Tesla Motors CEO, Elon Musk, has announced via Twitter that the electric car company’s supercharger network now reaches from coast-to-coast in the United States. This means that drivers of the luxury Tesla Model S sedan can now drive between Los Angeles and New York free of charge, using this new network of fast-charging stations.
In his tweet, Musk stated that approximately 80% of the population of the United States is now “covered” by the Tesla supercharger network, and that it now stretches from New York to LA.
Tesla Supercharger network now energized from New York to LA, both coast + Texas! Approx 80% of US population covered.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 26, 2014
Although only drivers of the pricey Tesla Model S, and surely the upcoming Model X, can use the proprietary charging network, no doubt Tesla is building the network in readiness for the release of its less expensive, mass market model – likely to be named the Model E. With a free charging network throughout North America, Tesla will almost certainly have the jump on other car companies when it comes to the accessibility of fast-charging.
The supercharging stations are able to charge a car in about 20 minutes, which is obviously more than filling up with a tank of gas, but not all that much more, considering that on a long road trip you would usually stop for about that long at least every couple of hundred miles or so, just to stretch and revive yourself.
As well as the supercharger network in the U.S., Tesla is starting to build one in Europe. With 14 already installed, the company is planning to extend along various main travel corridors in Belgium, France, Austria, Italy, Spain, and the UK.
Via Cleantechnica, Smartplanet
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