Tesla Debuts Solar-Powered “Super” Charger for EVs

Tesla Motors Inc. says it will begin deploying dozens of solar-powered "Supercharger" electric-vehicle charging stations across the U.S. next year. The company vows to erect more than 100 facilities including some in Asia and Europe by 2015 at a total cost of $20 million to $30 million.

Each station can deliver nearly 100 kW of free power to a Tesla Model S EV, charging it completely in an hour or providing it with enough juice in 30 minutes to drive 150 miles, according to the company.

Tesla's design uses special cables that bypass the onboard charging system and connect directly to the car's battery. The company says the necessary hardware is standard in $77,400 Model S cars equipped with a top-of-the-line 85-kWh battery and optional for $67,400 cars fitted with a 60-kWh battery.

Tesla has provided no technical details about its Supercharger system, which it developed secretly. The company unveiled the first six stations, already deployed in central and southern California, on Tuesday. It says it will begin making those free stations available to Model S owners in a few weeks.

The carport-like stations are being supplied by San Mateo, Calif.-based SolarCity Inc. SolarCity also is Tesla's recommended installer for at-home rechargers.

Each charging facility generates its power with a solar array that covers the roof of the recharging station. Tesla predicts the stations will produce more power per year than they pump into EVs, thus providing a small but positive power transfer to the grid.