% charge - about 90 kWh. If we take a real, pessimistic range of 300 km, then for every 100 km of the Model S, about 30 kWh are consumed.

If we take as a basis the usual tariff for individuals(but at the same time, the monthly consumption will exceed 150 kWh), namely 917 rubles, then every 100 km will cost 27,510 rubles. And this despite the fact that the car has 412 liters. s., 600 Nm of torque and accelerates to hundreds in 4.4 s.

One of the nice things about charging is the presence mobile application for iOS and Android. It allows you to remotely track the status of the car, its location, control the central lock, climate control system and, most importantly, monitor the progress of charging. You can see anywhere at what power in this moment the machine is charging and how much time is left before the process is completed.

In summary, here are some things to keep in mind:

• charging from a conventional euro socket requires real grounding and lasts more than a day;
• for normal operation, you need a red three-phase socket in the garage or in the parking lot, which allows you to fully charge overnight (8 hours);
• the second charger in the car and HPWC do not make much sense, it is more reasonable to buy a second Mobile Connector and use it as a stationary one;
• the car is designed for regular charging at night, just like your mobile phone;
• without permanent place using a Tesla with an electrical outlet is very inconvenient;
• without fast electric charging stations with a capacity of 50 kW or more on the highways long trips extremely difficult;
• you will not be able to charge the American Model S from a three-phase outlet;
• the cost of electricity per 100 kilometers is less than $3.

Is it worth all this dancing with charging? Oh yeah! Even if you do not take into account the multiple savings on fuel, Model S gives a completely new driving experience. The reaction of a person to the acceleration of this car even received a special name tesla grin, which can be translated as "Tesla's wide smile." But we will talk about this in the next article;)

Impressions from Tesla operation winter in Russia

To bookmarks

Alexander Chachava, managing partner of the LETA Capital venture fund, shared his experience of operating a Tesla car in Moscow, and also gave some advice on using a car in winter.

For a year and a half I have been driving Tesla car and already dashed off 14 thousand km. Heard that consumer qualities fall in the second year of ownership, the batteries work worse, the car starts to have problems.

I did not notice anything, everything works like clockwork. I don’t know what will happen at 50 thousand km, but so far everything is fine. The lack of maintenance is a little annoying, Tesla told me that no action is needed with the machine, it will report a malfunction if something happens. I am so accustomed to the instantaneous response of the electric motor that on petrol cars At first, I am surprised by the delay after the gas, even on a BMW.

But the sound of the engine is a bit lacking for completeness of sensations, although sometimes you like silence when you want to sit in silence, and not drive. In general, the engine roar option that can be ordered from an electric car tuning studio is not as idiotic as it seems at first glance.

Tesla cars are getting more and more popular every year. The number of owners of electric vehicles in Russia is also gradually growing. Many people who first hear about this car, interested in the question how to charge a Tesla car in Russia? In fact, charging vehicles is not a novelty for a long time and is quite common in most countries of the world.

Tesla gas stations in Russia

The number of happy Tesla owners is confirmed by statistics: in 2013 there were only 8 cars in Russia, in just 2 years this figure reached 122 registered Teslas. According to unofficial data, the number of cars has long reached 300 copies. At the moment, you can meet an electric car on the streets of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Khabarovsk, Perm, Saransk and other cities.

Moscow Tesla Club has been trying to make the life of the owners for several years popular car much more convenient and comfortable. Map of Tesla gas stations in Russia clearly demonstrates successful work club.

But not all regions of our country are ready to accept Tesla. Now projects for high-speed electric refueling ChaDeMo cars are only at the development stage, but there are operating stations in Moscow. Such Tesla gas stations in Russia planned to open in all major centers countries. The Model S and Model X are equipped with free car charging at Supercharger stations. However, owners do not always need a station in every city. Full battery enough for more than 300 km, which allows you to travel without problems. It is only necessary to connect the electric car to the network at night, such as a mobile phone. The machines are provided with a map where the places where food was produced are automatically marked.

How to charge Tesla in Russia

The fastest and affordable way charging an electric car for most people is from a home network. Popular questions for motorists: how to charge Tesla in Russia more convenient and how long does it take? Car charging is a little different from the view. The European specification provides for power from three-phase current, which affects the speed of charge, unlike American version. Let's answer each question in detail.

Each Tesla car has a connector where the device is connected. The electric car comes with a special charger (called the Mobile Connector). But in addition, you can buy other equipment - High Power Wall Connector, allowing you to charge the car much faster in your own garage. There is also an adapter that allows you to power through a regular outlet with a voltage of 220V.

When connected to a three-phase red socket, a charge for 100 km lasts about one hour. A full charge of the car takes no more than 8 hours. It takes too much time from a conventional outlet - in 60 minutes you can get less than 20 km. A home outlet requires grounding, without which the electric vehicle will not charge. Otherwise, the power supply may be less than 3 kW, which affects the time. In this case, a full charge will last more than 30 hours.

Tesla charge can be performed at different climatic conditions- from -30 to +45 degrees Celsius, which makes it possible to use an electric car in many regions of Russia.

The first place to charge a car is charging stations Tesla in Russia. The second most common place is own house. Another option for charging is car washes that have three-phase red sockets.

To charge, you only need to plug the equipment into a socket and connect it to an electric vehicle. In order for the door with the connector to open in the machine, press the button located on one side of the cable. After that, a special connector opens in the taillight, where you need to insert the cable. If the equipment is working properly, the indicators near the headlights will turn green.

Don't worry about power surges. Teslas are equipped with a device that monitors voltage. If it is higher than necessary, the current strength is limited. Also, there is no recharging of the batteries - this allows you to charge the car without waiting for a complete discharge. From everything we can conclude: Tesla is developing very quickly, charging an electric car is not a problem for the inhabitants of Russia.

First of all, ask following questions: What is the Tesla charging time? How to charge a Tesla? Where can I charge my Tesla? And what does the charger look like? Tesla device?

Here's what it looks like tesla charging station Houses. Well, we see - there is a thick corrugation, inside there is the same thick cable, there is an automatic machine, we turn on the automatic machine, then through again, nifiga, not small connectors, such a not small wall-mounted beautiful thing with a cable is connected, which, in fact, gives current to the car . Now about 80 Amperes are suitable for it, which is about 17 kW. It means that tesla charging time with it will be 5 hours.

We approach the car, press the button on the plug and the charging port opens.

When the charging is over, we take this same plug, take it out, hang it up and leave.

Such Tesla car charger costs $1,200 plus tax, i.e. Roughly speaking, about $1,300. Theoretically, you can hang an ordinary American power outlet, costing $ 30 in America, through it you can give up to 40 amperes, inclusive, i.e. about 10 kW, which will provide a Tesla charging time of 8 to 10 hours.

In principle, at home or even with a temporary connection, you can use a regular American power outlet.

This socket is plugged into a regular mobile connector that comes with the car, this is what it looks like.

And the difference between the $1,300 wall-mounted, stationary version and the connector that comes with the kit is quite simple - you need to get it out of the trunk and plug it into the network, and you just need to insert the wall connector into the car.

Now what happens inside the car when we charge it? What does she show us? on-board computer ?

This very charging screen - you can see that the car is already charged by almost 80%, and you can see how it is gaining those very Amperes, and the Amperes are gradually growing a little bit so as not to spoil the cold battery, i.e. at first she takes 30A, after a minute already 40A and so on up to 80A. And here on this screen you can see how many kW it is now suitable for and how much kW / h it has already downloaded for this charge. Also in parallel, the car shows how much time remains until full charge. In our case, about an hour and a half. This is basically all you need about how to charge a Tesla. As you can see, everything is very simple.

But there is one thing here. First and most importantly, it is good for those people who have such a micro infrastructure of their own, which allows them to have 80A of single-phase current. For most, the maximum power is 40A, and in the household in a private house (at the dacha, at work), much lower currents of 12A are available. And here it is worth saying that charging a Tesla car through a regular household outlet, maximum current which is 12A, Tesla full charge time is about 16 hours, and is about 200 km in hard operation mode.

The main problem of any electric car in any country is to get enough electrical power, i.e. in the office, at home, in the country. And this is really a problem, at least in Russia, because. Right now we don’t have any regulations or any other procedures for allocating power specifically for cars, for summer cottages, but not for cars. This is exactly what is the main headache for owners of electric cars. It is clear that each user can independently agree with the energy supply organization, but in order for there to be as many electric machines in our country as possible, a procedure is needed that will be clear to each user: where to go, what application to leave, what a reasonable amount of money to pay, and then there will be that the power you need most. This is exactly what it is main problem operation.

As for the city infrastructure, just yesterday there was news that Moscow parking lots will be equipped with chargers - this is certainly good, some kind of step into the future. But according to Tesla Motors statistics, about 90% of Tesla cars in America are charged at home, i.e. this is either charging at home in the parking lot, or charging in the country, if people live in their homes. And only 10% is obtained at supercharges and at public gas stations. Of course, city gas stations are good, but these are not charging stations - these are charging stations, i.e. I just came to the store and recharged the car a little, or you just go somewhere - got some life-giving energy and drove on to be guaranteed to get there, i.e. because of the weather or because of the traffic jam, do not accidentally suck out all the energy. But the most important thing is charging at home or in the country, where a person lives, where a person leaves the car to charge at night, and this problem, which is solved in Europe and the USA, can be contacted in networks or private (both public and near public) companies that can solve this problem and the only place in America where there are problems with charging is Manhattan, and that’s only because it is already very small and there are really problems with electricity, there is an energy shortage, and in the same Moscow and all of Russia there is energy surplus, t .e. shaft, at least in high-voltage networks, and there is no problem to allocate additional energy through these high-voltage networks. It turns out that there is energy, but then this most necessary link and procedure is missing so that each user simply by submitting an application, paying reasonable money, gets himself electric power to charge his car.

The first question that arises for a person who is interested in electric vehicles is: “How to charge them?”. Tesla Model S is considered the first among them, which is worthy of respect. The answer will be based on it.

The original article and photos were taken from auto.onliner.by

Everyone knows physics within the school curriculum, which means they remember what it is: an ammeter, a voltmeter and kilowatts.

The battery capacity used in electric vehicles is measured in kilowatt-hours. For the model under consideration, this value is 85 kW / h. This means that the battery can theoretically deliver 85 kW per hour or one kilowatt for 85 hours. This is assuming there are no losses. In reality, of course, they are available, since the charging speed is not always the same.

Power, i.e. A watt is voltage (volts) times current (amps). To better understand the difference between voltage and current, we can draw an analogy with water. The current strength can be compared with the diameter of the pipe from which water flows under pressure (voltage). When pumping water through a narrow pipe, but under high pressure, as well as when pumping it through a wide pipe, but under low pressure, you can pump the same volume of this liquid (kilowatt-hour). Only in the second case, the filling process will be quick, and in the first case it will be longer. Continuing to compare further, we find that in order for high voltage, reliable insulation is necessary (in the case of water, a thick pipe wall), and for large size current strength - cross section (pipe diameter).

The most common household euro sockets have the following parameters: current strength -16A or less, and voltage - 220V. If we multiply these two values, we get the maximum power equal to 3520W, or almost 3.5 kW.

No less common in production (less often in everyday life) are three-phase sockets. They have the same 220 watts in each phase, giving a phase to phase voltage of 380V. Their current strength, as a rule, is also equal to 16A. Multiplying these three values ​​​​(taking into account the three phases) we get a power of 10.5 kW (220x16x3). Such an outlet in European version has five located in a circle of contacts. Its color is red, which is why it is often called the “red rosette”.

There are also “blue sockets” - single-phase (32A), but they are practically never found in our country.

Another nuance: the battery is charged with a constant current, and an alternating current flows in the network, so it needs to be “straightened”. For this, a charger is used, just as when charging a mobile phone or laptop, a digital camera, etc. The only difference is that this device is installed for charging inside an electric car.

For the Model S model of the basic configuration, it is one, and its power is 11 kW. At the request of the client, the second one is also installed. In this case, the power is doubled. In addition, the car kit includes a Mobile Connector, which resembles a charger in shape, but is actually a “smart” connecting cable.

For the German market, two adapters are provided, which are also included in the kit. One of them allows you to charge an electric car from a regular outlet, the other from a “red” one. For American customers, there is a set of single-phase sockets of various capacities included. For "American women" the main limitation is the inability to charge the car from a three-phase outlet.

Mobile Connector

For cars delivered to Europe, a single standard was adopted in 2009, according to which electric vehicles must have a Mennekes Type 2 connector for charging. Today it is used in the BMW i3, Renault Zoe, and now in the Model S. Its advantage is that it can work with current, both alternating and direct, with a single- and three-phase network. It is also much safer than traditional connections, since energy transfer can only begin after it is fully connected to the car and an “arrangement has been reached” between the latter and the cable about the type of electric current and the required charging power. In a vehicle designed for American market, a more compact unique connector of its own design will be installed, but it does not allow the use of three-phase current.

First charge - at the car wash!

Having learned all about sockets and cables, you can proceed to the actual charging. The first refueling can be done (at least in Belarus) right at the Peugeot car wash, where there is a “red socket” and understanding of employees.

To do this, the Mobile Connector is inserted into the socket, then the indicator lights up green. At the opposite end of the cable there is a handle with a button, as well as a Type 2 connector. We press this button so that the door on the driver's side in the taillight opens automatically, where the connector is connected. We insert it - charging has begun, as evidenced by three blinking LEDs in the headlight. In the cabin, on the monitor, you can get information about the current strength (230V in our case). Protection will monitor the network overload: if there is a voltage drop with an increase in power, or if it fluctuates, then the current strength will be automatically limited.

For new wiring, the time to reach 16A is short. Having reached them, battery charging starts at a power of 11 kW. It takes two hours to charge the battery by ¼. It takes 8 hours to fully charge from this outlet.

The illumination is turned off if the car is closed during charging, due to the fact that the Mobile Connector is blocked in the connector. Very good when you do not need to attract attention.

Carrying out tests on the car, after a trip around the city, they checked the charging speed. We did this in the garage using a regular (household) outlet. Mobile Connector suddenly blinked red. And this indicates the absence of grounding, without which there will be no charging. By the way, we have this important factor electricians are not serious, so more often household sockets are “zeroed”, which does not allow charging an electric car. But, even if the outlet is “ok”, the charging time from it is much longer than from the “red” outlet, since its maximum power is only 3 kW. For more than thirty hours, the car will not be able to be useful, because that is how long it will take to fully charge it.

As mentioned, one charger is installed in the car, but if you install the second directly at the factory, then you can double the maximum charge power, i.e. up to 22 kW. Additionally, you will need to install a High Power Wall Connector device, similar to the stationary Mobile Connector.

HPWC is the only alternative for Americans, while Europe has another one with a matching cable and Type 2 connector. Unfortunately, a third-party cable does not allow opening in automatic mode charging hatch, and you will have to open it using a mobile and corresponding application or from the central monitor. But there is an opportunity to charge within four hours.

Indeed, the problem is rather the allocation of appropriate power when charging at 22 kW. If there is no opportunity to get 22kW at the parking lot, then there is no point in installing a second charger. It is recommended to purchase a second Mobile Connector in order to use it as a stationary one in the garage

Are electric stations needed in cities?

All experts agree that the owners Tesla gas stations not needed in the city. Why? Yes, everything is simple: the power reserve of the car is about 350 km (even at minus twenty, this is at least 200 km), i.e. more than enough for a day's run. And at night, the car is put on charge in its own garage (just like we do it with mobile phones). In the morning he has a "full tank" and is ready to go. It is desirable, of course, to have a “red” socket at home, so that even in winter period be guaranteed to be fully charged.

If there is no garage or there is still no “red” socket at home, or there is no grounding in the euro socket, you can drive a thousand kilometers in the “parking near the house” mode using the “handy” “red sockets” (at a car wash, in services, etc. .). But, every time after refueling, you will have to clean it from dirt and dust before putting the cable in the trunk. But even more unpleasant is a long idle time waiting for the battery to “fill up”. Of course, you can not fully charge the Model S, since the battery does not have a memory effect. But, it will not recharge if it remains connected to the outlet for a long time. According to the manufacturer's recommendations, it should be kept on charge when not being driven, which is especially important in cold weather. This will allow you to warm up the battery, like the interior of the car, by turning on the climate control remotely. Another plus of this recommendation is that over time, the driver gets his own map of impromptu “electric filling stations”, since all the places where the car has ever been refueled are automatically marked on the map.

Another question often worries drivers: “Is it possible to “drop” an extension cord from an apartment?”. Answer: No! It is very dangerous in bad weather, firstly. Secondly, it will be catastrophically long. Therefore, in place permanent parking installing a three-phase outlet is the first necessity. And it's better to take care of it in advance.

To do this, you need a project that needs to be coordinated with the relevant authorities, after which you can start laying the cable (possibly installing an additional electric meter). You can entrust the work to the relevant organizations. But the electric car is worth it, and when you, having become its owner, feel all the delights of innovative transport, you will understand that all the preparatory difficulties were worth it.

Well, the bigger signs on the A-100, calling for refueling electric vehicles here, are only the whims of the owners of the gas station. The staff has no idea how to use it, it turned out in a conversation with employees.

An attempt to contact the authorities, during testing, ended with the phrase that it was intended "for official use!".

Therefore, one can only talk about the A-100 gas station as an incorrect marketing move. But only!

Perfect option– if refueling for everyday driving there is in the city. But for long-distance travel Eastern Europe this is big problem to date. You can still get to Vilnius if you agree with the owners of the “red” outlet about refueling at night. It is impossible to get to Moscow due to the lack of a network of gas stations on the highway. In Europe and the USA, these are easier. It has its own network, called Supercharger, where Tesla can be charged, depending on the version, with a direct current of 90-135 kV and a voltage of 400 V. Stations with a capacity of 150 kW will soon be launched there. Tesla drivers can use them for free and without restrictions. A full charge is carried out on them within twenty minutes.

In the company's ambitious plans, further development Supercharger in these countries, but no information has yet been announced regarding Eastern Europe.

North America: Existing Supercharger network

Gas station construction planned for 2015 in North America

Europe: Supercharger stations

By 2015, plans to develop a network of gas stations in Europe

Another versatile option is the Chademo network - same idea, but not free. With the help of a special conductor, Tesla is refueled, but at a maximum power of 50 kW. Disadvantage: large connector size, which is less convenient than Type.

For Europe the best option there would be the development of stations that allow you to charge the car through the Type 2 connector using direct current. But, there are no such solutions from third-party organizations yet.

How much does a full charge cost?

The tests carried out indicate that 250 W/h is consumed per kilometer, i.e. 25 kW/h per hundred kilometers. But, you need to take into account that the efficiency of the charger is not 100%, and the battery in normal mode is only “filled” by 90% in order to be able to use reproductive inhibition, as well as extend battery life.

It turns out. That in order to charge an 85 kW / h Tesla battery, you need 100 kW / h and 90 kW / h if it is filled by 90%. Considering real stock travel - 300 km, we have 30 kV / h for every hundred kilometers.

At the electricity tariff for ordinary individuals, but taking into account that it will be more than 150 kW (i.e. 917 rubles), we get: in rubles for every hundred kilometers traveled it will cost 27,510 rubles. But, at the same time, you are driving a car with 412 hp under the hood, and acceleration to one hundred kilometers takes 4.4 seconds!

It is also very convenient that you can track the status of the car, control its central lock, know the location, use the climate control system and, most importantly, control the charging progress, using a mobile android apps and iOS.

In summary, here are some things to remember:

• For charging from a conventional euro socket, which lasts a day, grounding is necessary.
• For comfortable operation in the parking lot and in the garage, you need a “red2” socket, from which you can fully charge in eight hours.
• When choosing between buying a second charger and Mobile Connector, the second option would be preferable, which can be used as a stationary one.
• It is very inconvenient to use a Tesla if there is no permanent place with an electrical outlet.
• It is extremely difficult to travel long distances along routes that are not equipped with special gas stations.
• American Model S cannot be charged from a three-phase socket.
• At least three dollars must be paid for the electricity required to cover a hundred kilometers.

Despite all the difficulties so far, an electric car is worth it to buy, because it gives you an unprecedented driving experience!