Supercharger Network

INST760: Data Visualization

Data Cognition, Representation, Storytelling, & Techniques

Our team sought to capture the benefits of unlocking the Tesla Supercharger Network, a well established fast-charging (Level 3) network exclusive to Tesla's electric vehicles (EVs) across the United States. This network was the first of its kind, & promised Tesla owners peace-of-mind that their EV’s would be supported throughout their ownership. This charging infrastructure has been long touted as a primary reason to purchase a Tesla over their EV competition, & opening this network would make EV adoption much more palatable for consumers across the US.

Who

Austin, Jay, & Nick

What

Semester-long Project

When

Fall 2022

Why

Big Data

How

After Effects ArcGIS Plugshare Tableau

The Tesla Road Trip (image generated by DALL.E 2)

Overview

Our goal was to visualize the adoption of EVs & to study the effects of charging infrastructures to determine whether unlocking Tesla’s Supercharger Network is essential for the future of EVs. Through our research, we established that Tesla’s unique value proposition, the Tesla Supercharger Network, may no longer hold the advantage over other manufacturers it once did. Although the Tesla Supercharger Network is still dominant & evergrowing, it has come to light that other networks are just as capable.

Challenge

The final visualization is an animated video of a cross-country road trip between the Tesla Model 3 (Long Range) & Ford Mustang Mach-E (California Route-1). This journey pushed both cars to their range limits & evaluated if range anxiety, due to charging infrastructure, is still something to be concerned about. It concluded with highly similar results given the 2,800+ miles covered & dynamically chosen different routes. As of December 2022, The Mach-E & the Model 3 are highly comparable in regards to their respective networks as well as in price & range figures.

Contribution

Our team worked very closely together to produce a project we are all passionate & proud to call our own. My work included researching the EV market, scrubbing irrelevant data, compiling relevant data, creating Tableau visualizations, iterating those visualizations, route-planning, & data storytelling.

Design Process

760_Timeline of EV Manufacturers (Range _ Price).jpg

760_Level 3 EV Network Charging Stations Map.jpg

760_Level 3 EV Network Charging Stations Map.png

Results

Ford Mustang Mach-E (California Route-1)

Total Time
- 55 Hours & 9 Minutes
Total Distance
- 2831 Miles
Total Stops
- 16 Charging Stations

Tesla Model 3 (Long Range)

Total Time
- 54 Hours & 25 Minutes (-30 min)
Total Distance
- 2821 Miles (-10 Mi)
Total Stops
- 15 Charging Stations (-1 Stop)

Takeaways

We were very pleased with the results of this project as we believe it showcases the end of Tesla’s dominance in the EV market. Providing potential EV owners with the knowledge & confidence in purchasing an EV from a manufacturer other than Tesla. This high level of competition is an excellent sign for the future of the automotive industry.

Click here to continue reading final submission on Medium.