Tesla Supercharger Station Submerged in Berthierville, Quebec

A Tesla Supercharger station in Berthierville, Quebec has been temporarily closed due to severe flooding, according to a report from Drive Tesla Canada on X (formerly Twitter). The charging infrastructure, along with nearby IGA and Rechargéco charging stations, is currently under approximately 3 feet of water.

Tropical Storm Debby’s Impact

The flooding is attributed to the remnants of tropical storm Debby, which brought heavy rainfall to southern Quebec over a 24-hour period. Daniel Breton, a local observer, shared images of the submerged charging stations, stating, “Never has this been seen before in Berthierville, Quebec.”

Extent of the Flooding

The Tesla Superchargers are “more than half submerged under a meter of water,” as reported by Drive Tesla Canada. The flooding has affected not only the Tesla charging infrastructure but also the nearby IGA supermarket and its associated Rechargéco charging stations.

Unprecedented Event

This flooding event is unprecedented for the area, highlighting the potential vulnerabilities of EV charging infrastructure to extreme weather events. The closure of these charging stations could potentially disrupt travel plans for electric vehicle owners in the region.

Implications for EV Infrastructure

The incident raises questions about the resilience of EV charging stations in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, ensuring the reliability and safety of charging infrastructure during adverse conditions will be crucial.

EVXL’s Take

This flooding event in Berthierville serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that climate change poses to our evolving EV infrastructure. As we’ve seen in our recent coverage of Tesla’s advancements, the company has been at the forefront of expanding charging networks. However, this incident underscores the need for climate-resilient design in future charging stations. It’s crucial that as we push for wider EV adoption, we also consider how to protect and maintain this vital infrastructure in the face of extreme weather events.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Breton (@DBretonEMC_MEC)