Tesla Supercharger Station coming to the North Shore this spring

Electric vehicles are gaining popularity across the nation. 

The electric vehicle (EV) market in the U.S. is projected to grow by 23% in the next five years. As EVs grow in popularity, states are identifying and prioritizing charging station infrastructure in high-traffic areas outside of metropolitan areas. 

One of the areas the Minnesota Department of Transportation has identified to increase charging stations is along the North Shore. 

While private businesses and the city of Grand Marais have added EV charging stations in recent years, there is a nearly 200-mile stretch between Duluth and Thunder Bay, Ontario, without a Tesla Supercharging Station. 

On Nov. 1, Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts announced they would bring the first Tesla Supercharging Station to Cook County. The station will feature eight Tesla superchargers and provide fast charging capabilities for Tesla drivers visiting and residing on the North Shore.

Currently, Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts has four EV charging stations that are provided for guests. Each one of the charging stations allows two vehicles to charge at the same time. However, the EV charging stations are limited in charging capabilities and can take up to eight hours to provide a full charge.

“The Tesla Superchargers are much more powerful and allow a faster battery charge. Allowing for a range of up to 250 miles within 25 to 35 minutes,” said Eric Frost, Director of Operations at Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts. “So quite a considerable difference.”

Frost said that given their location, Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts is “primed to offer this to the public.” 

Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts approached Tesla earlier this year about the possibility of adding a Tesla Supercharger Station at one of their locations. Frost said Tesla was excited about the potential opportunity.

The new Tesla Supercharger Station will be located at Surfside Resort in Tofte, MN, and will be available for the public. Frost said the addition of the new charging station would benefit Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts but also the city of Grand Marais and the larger community of Cook County. 

“We feel this is a great way to allow people to travel up to the North Shore or residents of Cook County to travel without worrying so much about where they’re going to charge,” Frost said.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Frost following the Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts media release. Audio from the interview is below. 

Kalli Hawkins November 11, 2022