Tesla has filed plans to build Maricopa’s first-ever electric vehicle supercharging station right on the main strip. Superchargers are proposed for the parking lot of Fry’s Marketplace, according to documents submitted to the city Friday.

The proposed site, 20797 N. John Wayne Parkway, would include 16 high-speed charging stalls, along with the necessary electrical equipment to power them, plus lighting and garbage bins. The facility would be unmanned and operate 24 hours a day.

Tesla submitted the project narrative May 30. The site plan, prepared by Dewberry Engineers, is currently under review. “The supercharger network provides EV owners with the freedom to travel anywhere,” wrote the engineers.

If approved, the station would be the largest public charging facility in Maricopa and one of the largest in Pinal County. It would serve both local EV drivers and commuters on State Route 347, according to Dewberry.

There are more than 800 state-registered electric vehicle owners in Maricopa, an all-time high, according to the Motor Vehicle Division.

The 12-acre commercial property is owned by Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, a Kroger subsidiary. Austin, Texas-based Tesla would own and operate the station and maintain the equipment through its internal service team.

The company said demand for fast-charging options in the area is growing and that Maricopa currently lacks sufficient infrastructure to meet the needs of local residents and travelers. It also cited the need to handle peak usage during weekends and holidays.

Tesla noted, however, that the site will not be reserved for electric vehicles. “Tesla will enable all charging spaces to be used for non-EV vehicle parking,” according to the new paperwork. “There will be no parking signs installed to restrict non-EV use.”

The new site would serve a broader group of drivers than Tesla alone. Last year, the company opened its supercharger network to most major automakers, including Ford, GM, Nissan, Hyundai, Honda, Rivian, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Vehicles with compatible adapters or native ports will be able to charge at the Fry’s site.

This is Tesla’s second known proposal for a charging location in the city. In July 2023, InMaricopa reported on an earlier plan for a 12-stall station along SR 347. That project has not advanced to the city’s formal design review process.

As EV ownership has grown, charging access has lagged in Maricopa. Today, the closest fast chargers are dozens of miles away in Casa Grande and Chandler. If built, the proposed superchargers would place high-speed charging directly within the city’s main commercial corridor.

The project also comes as the region expands its renewable energy footprint. The Box Canyon Solar Project, a utility-scale solar installation east of the city, began generating power Monday for the Maricopa grid.

Tesla’s growth also remains tied to broader political and market dynamics. CEO Elon Musk and the White House held a call today to address tensions over proposed electric vehicle tax policies. The news sent Tesla’s stock up more than 6%, reflecting renewed investor optimism after a much-reported feud between those two powerful men led to a $152 million selloff, its biggest hit since going public in 2010.

The newly proposed Maricopa station would be privately funded and constructed by Tesla. It still requires final approval and permitting from the city before construction can begin.

No timeline has been announced.