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If these become as popular as they seem like they should, I foresee long lines at the supercharging stations. I'm sure that 1. Tesla have thought of it and 2.

If these become as popular as they seem like they should, I foresee long lines at the supercharging stations. I'm sure that 1. Tesla have thought of it and 2. They will milk the positive publicity from such an occurrence, but it could still be a PITA for, eg., folks who want to get home from Vegas.

felipemnoa 14y ago
I actually expect higher adoption to drive improvements in charging technology. Of the top of my head a naive way to make batteries charge faster is that that they could make the individual cells as smallest as possible therefore reducing the amount of time that individual cells need to charge[1]. The batteries would be made up of thousands of these cells that could then be charged in parallel. If they can make it so that each cell can get charged in only a couple of minutes then one of the major hurdles of electric cars will be gone. [1] I'm assuming that the smaller the cell the faster that it can be charged. Anybody knows if this is true?
danenania 14y ago
It doesn't seem like there would be much barrier to simply adding more charging outlets if needed, would there?
eric-hu 14y ago
What's to keep Tesla from partnering up with major supermarkets and malls? Tesla could offer free covered parking spaces to the building owner-operators and free (or metered) charging to the customers. The owner-operators get free 'green' PR, and could see increased business as customers have an incentive to stay in the stores longer. Tesla sees a real-estate free way to offer more charging stations, a marketing cost for their vehicles that also adds value to their product.
- veemjeem 14y ago
  Yeah, I feel like charging stations of tomorrow will be advertised in the same way "free wifi" is advertised today.
  - jlgreco 14y ago
    All we need now is supersized induction charging mats for electric cars. I have a feeling that would be very dangerous for some reason, but I'm not an EE so who knows. Certainly would be pretty inefficient though.
blrgeek 14y ago
Unlike gas stations, electric charging stations can be trivially distributed anywhere there's a parking lot. Fast-food chains, Super markets, Offices, Malls, Any parking lot!! So if they tie up with a dine-in restaurant chain to offer 10 charging spots at every highway restaurant - BOOM - you just got recharge facility with a 3min wait [30m/10] all across the country. Cost of this compared to setting up a gas station would be minimal - only capital cost of charging station - looks like one-time $15K or so per station.

felipemnoa 14y ago

I actually expect higher adoption to drive improvements in charging technology. Of the top of my head a naive way to make batteries charge faster is that that they could make the individual cells as smallest as possible therefore reducing the amount of time that individual cells need to charge[1]. The batteries would be made up of thousands of these cells that could then be charged in parallel. If they can make it so that each cell can get charged in only a couple of minutes then one of the major hurdles of electric cars will be gone. [1] I'm assuming that the smaller the cell the faster that it can be charged. Anybody knows if this is true?

danenania 14y ago

It doesn't seem like there would be much barrier to simply adding more charging outlets if needed, would there?

eric-hu 14y ago

What's to keep Tesla from partnering up with major supermarkets and malls? Tesla could offer free covered parking spaces to the building owner-operators and free (or metered) charging to the customers. The owner-operators get free 'green' PR, and could see increased business as customers have an incentive to stay in the stores longer. Tesla sees a real-estate free way to offer more charging stations, a marketing cost for their vehicles that also adds value to their product.

veemjeem 14y ago
Yeah, I feel like charging stations of tomorrow will be advertised in the same way "free wifi" is advertised today.
- jlgreco 14y ago
  All we need now is supersized induction charging mats for electric cars. I have a feeling that would be very dangerous for some reason, but I'm not an EE so who knows. Certainly would be pretty inefficient though.

blrgeek 14y ago

Unlike gas stations, electric charging stations can be trivially distributed anywhere there's a parking lot. Fast-food chains, Super markets, Offices, Malls, Any parking lot!! So if they tie up with a dine-in restaurant chain to offer 10 charging spots at every highway restaurant - BOOM - you just got recharge facility with a 3min wait [30m/10] all across the country. Cost of this compared to setting up a gas station would be minimal - only capital cost of charging station - looks like one-time $15K or so per station.