Jim Fernandes wrote: > Secondly, as a marketing strategy, the company is initially installing so > called
> "Super Charging" stations along major interstate highways that take > you from Los Angeles to New York - a distance of about 2500 miles (or about > 4000 > Kms.). These fast charging stations are charged using "Solar Power" to > power themselves. Tesla's model-S takes only about 20 minutes to partially > charge it's battery, that will take your car 200 miles at a time (a full > charge can take you some 300 miles). To lure customers, the company is giving > away the charging for free. Eventually, they may slap a fee to charge the > car, > but that is immaterial at this point. Jim, Good luck on your bet. Looking forward, the day will probably come when the car that does not cost anything to refuel, will also be on the top of the list of most stolen cars. I do not want to be Juan Carlos and be subjected to high insurance premiums. A more scary thought is if the 'free' fuel supply is electronically monitored, Uncle Sam will know exactly where and when you are in the land of liberty. > Can you imagine what would happen if the company installs these solar powered > fast charging stations along all major US highways and cities? I have driven, with a camper in tow, from San Francisco to Toronto. The US is a beautiful country. There are lots and lots of distractions to take you away from your planed route. Here is one such example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45002663@N00/1565591766/in/set-72157633879352177 Given a choice of a vehicle which has fuel stations every 30 miles or one which has stations every 150 miles, my money says that people will chose the former, every time. The internal combustion engine has stuck around for so long because it is the cheapest form of mobile power. For the electric vehicle to succeed commercially, it has to cost much less than an internal combustion engine. Period. Lastly, when the electric car is perfected, I expect the Chinese to have all the research in their hands and they will be offering a much cheaper model. Once again, good luck on your bet. Mervyn1650
