Tesla Motors Takes Aim At Hotel Chains For Commercial Charging Stations |
8 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Energy, Tech Innovations, Travel | May 30, 2007 | |
The electric car renaissance is barely spreading ink on the canvas and already plans are in motion to have a viable charging infrastructure in place. Earlier this week, Tesla Motors — the crew behind the highly anticipated 2008 Tesla Roadster — received a grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a 16KW station that could be installed at hotel chains across the state. While the stations would be commercially based, we have no idea if they might also be autonomous through solar power; much like the stations Vectrix is planning on introducing in Europe.
Tesla also recently announced plans to form a new division that will sell batteries to other car manufacturers. From the article,
“The electric-car startup said it will initially provide advanced lithium-ion battery packs from the new Tesla Energy Group to Think, a Norwegian maker of electric cars. The deal is expected to bring Tesla $43 million over the next two years. The new division will also develop and make battery packs for Tesla’s two-seat roadster that is set to go into production this fall, and for a four-door sedan set to debut later this decade.”
Carving a niche in the lithium-ion industry is focus number one for auto manufacturers as the technology is widely considered the logical replacement for nickel-metal hydride batteries. Lithium cells are lighter, take up less space and store more energy. They also make a mean French Toast.
For more info on Tesla’s plans, click here to see what everyone else is saying. I’m still trying to figure out a way to get Groovy to help me out with the $92,000 down payment for the new roadster….
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kent beuchert said,
Aside from the fact that Tesla’s batteries are so primitive that they require 4 hours to recharge, doesn’t this article writer se the silliness of expecting people to travel just 200 miles to their next night’s destination? That would require over two weeks just to cross the country. The Pony Express was faster than that. And they used 1 Horsepower ponies. There is also the issue of Tesla installing non-standardized plugs – plugs that only fit their cars. Has any thought at all gone into this nonsense? Apparently not much.
kent beuchert said,
I just love watching the environmentalists fracture logic and reality. On page 1 is an article about the excessive emissions required to produce electricity, and on page two is an article extolling the supposed green virtues of a vehicle run by, guess what? That’s right kiddies, that same dirty old electricity, which has now miraculously turned clean. This just keeps getting better all the time! Next up : Why what we told you about ethanol we will now untell you. Got that?
michael said,
Hi Kent, thanks for you comments.
I’m not sure about you, but the last thing I think when buying a car is “Can this get me across the country?” You have to understand that a large majority of the population drives their vehicles 50 miles or less per day. An electric car would be more than adequate to handle this requirement.
With regards to electricity, the last time I checked, it was one of the few energy options that actually allows you to procure it from various clean renewable sources.
Why are you so worried about innovation or companies taking a shot at creating alternative vehicles? None of these are the silver bullet to solving our environmental issues, but they’re a step in the right direction to energy independence and sustainability.
Thanks again for your comments.
todd said,
First off, the gasoline powered automobile has had one hundred years to develop, and this technology in its developmental infancy is trying to keep up with not only Priuses and Insights,but give you the torque of a Ferrari
Enzo ( or at least very close to it).
Moreover, the petro consortium has tried devilishly to purchase all green energy patents, which would enable the
Tesla to have superior performance. I am sure that played a
part in the development stunt of the Tesla.If what I am saying is true, it would mirror the tactics performed
by the Exxon/GM with the Ovshinsky battery in the movie
Who Killed the Electric Car.
Bottom line Kent, jees give this a chance to succeed before crapping all over it. If this was 1901 , would you be complaining sooo much about the internal combustion engine? Kent Beuchert=API agent.
Tim said,
Say Kent you really must have a love affair for a vehicle that after at least 100 years of development has reached its great goal of a little over 20% efficiency. Not to mention the needed support like glycol, water, electricity, computers, oil, air, gasoline, belts, pulleys, chains, pipes, pumps, etc. etc. Inherently the electric motor is over 90% efficient and with a lot more impressive performance characteristics (like starting torque) than standard gasoline engines. You seem not to realize just how fast technology is advancing on energy density, storage, and power delivery not to mention cycle life of batteries and ultra capacitors. Give them a chance
Chris Harvey said,
Michael, Todd, and Tim. Just to let you know, Kent Beuchert is a shill for the oil and gas lobby. He gets paid to disparage any new and promising technologies that may have a negative impact on oil company profits. He has been “outed” on Tesla Motors website, and a few others. Try Googling his name for other samples of his work.
I admire the way in which you responded to him, with logic and truth. Keep up the good work. We may just wrestle control of our lives from the multinationals after all.
Joe said,
I don’t know about you “kent beuchert” but I support development into green EV’s. I own a multiple number of vehicles and on a weekly bases I drive no-more then 50 k. An EV would be perfect with less maintence, cleaner air. I’m finding lots of references to this guy on the net. Can we say big Oil plant. probably….
Gary said,
Ya Kent.
Stop pulling the wool over every ones eyes. You are only making yourself a fool.