Where do electric vehicles charge when the power grid can’t keep up? Tesla’s building a massive charging station in Lost Hills, California that doesn’t need power lines at all. The company’s creating one of the world’s largest Supercharger stations that runs entirely on solar power and batteries.
The station will have 168 charging stalls when it’s finished, though only 84 are working right now. Tesla built the first phase in just eight months, opening it during the busy holiday travel season. The location sits on a key route for electric vehicle drivers traveling through California. The site includes 12 pull-through units designed specifically for vehicles towing trailers or boats.
What makes this station special is its energy system. Tesla installed 30 acres of solar panels that generate 11 megawatts of power. They’ve also added 10 Tesla Megapacks that store 39 megawatt-hours of electricity. This combination lets the station operate completely off-grid as of July 2025.
The solar panels do double duty. They generate clean electricity while providing shade for vehicles charging underneath. The battery storage system saves power during sunny hours and uses it when drivers need to charge at night or during cloudy weather. The system can provide approximately 1,000 charges daily without drawing any power from the electrical grid.
This approach solves several problems. The station can keep running even when the regular power grid fails. It doesn’t depend on utility companies to bring power lines to remote locations. Tesla can build these stations faster in areas where connecting to the grid would take too long or cost too much.
The environmental benefits are significant. The station prevents 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. That’s like powering 2,000 American homes with clean energy instead of fossil fuels.
Tesla plans to finish all 168 charging stalls by late 2025. They’re also building a driver lounge where travelers can rest during long trips. The company estimates electricity costs about 40 cents per kilowatt-hour at the station. Unlike traditional charging locations, Sentry Mode automatically disables at Supercharger stations to preserve battery power for travel. Additionally, Tesla is enhancing the Supercharger experience by integrating more data-driven features for users. Customers will be able to access their tesla supercharger session statistics through the mobile app, allowing them to monitor charging habits and expenses. This transparency aims to improve overall satisfaction and encourage efficient charging practices.
This project shows how Tesla combines its electric vehicles, solar panels, and battery technology into one system. It could become the blueprint for building more charging stations across the country, especially in areas where the power grid can’t handle the growing demand from electric vehicles.