Tesla, the electric vehicle company led by Elon Musk, is planning to turn its charging stations into entertainment complexes.
Elon Musk tweeted about the plans last week, stating: “Gonna put an old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in LA.”
This followed news last September that the company was planning to create upscale convenience stores for its charging stations around the US.
JB Straubel, Chief Technology Officer at Tesla, told attendees at a food service technology conference that people spending 20 to 30 minutes charging their electric vehicle want food, coffee and to use a bathroom, showing off some designs and announcing that Tesla was already working with restaurants on the concept.
Gonna put an old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in LA
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2018
Responding to comments on his tweet, Musk also suggested that the complex could have an outdoor screen playing clips from films and that drivers could order food from the restaurant using the touch screen in their car.
The concept for the charging stations is similar to Fuel City, a fuel station complex with four locations in Texas. Amenities and attractions include a convenience store, a car wash, a taco restaurant, Little Caesars Pizza, a miniature ranch with animals, karaoke, a windmill, a large concrete dinosaur and a swimming pool.
Fuel City generates annual revenues of more than $80 million and its founder, John Benda, told Inc Magazine that Musk’s plans have big potential. He cited Tesla’s upscale clientele and suggested that the stations could be marketed at as places where drivers unwind after a long day driving.
“He could have a dog park and a food court with national brands and a club venue. Even some kind of exotic, futuristic accommodations where people could stay,” Benda told Inc. “Fun family games, like horseshoes. If he’s going all out, he could put in a lake for fishing. Catch and release.”
https://www.inc.com/leigh-buchanan/a-theme-park-vision-for-tesla.html
