Tesla continues to expand its network of Supercharger DC fast-charging stations in the U.S., making it easier for owners to complete longer journeys in their electric cars.

The company remains committed to offering a nationwide network of free-to-use fast-charging stations for its customers, and to expanding that network.

It has made significant progress even since January, when the total number of Supercharger plugs stood at 3,439, at 593 sites globally.

DON'T MISS: Tesla Added 50 Percent More Supercharger Sites Last Year

As of this month, Tesla now has 611 Supercharger sites, with 3,600 individual plugs.

And the company doesn't plan to stop there.

A map forecasting Supercharger installations for 2016 shows that Tesla intends to continue filling gaps in its U.S. network.

Tesla Motors Supercharger network in the U.S. - map as of March 2016

Tesla Motors Supercharger network in the U.S. - map as of March 2016

It shows much denser coverage east of the Mississippi, as well as more potential routes linking the Midwest with the West Coast.

That includes a line of Superchargers completing a southern route through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Tesla will need these additional stations to keep up with Supercharger demand.

ALSO SEE: Tesla Model 3: What We Know About Its $35,000, 200-Mile Electric Car

As the company sells more cars, the likelihood that a given Supercharger site will become overcrowded increases.

This was witnessed over the 2015 holiday season, when a Supercharger site in California saw as many as 15 cars queued up at a time.

And it's a problem that will likely only be exacerbated by the arrival of the Model 3, Tesla's 200-mile, $35,000 sedan.

Tesla Motors Supercharger network in the U.S. - projected 2016 installations

Tesla Motors Supercharger network in the U.S. - projected 2016 installations

The Model 3 will be unveiled at the end of this month, and Tesla fully expects it to be a volume seller.

A less-expensive model will be crucial to meeting the company's goal of selling 500,000 cars per year by 2020.

MORE: Tesla To Add More Model S Electric-Car Charging Sites In NYC (Aug 2015)

And it's worth noting that not every Tesla-managed charging station is a Supercharger.

The company maintains many 240-volt Level 2 AC stations, which it calls "destination chargers."

That's because they're placed at hotels, restaurants, parking garages, and other places where drivers are expected to spend long periods of time.

[hat tip: Brian Henderson]

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