Tesla EVs Now Show Power Source: Solar or Coal

Tracking Energy Sources for Tesla Vehicles with TezLab

Tesla vehicle owners are now able to determine the precise energy sources utilized to power their electric cars. TezLab, a complimentary application functioning similarly to a fitness tracker for Tesla vehicles, recently introduced a new capability. This feature details the energy composition – specifying the exact types and proportions of both fossil fuels and renewable energy – originating from charging stations, encompassing Superchargers and networks operated by third parties across the United States.

Understanding the Origin of Energy

“Our system monitors the provenance of energy data, allowing us to pinpoint the source of power in any location, be it Tucson or Brooklyn, and analyze its composition,” explained Ben Schippers, CEO and co-founder of TezLab, in a recent discussion. “Consequently, we can calculate the carbon emissions associated with each charging session, whether it occurs at home or a Supercharger.”

Data Provided by ElectricityMap

The energy data is supplied by ElectricityMap, a project developed by Tomorrow. TezLab integrates this data into its user-friendly application. Upon installation, the app identifies when and where a Tesla owner connects to a charging point. This energy mix feature expands upon an existing function within the app that provided owners with a broader assessment of their charge’s environmental impact.

Consider Tesla’s Linq High Roller Supercharger in Las Vegas, a V3 Supercharger capable of delivering up to 250 kilowatts and recognized for its integration of Tesla solar panels and Powerpack batteries for power generation and storage.

Energy Mix Examples

According to TezLab’s analysis, solar energy accounts for 1.7% of the power supplied at the Linq High Roller Supercharger. The dominant renewable source is actually hydroelectric power, contributing 65.6% – a result of the proximity to the Hoover Dam. Natural gas comprises the remaining approximately 33% of the energy mix.

At Tesla’s Supercharger in Hawthorne, California, one of the earliest to incorporate solar panels, the energy composition is as follows: 0.2% solar, 5.5% nuclear, 13.3% natural gas, 27% coal, and 49.9% wind.

Identifying Cleanest and Most Solar-Powered Superchargers

The ten “cleanest” Superchargers – including locations in Centralia, Leavenworth, Moses Lake, and Seattle, Washington – owe their status to hydroelectric power. Superchargers utilizing the most solar energy are all situated within the same power grid in California.

Superchargers in Barstow, Oxnard, Cabazon, San Diego, Mojave, Inyokern, San Mateo, Seaside, and Santa Ana, California, all demonstrate an energy mix of 22.7% solar and 15% wind. The remaining energy sources at these locations include 0.2% battery storage, 2.9% biomass, 5.6% geothermal, 6.3% hydro, 6.6% nuclear, and 40% natural gas.

The Origins of TezLab

TezLab originated from HappyFunCorp, a software engineering firm specializing in app development for mobile, web, wearable, and Internet of Things platforms. Their clientele includes major companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter, alongside numerous startups. The engineers at HFC, including co-founders Schippers (now chairman of the board) and William Schenk, were drawn to Tesla due to its software-centric approach.

The team was particularly interested in the opportunities presented by the Tesla API, which, while technically private, offers accessible endpoints allowing third-party applications to communicate directly with the system through reverse engineering.

TezLab’s Features and Data Usage

TezLab was initially launched in 2018, offering features such as efficiency tracking, total mileage recording, and vehicle control functionalities like remote locking/unlocking and climate control. Additional features have been implemented, primarily focused on community building, including a Supercharger rating system.

All collected data is aggregated and anonymized. TezLab has affirmed its commitment to not selling this data, but it does publish insights derived from it on its website, such as breakdowns of model ownership, average trip lengths, and charging frequency.

Expanding to Other Electric Vehicles

As the market for electric vehicles expands, TezLab is extending its support to other models, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E.