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Tesla -- >>> Tesla Superchargers Ease Range Anxiety, Even In 'Zombie Apocalypse'



By DONNA HOWELL

INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

05/30/2013



http://news.investors.com/technology/053013-658208-tesla-superchargers-to-connect-most-big-cities.htm?ven=yahoocp,yahoo



Owners of Tesla Motors (TSLA) cars within six months will be able to drive long distances between most major metro areas in the U.S. and Canada amid an accelerated expansion of the free Supercharger network, the luxury electric-vehicle manufacturer said Thursday.

"It will also be possible to travel diagonally across the country from Los Angeles to New York using only the Tesla Supercharger Network," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on a conference call with reporters.

Tesla shares rose 0.3% to 104.95 on the stock market today. The stock has more than tripled this year.

The Tesla Supercharger network consists of free roadside fast-charging stations that effectively extend how far Tesla's electric cars can travel without plugging in for recharging at home. Range anxiety has been a significant factor seen limiting sales of electric cars such as Nissan's (NSANY) Leaf. Hybrid gas-electric-plug-in alternatives, such as General Motors' (GM) Volt and Toyota's (TM) plug-in Prius, have sought to address that but haven't made a huge splash.

Tesla's all-electric Model S sedans already have a relatively long range. Tesla's base Model S can go about 208 miles per charge in normal driving conditions and its top-end Model S about 265 miles.

SolarCity (SCTY), the solar installations company whose chairman is Musk, has been supplying the solar panels. With grid storage, some solar Supercharger stations already allow use whether the sun is shining or not — and, Musk says, whether or not the nation's electric grids are actually operating.

"So even if there's some zombie apocalypse, you'll still be able to travel across the country using the Tesla Supercharger system," Musk said on the call.

Tesla plans to triple the number of Supercharger stations by the end of June, adding more in California, and four more on the East Coast, along with coverage of "the northwest region from Vancouver to Seattle to Portland, Austin to Dallas in Texas, Illinois and Colorado," the company said in its announcement.

The Supercharger network now covers California and Nevada and spans the length of the Washington, D.C.-to-Boston corridor, and has enabled about 1 million miles of driving since October 2012, Tesla says.

"We're increasing the density on well traveled routes," Musk said on the call. "On well-traveled routes, there will be a Supercharger every 80 to 90 miles."

What's the price tag on Tesla's Supercharger network expansion?

"The cost is approximately what we first estimated which is roughly $150,000 per station in capital expenses without solar and then another $150,000 or so with solar, so roughly $300,000 per station," Musk said on the call. "I think we'll probably be at the 100-station mark next year, so we're going about twice as fast as originally planned."

The company said its Supercharger stations will be getting a higher maximum charging rate of 120 kilowatts instead of 90 kw, but that's still in beta testing. "A typical case would be a two-third recharge (of the battery system) in just over 20 minutes," Musk said.

Musk plans a family road trip from L.A. to New York this year, he said, adding that it will be a good memory for the kids though there's also a risk it could end up like "some Chevy Chase movie."

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