Monday, September 25, 2017

Tesla wants to build 'mega supercharging' stops that sell food and coffee

Tesla wants to build 'mega supercharging' stops that sell food and coffee

tesla-supercharger-stationTwo Model S vehicles charge-up at one of Tesla's many Supercharging locations.Flickr/Robert Nordqvist
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Tesla wants to take the tedium out of the charging experience by turning its stops into convenience stores.
Tesla owners already have it pretty good when it comes to juicing up their vehicles. Customers can drive to one of the companies' many Supercharger stations and be back on the road in just 30 minutes. Most electric-car owners need to set aside at least an hour, making an overnight charge in the garage the best option.
Still, 30 minutes is a long time for anyone who is used to the convenience of a gas station. That's why the company wants to build new Superchargers near restaurants and coffee shops: to make it a little easier to bide the time.
Tesla first said it wanted to make Supercharger stations more like traditional restrooms on its second-quarter earnings call.
"We should see some immediate relief even for S and X customers on some of the key supercharge locations whilst we [experiment] with... mega supercharging location, like really big supercharging location with a bunch of amenities," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on the call, courtesy of Seeking Alpha.
"So we're going to unveil the first of those relatively soon. And I think we'll get a sense for just sort of how cool it can be to have a great place to – if you've been driving for three, four hours – stop, have great restrooms, great food, amenities, hang out and for half an hour and then be on your way," he continued.
Musk is still committed to the idea he described in early August.
Tesla CTO JB Straubel told attendees at food-tech conference FSTEC that it's trying to attach convenience stores to plug-in centers, GrubStreet reported. The company is already working with restaurants to make the vision a reality. 
Tesla would not build the amenities, but would work with hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas to turn Supercharger station into enjoyable stopping gaps.
It's unclear when we could see the first Tesla convenience store, but a nicer charging experience certainly helps the case for buying an electric car.
Get the latest Tesla stock price here.

China may make a key policy change that would be a huge win for Tesla

China may make a key policy change that would be a huge win for Tesla

Tesla Model SA Tesla Model S.Tesla
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Tesla may be about to secure a big win in China.
Chinese officials have shared a draft proposal with auto executives that show the country is preparing to relax rules that have forbidden foreign automakers from building in the country without a Chinese partner, the Wall Street Journalfirst reported.
Foreign companies would still be subject to a 25% import tariff, but they could build electric vehicles without a Chinese partner, according to the report.
The move would be a big win for automakers that have been hesitant to build in the country out of fear the partnership would compromise their intellectual property. Tesla has the incentive to protect its driver-assistance Autopilot technology that has become an integral part of the electric automaker's brand.
A Tesla spokesperson referred Business Insider to a June statement that said the automaker is interested in building a manufacturing facility near Shanghai.
"Tesla is working with the Shanghai Municipal Government to explore the possibility of establishing a manufacturing facility in the region to serve the Chinese market," the statement reads. "As we’ve said before, we expect to more clearly define our plans for production in China by the end of the year."
Tesla expects most of its production to remain in the US, but is looking to establish local factories to keep its vehicle prices affordable, the statement continued.
Chinese internet giant Tencent acquired a 5% stake in Tesla in March, highlighting a vote of confidence in Tesla's position in the world's most populous country.
China, the world's largest auto market, is an important country for Tesla. The company's sales in China more than tripled in 2016, accounting for 14% of the company's total revenue last year. China plans to eventually ban the sale of all diesel and petrol cars.
Get the latest Tesla stock price here.

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