EV chargers at Stillwater library get a Tesla upgrade — and a reliability reset
New Supercharger units work with any EV sold in the U.S. — but drivers will need the Tesla app to charge
Workers installed new Tesla V4 Supercharger units Thursday in the parking lot between the Stillwater Public Library and the Prairie Arts Center, replacing electric vehicle charging equipment that had drawn years of reliability complaints from drivers.
The installation is part of a statewide network upgrade by Francis Energy, a Tulsa-based electric vehicle charging company that operates chargers at multiple Stillwater locations. The new hardware is deployed under Tesla's Supercharger for Business program, which allows third-party charging operators to white-label Tesla's V4 Supercharger technology under their own brand. Tesla claims a 99 percent uptime rate for its Supercharger network, according to the company's website.
The outgoing chargers, in place since 2019, had accumulated a string of negative reviews on PlugShare, an app EV drivers use to locate chargers and share real-time status updates. PlugShare recorded 65 driver check-ins at the site between December 2019 and this month — a figure that reflects only voluntary reports from app users, not total usage. The reviews document recurring problems across multiple years, including broken hardware, stations failing mid-session, and multiple units down simultaneously.
"3 of 4 stations are broken," Ryan, a CCS1 driver, wrote in an August 2025 review. "Typical Francis Energy experience."
PlugShare reviews for the Francis Energy charging station at the Stillwater Public Library lot span from December 2019 through April 2026, documenting repeated hardware failures, stations that would not activate, and units running at reduced capacity. PlugShare is an app EV drivers use to locate chargers and share real-time status updates. – Screenshots by Chris Peters
An April 2026 review from a driver identified as Lynyrd asked whether locals had noticed activity at the site: "Can someone local visit the site and take pictures? Is the site being upgraded to Tesla Superchargers?"
The answer, as of Thursday, is yes.
The Stillwater City Council approved a new lease agreement with Francis EVC, LLC in March 2026, amending and restating the original 2019 agreement. Under the updated deal, Francis leases approximately 300 square feet of city-owned property near the library and may install up to four charging stations with up to four ports. Once the upgraded units are operational, Francis will pay the city $75 per electrified parking stall per month — $300 per month total for all four stalls — up from $1 per year under the prior terms. The lease runs 15 years from the start of the upgrade project, with an option to extend for another five years.
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The new chargers are equipped with Tesla's Magic Dock, a built-in adapter that allows the units to serve both vehicles using the North American Charging Standard connector — now the dominant plug type for most new EVs — and those using the Combined Charging System, or CCS1, standard. According to the agreement's construction specifications, the units are rated for up to 325 kilowatt-hours per port and a charge rate of up to 800 miles per hour.
Drivers using the new chargers will need to download the Tesla app to initiate and pay for a session. Unlike the previous Francis Energy chargers, which accepted payment directly at the unit, the V4 Supercharger posts have no payment screen or on-unit interface.
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Francis Energy completed the first upgrade in its Oklahoma network in January at Crest Fresh Market in Norman, where Gov. Kevin Stitt and Norman Mayor Stephen Holman attended a ribbon cutting. The Norman station is listed in the Tesla app as "Francis Energy Supercharger" and notes the site is not owned by Tesla — the Francis Energy app, meanwhile, does not yet show the upgraded location. GoodFinch, an asset management firm focused on energy markets, is providing capital for the statewide upgrade.
Pricing at the Norman site ranges from $0.36 to $0.48 per kilowatt-hour depending on time of day, with idle fees of up to $1.00 per minute for vehicles that remain plugged in after charging is complete. By comparison, Francis Energy's existing chargers at Strickland Park in Stillwater charge a flat rate of $0.52 per kilowatt-hour. Pricing for the new Stillwater library location has not been confirmed.
Workers install four Francis Energy-branded Tesla Supercharger units in the parking lot between the Stillwater Public Library and the Prairie Arts Center on Thursday, April 30, 2026. A small excavator was on site as crews worked to connect the new charging infrastructure. – Photos by Chris Peters
"This upgrade marks an important milestone for Francis Energy as we continue to invest in best-in-class charging solutions for our customers," Seth Christ, chief strategy officer at Francis Energy, said in a statement released at the Norman opening. "By integrating Tesla hardware into our network, we are enhancing the driver experience today for all EV drivers across our network."
Francis is responsible for all utility costs, maintenance, and customer service support. The city retains responsibility for keeping the surrounding parking area clean and accessible.
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