Tesla Motors completes West Coast supercharger route

[bananas]

Source: CBS 8 San Diego

People who own Tesla Model S electric cars can now travel from San Diego to Vancouver for free.

Tesla Motors has completed its West Coast supercharger route, which includes stations along Highway 101 and Interstate 5.

<snip>

The superchargers are located near amenities like restaurants and roadside diners, so owners can stop for a quick meal while their Model S charges for free.

Read more: http://www.cbs8.com/story/23835702/tesla-motors-completes-west-coast-supercharger-route

[bananas]

1. Can these be used free by taxis and rental cars? nt

[KeepItReal]

2. Only if your taxi or rental car is a Tesla

eom

[JohnnyRingo]

3. The "Supercharger" is an option.

I forget the details now, but they either add software to allow for a fast charge , or replace the battery altogether at a station. The option adds thousands to the car's initial cost, so the word "free" is being somewhat misused by a company for the first time in history. (lol)

Still, for buyers of the luxury electric, it offers a unique opportunity. I doubt many Tesla S models make a daily commute to work, but the future is still being written for the electric car. The Tesla S will always be an important chapter in that story.

[Zorro]

4. Actually I see them often in West LA commute traffic

It's not unusual to see one or two on the 405 or on local streets during the daily grind.

[JohnnyRingo]

5. I'm surprised you can pick them out.

I have no idea if I've ever seen one because they look like a lot of high end cars. Good eye.



I did notice the Aston Martin that zipped around me yesterday on the Cleveland outerbelt, and I would have been eying a Tesla if it had passed me, but it was Cleveland and it stood out.

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Now, I can spot them from a country mile.

Had the opportunity to drive one a few months back and fell in LOVE with it. And I am one of those women who could care less about cars - they all look (and for the most part, drive) the same to me - as long as they have power steering, I can't tell a difference.

Don't know how to describe it, but accelerating from 50 is the same as from 0 if that is any indication. It is just different.

The guy who owned the one I got to drive is full solar at his home (net-metered back into the grid), so pays nothing to keep it charged.

I can't wait for them to go down market. My car is a 2007 so I will definitely look at a Tesla in ~2016/2017 when the $30,000 models are out. Live in a city, but have a garage, so I could do it rather reasonably. Already got a quote on installing the 220 line in my garage and compared to the price of gas - it is definitely doable.

Not much help for folks without the ability to do that - like renters or city parkers tho.

[JohnnyRingo]

14. Considering the waiting list to own one...

...I'm sure every other manufacturer from Cadillac to Lexus have something on the drawing board as well. I imagine they'll mostly be luxury sedans and crossovers for a few years or so, but I bet affordable examples will be on the market within 10 or 15 years. that may seem like a long time, but in automotive design terms, it's about right.

I didn't know Tesla was working on a lesser platform. I hope they can make those in this country too.

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. They are targeting 2015 for the down-market model

But I plan to keep my car for 10 years (I am at 32,000 miles on a 2007 and don't trade often). Hopefully by 2016/7 any bugs will be worked out.

I haven't seen any prototypes, but they are going for the low 30s range. The target is the US market.

They need the high end thrill seekers/keep up with the Jones' types to finance the down market move.

I googled an article about their $30k 2015 launch: http://goelectricdrive.com/index.php/news-events/item/295-tesla-motors-third-model-line-to-launch-by-2015

[grantcart]

7. They had one at a mall in San Diego we visited.

They are gorgeous.

I put it on my birthday list.

Got a big laugh. As soon as Matel makes a miniature I might get one.

[frylock]

6. i've been noticing quite a few down here on my daily commute

[JohnnyRingo]

9. If the Tesla S is their daily driver....

I'd like to see what they reserve for a weekend outing. I guess that's why people have to buy Ferarri SuperAmericas.

I suppose that's the difference between a job and a position, but I doubt many Tesla owners are the type that have a six year payment book in the glove box. I'm not sure what you call "quite few", but you should see at least an equal number of Cadillac ATS Sedans and the $80k BMWs that the company says is their competition driving to work in your neighborhood. On the outerbelts of Cleveland and Youngstown, I see quite a few Toyotas and Malibus. (LOL)

The S model is an awesome electric, and I'm sure it's the harbringer of future auto propulsion, but it's a long way from being the people's car.

[frylock]

10. been seeing at least two/week over the last three months or so..

of course, I may be observing the same cars over that period. I was riding through an industrial complex last week and had to do a double-take as there were at least 15 or so in a parking lot, when I realized that it was a Tesla service center. I've also seen a Fisker Karma parked out in front of a boutique butcher shop here in East County San Diego. drooool.

[JohnnyRingo]

15. I didn't know you were in California

It figures you'd see more there. Besides the fact that the Golden State is always ahead of the style curve, they build them there. Since they're only making about 400 a week for the entire global market, I don't know how long before they show up this side of the Mississippi.

Here's a cool video from the factory showing how they build them from scratch using 21st century technology in Fremont CA:

[K.O. Stradivarius]

8. Tesla offers 2 battey/power options

3, if you count the 'performance' package.

The 60 kWh is good for an estimated 230 miles @ 55mph

The 85 kWh is good for an estimated 300 miles @ 55mph

The "free" supercharge deal is included with the 85 kWh package.

For the 60 kWh package, the supercharge deal can be included for an additional $2,000
at the time the order for the car is placed... $2,500 after delivery.

The battery swap-out is available for both versions, and can be done at any Tesla Service Center
at a cost of $35.00.

The benefit of that is it can be done in under 2 minutes (or, as Telsa likes to claim; quicker than filling the gas tank of your average car).

The company has plans for adding dozens more stations by 2015 so that theoretically, one could drive from coast to coast without spending a penny for electrical usage.

See map... http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger

I know it sounds ambitious, and a big gamble (financially), but more power to them if they can pull it off.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, bananas.

[True Blue Door]

12. I had a chance to buy Tesla stock right after the IPO at $25. Naturally I chose to wait.

Now it's worth six times as much.