Official

Tesla expands li-ion battery deal with Panasonic, Supercharger network

Tesla Motors is on the move today, announcing an expanded deal with Panasonic for more and better lithium-ion automotive batteries as well as progress on the US Supercharger network. To go along with the Supercharger news – which is all about the West Coast – Tesla is taking a specially marked #DriveFree Model S (complete with social media campaign angle) along the route offering, yes, free drives. The opening of the West Coast Supercharger Corridor along US Highway 101 and Interstate 5 means that, according to Tesla, "more than 99 percent of Californians and 87 percent of Oregon and Washington owners are now within 200 miles of a Supercharger." In other words, go out there and have yourself a drive.

On Twitter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, the "Tesla West Coast Supercharger network now energized. Travel from Vancouver to Tijuana in styel!" (sic). He added that the "East Coast Supercharger network should be complete in a few months." We doubt complete here means no future stations will ever be built, just that there will soon be something resembling a Florida-Maine route available for Model S drivers by early 2014.

In other Tesla news, the EV automaker announced that battery supplier Panasonic will soon be shipping even more of its little cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells to Tesla. The expanded deal (not in any way surprising) means Panasonic will "supply nearly 2 billion [automotive-grade] cells over the course of four years," destined for the Model S and Model X. Panasonic cells have already moved the Teslas of the world over 130 million customer miles in Roadsters and Model S EVs since way back, the companies said.
Show full PR text
TESLA ENERGIZES WEST COAST SUPERCHARGER CORRIDOR
ENABLES FREE LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL BETWEEN SAN DIEGO AND VANCOUVER

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

PALO ALTO, Calif.-- Tesla Motors today announced the opening of the West Coast Supercharger Corridor, energizing a network of stations that enable Model S owners to travel for free between San Diego, California and Vancouver, British Columbia.

With stations along U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 5, the West Coast's key routes, cities and destinations are connected by Tesla Superchargers. Model S customers can drive between San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver for free with minimal stops. More than 99 percent of Californians and 87 percent of Oregon and Washington owners are now within 200 miles of a Supercharger.

Tesla Superchargers are substantially more powerful than any other charging technology in the world, capable of charging Model S 20x faster than most public charging stations. Superchargers deliver up to 120 kW DC (Direct Current) power directly to the Model S battery, providing half a charge in as little as 20 minutes. Superchargers are strategically placed along major highways connecting city centers. Stations are located where customers want to stop, near amenities like roadside diners, cafes and shopping centers, so owners can stop for a quick meal while their Model S charges for free.

This morning in San Diego, two Model S will embark on a 1,750 mile #DriveFree road trip to Vancouver powered only by Tesla Superchargers. The journey will take them through Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Sacramento, Mt. Shasta, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, with stops at popular destinations such as the Santa Monica pier, Monterey Bay and the world famous Pike Place Fish Market. Throughout the trip, Tesla will be hosting owner and media events and providing real time updates from the road on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
About Tesla

Tesla Motors' (NASDAQ: TSLA) goal is to accelerate the world's transition to electric mobility with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs, as well as EV powertrain components for industry partners.


Panasonic And Tesla Reach Agreement To Expand Supply Of Automotive-Grade Battery Cells

OSAKA, Japan and PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Corporation and Tesla Motors today announced that the two companies have reached an agreement in which Panasonic will expand its supply of automotive-grade lithium-ion battery cells to Tesla. With this agreement, the two companies update and expand their 2011 arrangement to now supply nearly 2 billion cells over the course of four years. The lithium-ion battery cells purchased from Panasonic will be used to power the award winning Model S as well as Model X, a performance utility vehicle that is scheduled to go into production by the end of 2014.

This agreement builds upon a multi-year collaboration between Panasonic and Tesla to develop next-generation automotive-grade battery cells and accelerate the market expansion of electric vehicles. Panasonic's cells combined with Tesla's proven EV battery expertise have already enabled more than 130 million customer miles driven in Tesla Roadsters and Model S.

"This expanded agreement with Panasonic is important to Tesla as we continue to increase the pace of production," said Tesla Co-Founder and CEO Elon Musk. "We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Panasonic, and I'm confident that this partnership will continue to be an integral part of Tesla's success for years to come."

Together, Panasonic and Tesla have developed a next-generation battery cell technology that provides the highest energy density and best performance cells in the market. Panasonic's cylindrical cell is a customized technology designed specifically for optimizing electric vehicle quality and life. These cells are integrated by Tesla into the battery pack in a way that enables an industry-leading range of approximately 265 miles for the Model S.

"We are extremely proud to be a strategic partner of Tesla," said Yoshihiko Yamada, president of the Automotive & Industrial Systems Company, an internal company of Panasonic. "Panasonic will increase its production capacity of lithium-ion battery cells to supply Tesla's growing needs as it expands its production of EVs."

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and engineering of electronic technologies and solutions for customers in residential, non-residential, mobility and personal applications. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates over 500 consolidated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.30 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2013. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company strives to create a better life and a better world for its customers. For more information about Panasonic, please visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

About Tesla

Tesla Motors' (NASDAQ: TSLA) goal is to accelerate the world's transition to electric mobility with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. California-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs, as well as EV powertrain components for partners such as Toyota and Daimler. Tesla has delivered more than 15,000 electric vehicles to customers in 31 countries.

Interested in keeping up with Tesla Motors?
For more information on Tesla Motors and its products, please visit: teslamotors.com
For more information for Tesla Motors investors, please visit: ir.teslamotors.com
For the latest information from Tesla Motors, including press releases and the Tesla blog, please visit: teslamotors.com/press

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the timing of Model X production, are "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, and as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Various important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including potential problems with Model X suppliers and potential delays in the design and testing of Model X, as well as the risks and uncertainties identified under the sections captioned "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations" in Tesla's Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013. Tesla disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements.

Tesla Model S Information

Share This Photo X