Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Tesla Reveals Charging Station Sites In 3 US States

Posted by timothy on from the ok-just-make-texas-next dept.

locallyunscene writes "Tesla has created the first solar charging stations for its Model S and plans to offer free charging. Is free fuel enough to for the electric car to finally gain traction? 'The technology at the heart of the Supercharger was developed internally and leverages the economies of scale of existing charging technology already used by the Model S, enabling Tesla to create the Supercharger device at minimal cost. The electricity used by the Supercharger comes from a solar carport system provided by SolarCity, which results in almost zero marginal energy cost after installation. Combining these two factors, Tesla is able to provide Model S owners free long distance travel indefinitely." The "free charging" part applies at least to Model S owners, and will be available first from a network of charging stations in California, Arizona, and Nevada, to be expanded nationwide over the next 2 to 4 years; Engadget features a video of the announcement.

5 of 332 comments (clear)

  1. Had to be said by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Obligatory "People who can afford a Tesla aren't bothered by the price of gas"

    1. Re:Had to be said by h4rr4r · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That is how everything works. The first airline passengers could have easily taken a week off work to travel from NYC to London.

      I am glad rich folks are buying teslas for vanity, hopefully that will fund a car I can afford. Then hopefully my purchase will help to create a car everyone can afford.

    2. Re:Had to be said by h4rr4r · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Most people in the states do not drive that far. My daily commute is under 10 miles. I own two cars, one of them could easily be electric.

      I am sure my life is not unique and many american families would be fine with one electric car and one gas fueled vehicle.

      CNG has other problems. CNG cars exist but the range also sucks. LNG fixes the range issue, but handling LNG is not something the average moron should really be doing.

    3. Re:Had to be said by NeutronCowboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm repeating myself a bit, but.... it seems these opinions just don't die.

      It has to have acceleration,

      The Tesla S handily beats anything south of a Vette.

      at least 500 mile range on a charge

      Not a single performance sedan has that range. Heck, not even the Golf TDi has that range. Why that requirement?

      and not look like a piece of crap.

      The Teslas are all hot.

      Oh and it has to at least be in the price ball park of my gasoline powered car.

      Define ballpark. It's in the range of the luxus import sedans, which is what the Tesla is competing against. It is not in the range of a Kia Rio, which is what I suspect you're thinking of.

      --
      Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
  2. Constant Fill Up? by inhuman_4 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One thing I don't understand, and perhaps someone on here can enlighten me, is why people always assume you will fill up only when the tank is empty? It seems to me that one of the big advantages of electric is that you don't need a speciallized fueling station. You should be able to fuel up all over the place (although perhaps not quickly) provided there were enough charging stations. For example charging while:
    At home.
    Parked at work.
    Out to dinner.
    Overnight at a hotel.
    At a movie.
    Shopping at a mall.

    The tank doesn't have to be empty, and the charging doesn't have to be to fill. But consistantly charging a little bit here and there should be one of the main ways to extend range. I realize that infastructure like charging stations need to be installed and the electrical grid must be able to handle it all. But other than that, what am I missing?