Exciting Charging Announcement Speculation

[rlawson4]

Tesla Motors' CEO Discusses Q1 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha

Elon R. Musk

All right. So, I think we’re going to have a very exciting announcement on the charging front in the July timeframe, which I alluded to earlier. And I don’t want to release details of that quite yet, but I think it’s really going to – the light bolts are going to turn on when people see that. It’s pretty awesome. And so, I think it’s really going to fall in the missing piece of a puzzle, but now, quite right time to talk about it.

 

[engle]

Tesla Motors' CEO Discusses Q1 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha

Elon R. Musk

All right. So, I think we’re going to have a very exciting announcement on the charging front in the July timeframe, which I alluded to earlier. And I don’t want to release details of that quite yet, but I think it’s really going to – the light bolts are going to turn on when people see that. It’s pretty awesome. And so, I think it’s really going to fall in the missing piece of a puzzle, but now, quite right time to talk about it.

My guesses are:

1. Map of a USA fast-charging network along the Interstate Highway System with rollout plans -- "range anxiety solved!" :biggrin: Hopefully, in partnership with other auto manufacturers to share installation cost. Or, perhaps Tesla partners with Starbucks (or similar) in key locations near said interstates to provide the parking spaces? (Just brain-storming here).
2. They figured out a way to DC charge even faster.
3. They figured out a way to charge the 40 KWh battery without degradation.
4. They will have an adapter for the new standard fast charging interface all the majors agreed on recently (leaving out the Leaf and Tesla's proprietary ones).

My hope is all 4 are true, but we'll have to wait and see. Maybe it will be a classic Jobsian-style: "Oh... One more thing..." from Elon?

Sure is a very exciting time for us Model S evangelists, reservationists, stockholders, etc. between now and August 1st! :biggrin: It's "Tesla Fever Time"!!

 

[tdelta1000]

My guesses are:

1. Map of a USA fast-charging network along the Interstate Highway System with rollout plans -- "range anxiety solved!" :biggrin: Hopefully, in partnership with other auto manufacturers to share installation cost. Or, perhaps Tesla partners with Starbucks (or similar) in key locations near said interstates to provide the parking spaces? (Just brain-storming here).
2. They figured out a way to DC charge even faster.
3. They figured out a way to charge the 40 KWh battery without degradation.
4. They will have an adapter for the new standard fast charging interface all the majors agreed on recently (leaving out the Leaf and Tesla's proprietary ones).

My hope is all 4 are true, but we'll have to wait and see. Maybe it will be a classic Jobsian-style: "Oh... One more thing..." from Elon?

Sure is a very exciting time for us Model S evangelists, reservationists, stockholders, etc. between now and August 1st! :biggrin: It's "Tesla Fever Time"!!

+1

 

[Citizen-T]

Cracker Barrel would be ideal location for charging stations. They are all along the interstates and it takes about 45 mins to eat there.

 

[VolkerP]

As others have pointed out, the problem with building a charging network is not putting dots on a map. It is to get the estate owners involved.

An awesome announcement for me would highlight a solution how to tackle that problem, like in

Tesla agreed with all AAA operated service areas along the interstate/highway network to erect Superchargers, anywhere, anytime, at our consideration. Tesla bears the cost of work and materials, as well as maintenance, AAA pays the electricity. In return for that, all Tesla Model S and X owners receive an AAA gold card membership worth $120 a year, first year free, upon delivery of their Model S.

Or something like that. :tongue:

 

[NigelM]

.....it takes about 45 mins to eat there.

And about 3 hours to recover.....

 

[ElSupreme]

And about 3 hours to recover.....

You just need to eat more free biscuits and cornbread BEFORE the meal. They soak up all the grease and give you a slow release over the next 6-8 hours!

I really hope that Tesla can partner with someone for a place to put their chargers. I just hope they aren't at gas stations.

 

[rlawson4]

You just need to eat more free biscuits and cornbread BEFORE the meal. They soak up all the grease and give you a slow release over the next 6-8 hours!

I really hope that Tesla can partner with someone for a place to put their chargers. I just hope they aren't at gas stations.

Yes the cornbread before is always important. It always takes more than 45 minutes because my wife loves the gift shop.

 

[bonnie]

Cracker Barrel would be ideal location for charging stations. They are all along the interstates and it takes about 45 mins to eat there.

No Cracker Barrels in California that I'm aware of. However, we DO have In'n'Out Burger.

 

[ckessel]

In'n'Out and Cracker Barrel...even if the car is an EV, the occupants will be full of gas.

 

[Beavis]

Cracker Barrel would be ideal location for charging stations. They are all along the interstates and it takes about 45 mins to eat there.

No, the weight gain would kill range. I think we're more the latte and arugula crowd.

 

[engle]

I think it's time for another poll. Ted M. (Model S/X product manager told me he loves to read our polls and they provide often useful info in product planning)

Where would you like the DC fast chargers to be located? (please choose one)

A. Gas Stations
B. Truck Stops
C. Highway rest stops
D . Cracker Barrel
E. Fast food restaurants (e.g. In-N-Out)
F. Starbucks
G. Park-and-ride lots
H. Public recreational facilities near major highways
I. Campgrouds
etc. etc.

Could someone create this poll with more possible choices? I don't have time to figure out how to do so at the moment.

Thanks!

Russ

 

[bonnie]

Movie theaters and book stores!

 

[Arnold Panz]

Movie theaters and book stores!

I would love this, but it's not realistic. My assumption is that they are going to put them on (or just off) existing interstates, that the intention of the network of superchargers is to ensure that someone can drive from any major city to any other major city using interstates solely by using SCs. If it's possible to use existing rest stops, those are probably perfectly spaced out for anyone with an 85 kWh battery pack. Rest stops also have the things that all SC areas should have -- relatively quick food options and public bathrooms.

If Tesla can't install SCs at existing rest stops, then their next best option is presumably to put them just off of interstate exits near existing shopping areas/restaurants where people charging their cars can still get access to a bathroom and some food. It might not sound all that exciting, but until I understood the concept of the SC, I thought I was basically stuck going no further than Orlando or Tampa in my Model S. With SCs, I could theoretically drive up the east coast on I-95 all the way to DC or NY. Of course, I'd probably still prefer to save time and fly, but having the option is fantastic.

 

[EVNow]

Apprently Starbucks isn't interested in installing chargers. They prefer high turnover over lingering customers.

BTW, Cracker Barrels (atleast in some states) is installing CHAdeMO.

I hope the news is that they have developed needed inter-connector for CHAdeMO and it works in the 40 kWh model

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Apprently Starbucks isn't interested in installing chargers. They prefer high turnover over lingering customers.

And, am sure they wouldn't want Model S owners juicing up and overloading their WiFi network at the same time!

 

[Lloyd]

shopping, places to walk, or bike, great downtown areas, good restaurants, scienic views, museums, ......................

 

[Rifleman]

Museums, Parks, Movie theaters, and any other locations that a visitor could kill some time at. Tesla should also me sure to include level 2 chargers at the charging stations so us 20 kWh folks are not left out in the cold completely.

 

[jerry33]

Museums, Parks, Movie theaters, and any other locations that a visitor could kill some time at. Tesla should also me sure to include level 2 chargers at the charging stations so us 20 kWh folks are not left out in the cold completely.

That works for me. Also in Oklahoma they could target the casinos. Not that I frequent casinos but they are about the only life-form in many areas--and they're always open and most have really large parking lots so space isn't an issue.

Where I don't want them is places like service stations.

 

[cinergi]

For SC, between destinations, not at them. Then having something to do there for 45 minutes is good - food, relax, Internet, etc.
If the destination attracts people from distances (e.g. Amusement park), you're prolly going to stay longer than 45 minutes ...
Having a hard time reasoning through having them elsewhere ... Real question is, what's the crossover in time you'd typically be at the location for choosing SC vs. level 2? If you stay for 2 hours, how much do you need SC? 4 hours? Etc.