Tesla Opens World's Largest Supercharger as Los Angeles Expands Curbside Charging and Volkswagen Joins Network

Introduction

The EV charging infrastructure landscape in California and across the nation continues its rapid transformation, with record-breaking stations, innovative curbside solutions, and expanded network access making headlines this week. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we monitor these developments closely to help Los Angeles property owners make informed decisions about their commercial EV charger installations and residential charging solutions. This week's news brings particularly exciting developments for Southern California, including a major Los Angeles Department of Transportation initiative that directly benefits city residents who lack access to home charging.

Tesla Opens World's Largest Supercharger Station in California

Tesla announced on November 25, 2025 that all 164 Supercharger stalls are now operational at its Lost Hills, California location, making it the world's largest EV charging station. The facility represents a remarkable achievement in sustainable infrastructure, operating almost entirely off-grid thanks to 11 megawatts of solar panels that double as shaded canopies over the parking spots. Ten of Tesla's utility-scale Megapack batteries provide 39 megawatt-hours of energy storage, allowing the station to run on sunshine for nearly every day of the year. Source: InsideEVs.

The Lost Hills Supercharger features 164 V4 stalls capable of delivering up to 325 kilowatts each, adding approximately 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes for compatible vehicles. Located 142 miles northwest of Los Angeles along the I-5 corridor, this station addresses one of the busiest travel routes connecting Southern and Northern California. Tesla completed construction in approximately 13 months, opening the first 84 stalls on July 4, 2025 just before the holiday weekend rush. The station's 30-acre footprint can theoretically handle over 1,000 vehicles daily, assuming average charge times of 20 minutes.

For Los Angeles property owners considering EV infrastructure investments, Tesla's achievement demonstrates the direction of the industry toward larger, more sustainable charging facilities. As we discussed in our guide to EV charger installations in 2025, properties that install charging infrastructure now position themselves to capture growing EV driver demand. Shaffer Construction helps commercial clients design charging installations that can scale with demand while maintaining electrical system integrity through proper electrical load studies.

Los Angeles Expands Curbside EV Charging with 90 New Public Ports

The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation announced a partnership with it's electric, a curbside charging company, to deploy 90 new public EV charging ports across the city over the next 12 months. The first 15 chargers opened in November and December at three Koreatown locations: 4473 West 1st Street, 625 South Harvard Boulevard, and 615 South Virgil Avenue. These new stations replace the former BlueLA carshare network equipment, bringing fully public charging access to neighborhoods where many residents lack driveways or garages for home charging. Source: PR Newswire.

The initiative introduces the country's first detachable cable EV charging solution to Los Angeles, directly addressing the widespread issue of charging cable theft and vandalism that has plagued public charging infrastructure. Each driver who uses the network receives a free cable from it's electric, and the detachable design future-proofs these stations by ensuring interoperability with all vehicles regardless of connector type. The Level 2 chargers are ideal for overnight charging, giving drivers who rely on public chargers the same plug it and forget it convenience that drivers with home charging enjoy.

This expansion is particularly significant for Los Angeles apartment dwellers and renters who cannot install home chargers. Property owners of multifamily buildings should consider how these public charging developments affect tenant expectations and property values. As detailed in our ultimate guide to home EV charger installation, there are multiple pathways to providing charging access for residents. Shaffer Construction works with apartment building owners throughout Los Angeles to design and install charging solutions that serve resident needs while managing electrical demand effectively.

Volkswagen EVs Finally Gain Tesla Supercharger Access

After nearly a year of delays, Volkswagen owners in the United States and Canada gained access to the Tesla Supercharger network on November 18, 2025, just in time for Thanksgiving travel. Owners of the ID.4 and ID.Buzz can now charge at more than 25,000 Supercharger locations across North America using a $200 NACS adapter available from Volkswagen. Model year 2025 vehicle owners are eligible for a $100 rebate on the adapter if purchased before July 15, 2026, while model year 2026 and newer VW EVs will come with the adapter included. Source: Electrek.

Volkswagen becomes the 22nd major automaker to gain access to Tesla's Supercharger network following the industry-wide adoption of the North American Charging Standard. VW's subsidiaries Audi and Porsche actually beat the parent brand to the punch, enabling Supercharger access for their EV owners back in September. The expansion of network interoperability means that property owners installing EV chargers no longer need to worry as much about connector compatibility, as NACS has become the de facto standard for new installations.

For commercial property owners in Los Angeles, this development reinforces the value of installing chargers that serve all vehicle types. Whether your property serves retail customers, office tenants, or multifamily residents, Shaffer Construction can help you select equipment that maximizes compatibility and utilization. The convergence toward NACS simplifies equipment decisions while ensuring your investment serves the broadest possible range of EV drivers.

Tesla Expands Dynamic Pricing to 550 Supercharger Stations

Tesla expanded its live pricing system to more than 550 additional Supercharger locations on November 14, 2025, covering stations across California, New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Illinois. Unlike traditional time-of-day pricing, this new model adjusts rates in real time based on actual station utilization and congestion. Prices increase when stations are at capacity and decrease when chargers sit empty, encouraging drivers to use less busy locations when possible. The price you pay is locked in the moment you plug in, ensuring no charging session sees its rate change once started. Source: Not a Tesla App.

Tesla's Director of Charging, Max de Zegher, noted that pilot programs of this dynamic pricing approach reduced congestion while increasing overall utilization, with improved load balancing especially evident when multiple Supercharger sites are nearby. The company emphasizes this is a load-balancing tool rather than a price increase, with average pricing remaining unchanged overall. The system draws on data from vehicles actively charging, vehicles navigating to the station, and historical visit patterns to forecast demand.

This pricing innovation has implications for commercial property owners considering whether to install public charging stations. Dynamic pricing helps optimize charger utilization and revenue while reducing the frustration of drivers arriving at fully occupied stations. For property owners exploring EV charging as an amenity or revenue stream, understanding how major networks manage demand provides valuable context. Shaffer Construction advises clients on charger selection and network options that align with their business objectives, whether that means maximizing tenant convenience or generating ancillary income.

Long Beach Adds 20 EV Charging Ports as Los Angeles County Pursues 15,000 Charger Goal

PowerFlex recently installed 20 Level 2 electric vehicle charging ports at the Los Angeles County Development Authority Carmelitos community in Long Beach, with 10 ports available for public use and 10 dedicated to county fleet operations. While 20 ports may seem modest, this installation represents part of Los Angeles County's ambitious goal to install 15,000 EV chargers on county properties by 2035. The collaboration between PowerFlex, the LA County Internal Services Department, and the Los Angeles County Development Authority demonstrates the public sector's commitment to expanding charging access. Source: CleanTechnica.

The installation at a public housing community highlights an important equity dimension of EV infrastructure expansion. Residents of affordable housing often lack access to home charging options, and deploying chargers at these locations helps ensure the benefits of electric transportation reach all communities. Los Angeles County's 15,000 charger target signals substantial demand for qualified electrical contractors who can execute these projects to code and on schedule.

For property owners interested in supporting their community's EV transition, this news demonstrates that both public and private entities are investing heavily in charging infrastructure. Understanding whether your property qualifies for utility incentive programs or federal funding can significantly reduce installation costs. As we covered in our October EV charging milestone analysis, multiple funding sources remain available for qualifying installations. Shaffer Construction helps clients navigate these programs while delivering professional installations that pass inspection on the first attempt.

What These Developments Mean for Los Angeles Property Owners

This week's news reinforces several important themes for property owners considering EV infrastructure investments. Tesla's massive solar-powered station demonstrates that charging infrastructure can be designed for sustainability and scale, while the LADOT curbside expansion shows that innovative solutions exist for properties without traditional parking configurations. Volkswagen's Supercharger access illustrates the industry's successful convergence around the NACS connector standard, simplifying equipment decisions for property owners.

California continues to lead the nation in EV adoption, with a record 29.1% of new cars sold in the third quarter being electric. The state now has more EV chargers than gasoline nozzles, and this ratio will only grow as automakers phase out combustion vehicles. Properties without charging capabilities increasingly find themselves at a competitive disadvantage, whether competing for tenants, customers, or buyers. Many homeowners also find that panel upgrades may be necessary to support EV charging alongside other electrical demands.

The combination of private investment, public funding, and technological innovation makes this an opportune time to invest in EV charging infrastructure. Whether you own a single-family home, manage a multifamily property, or operate a commercial facility, professional installation ensures your investment performs reliably and complies with all applicable codes. Shaffer Construction brings decades of electrical expertise to every project, from initial load analysis through final commissioning.

Conclusion

From Tesla's record-breaking 164-stall solar-powered Supercharger in Lost Hills to Los Angeles's innovative curbside charging expansion, this week's news demonstrates the accelerating pace of EV infrastructure development throughout California. Volkswagen's long-awaited Supercharger access brings millions more EV drivers into the interoperable charging network, while Tesla's dynamic pricing expansion shows how technology can optimize charger utilization. These developments collectively make the case for property owners to act now on EV charging infrastructure while incentive programs remain available and before contractor availability becomes constrained.

Ready to explore EV charging options for your Los Angeles property? Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. for a complimentary site assessment and expert guidance on the right charging solution for your needs.

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