Yesterday was the day. Tesla announced that in 6 months most of the above set of charging stations will be built, all within 2 years, and perhaps more. You can see these are located along the major interstate highways, less than 200 miles apart. For Tesla model S owners recharging is free, forever. Their slogan, drive free forever using the power of the sun. All charging stations will be powered (or offset) by solar or wind. The Tesla has a little over 200 mile range, so this frees their owners to drive cross country free. The charge time is 20 minutes, on a road trip when I fill up, hit the boys room and stretch it takes 10 to 15 minutes, so this is pretty minor increase. Other than these stations hotels will soon provide charging.
In one fell swoop this is set in motion. For the 30 mile range cars this is still not going to work, but battery technology and rapid recharge is leaping forward every few months. Not all cars have to be built for cross country, but there will soon be more out there with long range, and more charging stations will appear. 5 years from now, it's going to be much different.
Yea I know the Tesla S is 89,000, out of reach for most of us. They will have a 40k SUV next year, with zero (or at least low) fuel costs, that's in line with lots of SUV's out there now. If I, or you, can afford it is not important, every one sold promotes the technology and mindset forward, and drive another little pin in the fossil fuel voodoo doll.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteThe city has put most empployees in those little bitty things - like two cylinder - cars. Now, the cops all have new Dodge Chargers....
Ron
The way I understand it at this time there are 5000 recharging stations for what exists out there now. I was surprised at that number.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note four miles to the south the foundations are being built for six turbines. I'll be able to see them. There are 16 just a few miles to the east but can't see those.
5k is amazing. Thats good to hear of more clean capacity going up.
DeleteWhy not a plug-in electric and a wind generator to charge it? The initial set up would be high, but over the long run - free energy - it would pay for itself. You would still have to deal with the batteries every five or six years, but they could be recycled.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
Ol'B, as I understand it this would be a great idea. This group being put in by Tesla will buy clean energy or clean energy credits, in most cases their will be solar PV panels as a roof over the charger. I agree with hour proposal, good idea, hope it will be.
Delete