Today I ventured south, near the border with Massachusetts, to the new v3 supercharging station in Salem, NH. This now replaces Manchester as the southern-most Tesla charging station that is off I-93 in New Hampshire. I had an unexpected memory triggered when I arrived. The superchargers are set up in the parking lot of the Rockingham Park Mall in Salem. While this mall is still mostly populated, the supercharger is on one side of the mall, where the anchor store that used to be there (Sears) was closed down and locked up in 2018, so the parking lot has an abandoned feel. This triggered a memory because the last time I was here, I got my first Covid vaccine (March 2021), where the national guard set up shop in the old Sears department store to administer the vaccine. That was a surreal day, set in this abandoned store, creating an almost apocalyptic tone as we waited for our long-anticipated vaccine.
From the app: 250 kW, 12 superchargers, with shopping, food,
and restrooms.
Amenity wise, I think this would be a great spot for a road trip stop, even though it appears to be a bit like a ghost town right by the chargers. If you look at the Mall and then head to the left from the chargers, you’ll find an entrance to the Mall in the corner.
Head to the glassed entrance on the far-left side of this picture
When I was there, that part
of the parking lot, next to the open entrance, had more cars and activity.
From that entrance, after climbing a flight of stairs, I found myself in
the Mall food court, which is perfect for picking up a quick meal. Restrooms are also right there at the top of
the stairs. From the food court you can
wander around and shop to your heart’s content, if that is your idea of how to
soak up some time while charging. All in
all, this is a great spot for a supercharger, and as has been my experience
with most NH superchargers, it was not at all busy the afternoon I
visited. Unlike the next supercharger north
along I-93, in Manchester, this one in Salem is convenient and just off the
highway. I give it a big thumbs up!
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