Tesla Motors, the makers of the uber cool electric cars Roadster and the heavily featured Model S (at least on this site) plans to build a network of solar-powered charging stations along major American roads to expand the driving range of their vehicles.
One thing that makes people anxious with electric cars is the range of these vehicles. Unlike traditional cars, they need electricity, that’s why Tesla is addressing this range anxiety for their customers by putting solar-powered chargers in more locations, free to use for Tesla owners. Initial high-speed chargers has been installed along highways in California, Nevada and Arizona.
The chargers are able to recharge a Model S sedan at a rate of 100 kW, allowing it to travel for three additional hours of highway driving with 30 minutes of charging.
Tesla’s overall plan is to install 100 of the new high-speed chargers over the next three to four years, where each charger can charge 4 to 6 Tesla electric vehicles at a time. For Tesla owners in Europe and Asia, the company also plans to beging offering these solar chargers in the second half of 2013.
