Tesla Motors places first S.C. electric charging station in Santee

The station, which includes six charging stalls, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It represents about a $200,000 investment.

The station is Tesla’s first in the state. The next nearest one is in Savannah, Ga. The facility will serve all Tesla Model S electric sedans and all future Tesla models.

“This latest Supercharger station opening represents Tesla’s continued network expansion along the I-95 corridor and brings Model S owners one step closer to free travel between Boston and Miami,” a company press release said.

Tesla says drivers can travel for about three hours, charge for as little as 20 to 30 minutes, and get back on the road. Tesla says the Supercharger stations provide half a charge in about 20 minutes and a full charge in about 75 minutes.

The company has approximately 63 stations in the U.S. and 14 in Europe. The charge stations have powered Model S vehicles with more than 7 million miles of range, saving nearly 300,000 gallons of fuel, according to the company.

As a result of the project, the electrical infrastructure at the Santee site was improved to give it the necessary electrical capacity.

“It is a strategic location advantage for Orangeburg,” said Gregg Robinson, Orangeburg County Development Commission executive director. “This is related to the new age of automotive in this country. It is a household brand.”

Robinson credits the work and investment the county has placed into the trademarked Global Logistics Triangle brand and its success in attracting business.

“Having I-95, I-26 and U.S. 301 in our backyard allows industries … the ability to quickly reach their end destination,” Robinson said.

Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright praised the announcement and the county’s aggressive efforts to be on the forefront of the latest technologies.

“This Supercharger station shows Orangeburg County’s drive and willingness to be on the cutting edge of innovative concepts and ideas,” Wright said. “These innovative opportunities will place Orangeburg County on the forefront for future cutting-edge developments and investments.”

Kenneth Middleton, chairman of the County Development Commission, said the charge station shows Orangeburg is in an ideal location.

“Having the first Supercharger station in South Carolina and one of the first on the East Coast shows the logistical advantages that Orangeburg County has to offer,” he said. “We support automotive-related development” in the county.

“Tesla Motors is a dynamic and innovative global automotive company utilizing today’s cutting-edge technology,” Central S.C. Alliance Vice President David King said. “Our region will continue to attract companies that are dependent upon an efficient transportation network that links major metropolitan areas along the East Coast.”

California-based Tesla Motors designs and manufactures electric vehicles, as well as powertrain components for partners such as Toyota and Daimler. The company has delivered more than 19,000 electric vehicles to customers in 31 countries.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new station will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday.