Californian electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors opened on Tuesday the first part of what could become a global network of free charging stations for this type of vehicle, powered by solar energy.
Tesla has inaugurated its first six “Supercharger” stations in California (west). It plans to equip other “major traffic routes” in the United States, and to begin installing them in Europe and Asia in the second half of 2013.
In total, the network should have more than 100 stations in 2015.
Tesla says its stations will charge vehicle batteries enough in half an hour to drive for three hours at 100 kilometers per hour.
“Tesla’s network of + Superchargers + will be a game-changer for electric vehicles, making it possible to travel long distances as conveniently as with gasoline cars,” assured the manufacturer’s boss, Elon Musk.
Tesla made its name with an electric sports car, the Roadster, which sold for more than $100,000. The small manufacturer began marketing a high-end sedan, the “Model S,” in June, with prices starting at $49,900.
Tesla is, however, facing delays in its delivery plan for the latter, which have forced it to revise downwards its annual turnover forecast, according to a notice sent separately on Tuesday to the American stock market watchdog, the SEC.
The company now expects a turnover of between 400 and 440 million dollars this year, compared to 560 to 600 million previously hoped for.
“Some suppliers are late in responding to our request,” Tesla writes. It estimates that it will be able to deliver a total of 200 to 225 Model S over the entire third quarter, and 2,500 to 3,000 in the fourth quarter, which represents “four to five weeks behind” its initial delivery plan.
Tesla shares, listed on the Nasdaq Electronic Stock Exchange, closed down 9.78% to $27.66.
