Tesla's Odd Drive

Tesla builds cars, sells carbon credits, and operates an extensive EV charging network in the U.S., but its resume could be expanding. CEO Elon Musk hinted at building a diner and drive-in movie theater alongside a Tesla charging station in Southern California years ago, and it now appears the plan could become a reality, as Teslarati reported that the automaker got approval from local officials to proceed.

The location will house 32 charging stalls and two screens for movie clips. There will also be a diner at the location with rooftop seating, but the automaker moved its proposed location from Santa Monica to Hollywood.

If this project moves past the initial stages, and all indications are that it will, the location will add to Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network, though in a unique way that may cause more congestion and frustration than anything else.

At the same time, the company has partnered with automakers large and small to open its charging network to outside EV brands. The move will drastically improve charger availability for those brands but may lead to longer wait times at the already-crowded Tesla Supercharger locations. Even so, the ability to watch a movie and grab a milkshake while waiting for your EV to charge is a clever development, as even the fastest-charging models take several minutes to recover a meaningful amount of range.

[Image: Ed Howard via Twitter]

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Sounds like an attractive way to distract you from the 45 minute or longer wait to charge up, assuming one of the 32 stalls is available and working. And I'm sure the MuskShake will give Vincent Vega pause at the price, add that to the kilowatt bill. If I had a local commute every day, never used my car for extended trips and had the ability to install a charger at home, I might consider a cheap EV like a Bolt as my runabout. But no way am I spending 50k or more on a car with those kind of limitations.

Hollywood? Will Tesla spokesmen/spokeswomen mysteriously show up while clips from their movies are playing? Movie clips, not full length movies.

Diners serve short order food; fry it plate it, serve it. A short dining experience. Your car should be charged by the time you finish your cheeseburger and fries.

Free publicity and it makes money? Elon is shown as a genius again.

Going to be annoyed if they actually call it "Milliways".

Douglas Adams will roll over in his grave.

Last night's movie cost me $2.20. 🙂

Today's fill-up cost me 30 times that. 🙁 (And no milkshake)