17 replies to this topic

[BlueMound]

Tesla sets its sights on Texas with more Supercharger station openings

 

Second of 5 planned Superchargers to come online in Tesla's toughest state

 

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/09/tesla-sets-its-sights-on-texas-with-more-supercharger-station-openings/

 

 

[Austin55]

Awesome. I hope these stations are commonplace in some time. This is incredibly technology, and it proves that the electric car isn't boring anymore. 

[John S.]

Is it still true that Tesla cars cannot be directly sold to Texas customers in our State? There was a news spot about Tesla's method of direct company selling to customers violated some kind of State commerce law(s) and thus prevented Tesla from selling in this state. I expect electric cars to become increasingly commonplace in the years to come and ultimately roads could be constructed with embedded electrical connections that electric cars could tap into as they drive down them. Tolls would be collected for supplying this power service. Electric mass transit in the form of Interurban trolleys was around over a century ago so the transmission technology has long been around. I expect battery technology to improve in the years to come until someone will invent the ultimate battery which will power electric cars for very long distances-then electric cars will move forward to dominate the market. Its somewhat ironic the so-called "Diesel" railroad locomotives are actually hybrids-the huge diesel motors power electric generators which send electric power to electric traction motors that actually do the moving work. The huge diesel engines are not connected to the wheels-they merely make electricity by turning generators. The world of the distant future is one of electrical power-it is forever renewable, (wind, water and solar can generate electrical power long after the last drop of recoverable oil or lump of coal has been consumed)  electricity produces zero emissions, and, as the Tesla demonstrates, its no slouch power-wise. Inventor Tesla himself was working on a method of wireless power transmission but never was able to complete the project. (of course, we already have wireless electrical power transmission-it's called lightning) If a method of channeling electrical power along certain directed paths (unlike lightning with its seemingly random paths) then Tesla's idea might be feasible. Of course, there's still some debate about health hazards from long term exposures to high electrical outputs but technology continues to advance so any validated health risks could be minimized in the future with improved safety technology. Electrical power is the only type of energy I could envision still being in widespread use 500 years from now.  

[Doohickie]

Kind of related....

[mmiller2002]

I love cars and engines, but we all know there are better ways to power us around.  Electric motors have lots of torque and (i.e. "instantaneous" acceleration) are essentially maintenance free.

 

When the battery technology advances such that you can get distances out of cars for a whole day of work and errands, it will be very successful.

 

This reminds me of a question.  I saw a charging station installed a while back at the Walgreen's at Camp Bowie and Hulen.  I wonder what the target customer is for that service?  People don;t spend enough time in a Walgreens to get much of a charge.  I've seen only one car charging in all the months its been in operation.

[johnfwd]

I love cars and engines, but we all know there are better ways to power us around.  Electric motors have lots of torque and (i.e. "instantaneous" acceleration) are essentially maintenance free.

 

When the battery technology advances such that you can get distances out of cars for a whole day of work and errands, it will be very successful.

 

This reminds me of a question.  I saw a charging station installed a while back at the Walgreen's at Camp Bowie and Hulen.  I wonder what the target customer is for that service?  People don;t spend enough time in a Walgreens to get much of a charge.  I've seen only one car charging in all the months its been in operation.

The Walgreen's downtown (Henderson and Texas Street) has a charging station.  I have an office nearby and walk around the area just about every day, but have never seen a vehicle use it, yet.

[mmiller2002]

Maybe Walgreens made some money (or got green corporate brownie points) by partnering with the charging station company.

[johnfwd]

My thoughts on alternative-fuel vehicles, since we're on the subject (and I'm a consumer not an expert).  At the very beginning of the automotive industry, as we all know, a variety of fuel-type vehicles were being produced:  steam, electric, natural gas, gasoline (can anyone think of another type?).  Finally, circa 1920s, gasoline became the popular fuel of choice, because it was practical, convenient, efficient, and economical.  Now, thanks to technological advances, we're back to varieties--electric, natural gas, hydrogen--in addition to petrol.  Because of this variety, there have been half-hearted efforts with marketing and technological infrastructure.  E.g., electric charging stations no one uses because few have electric autos.  The automotive industry needs a state of equilibrium, a settling on one type fuel.  That will only come when any replacement for gasoline becomes practical, convenient, economical and efficient.  I hope its the electric battery (I'm still scared of hydrogen and natural gas).  The concept of changing out batteries is not the answer, as I see it.  Develop an inexpensive battery with a charge time of 3 minutes and a range of 400 miles and you will likely have the "fuel" of choice for the future.

[John S.]

" Finally, circa 1920s, gasoline became the popular fuel of choice, because it was practical, convenient, efficient, and economical" Perhaps that last word should be in bold type. Gasoline was incredibly cheap in the past. Under 25 cents for a gallon was the norm for decades. (I posted a few old cheap gas photos in the gas station thread pages) Then came the Arab Oil embargo in 1973, gasoline supply shortages and prices going up quicker than station attendants could change them. Methanol was touted as a petroleum substitute but the energy required to produce a gallon of ethanol is almost equal to the amount produced from that gallon. (ethanol production has long been subsidized) Obviously, if the power duration problem (or, miles per electrical charge) could be solved, the public would switch en masse to electrical powered vehicles. I personally believe the battery technology challenges will be perfected in the years to come. Alternately, some kind of through-the-road electrical supply to cars could be perfected. A meter in the car would translate into power consumption tolls and the driver would receive a monthly bill for the power they used during travel. They now have cars that can drive themselves so who knows what's next?

[Electricron]

I personally believe the battery technology challenges will be perfected in the years to come. Alternately, some kind of through-the-road electrical supply to cars could be perfected. A meter in the car would translate into power consumption tolls and the driver would receive a monthly bill for the power they used during travel. They now have cars that can drive themselves so who knows what's next?

Battery challenges are being perfected, but there will always be a limit on how far a car can go on a single charge.

Every battery charger device requires power from the grid, usually having its own transformer. The size of the transformer depends upon the size of the charger. DART places huge power units alongside its light rail lines every few miles. In pavement street chargers will require the same type of infrastructure, and there will be a limit on how many cars that can use it along a certain stretch of road. Too many cars will overload the electrical infrastructure - usually causing circuit breakers to trip!

Even if the technology for wireless recharging of batteries existed, it'll be difficult - if not impossible - and expensive to engineer a system capable of charging every car while all the cars are moving over a stretch of road. It's difficult but feasible to recharge streetcars wirelessly, but in this case the numbers of streetcars on that stretch of highway is limited.  You will not be able to limit the number of cars charging their batteries wirelessly on the road as easily. No amount of technology will ever be able to solve that.

[Austin55]

I've also heard that there's been a pretty big issue with the metals used to go in the batteries themselves, such as Lithium. Lithium is every bit of a finite source as any fossil fuel, and is not cheap to refine either. At the current rate, Tesla will use up a huge % of the worlds battery cells. 

Some more here-http://wheels.blogs....ry-supply/?_r=0

[AndyN]

 

The Walgreen's downtown (Henderson and Texas Street) has a charging station.  I have an office nearby and walk around the area just about every day, but have never seen a vehicle use it, yet.

 

 

I picked up cold medicine and lunch there on the 10th and there was a car plugged in. Ironically, the previous day I saw a car plugged in at the on in Lake Worth, which is the first time I ever saw anyone use any charging station. It was a hot day and the lady was sitting in the car with the windows rolled up. I can't imagine the car being able to sufficiently charge while the AC was in use. LOL.

[Stadtplan]

Here's a new Tesla station going in at the Lowes parking lot on I-30 and Eastchase:

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023018512

[Stadtplan]

New Tesla Sales, Service, and Distribution center coming to Fort Worth

 

Record UDC-2023-068: 

Urban Design Commission

Record Status: Pending

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Work Location

5812 N FWY

 

Project Description:

Tesla Fort Worth

Proposed new building of a Tesla Sale, Service, and Distribution center.

Tesla, Inc is proposing an Electric Vehicle service and sales center at 5812 N FWY, Fort Worth, TX 76137. The project includes a one story building and will be used as a showroom, vehicle preparation/service area, and ancillary office space. The proposed building will be approximately 53,491 SF located on a site area of 5.89 Acres. The project also proposes 407 total parking stalls, 9 disabled parking stalls and 3 access points.  Standard servicing and repair of our electric vehicles will be performed here including software updates, tire replacement, tire balancing, replacement of bolt on parts (e.g. window regulators, door handles, suspension components, bumpers) etc. Battery inspections may occur, however battery replacement will only take place on an “as needed” basis. Tire replacement will be performed on an “as needed” basis, with old tires removed and stored/ disposed daily as well. We will prepare vehicles for delivery, including wash/ detail work and charging. No battery repair (repair to damaged batteries) will take place at this address.  For our showroom, customers will be able to view displays of our energy products, complete demonstration drives, and explore our vehicles out of this location during store hours. Customers will be able to take delivery of their new car at this location by appointment only. All of our cars are built to order online with a seamless and customer first focused ordering process.

[Stadtplan]

S-T picked up the story: "Could far north Fort Worth become Tesla country? A distribution center is in the works"

BY HARRISON MANTAS

https://www.star-tel...e275662861.html

[Stadtplan]

Here's a new Tesla station going in at the Lowes parking lot on I-30 and Eastchase:
https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023018512

Saw they are quickly making progress on the Supercharger Station:

[Stadtplan]

 

New Tesla Sales, Service, and Distribution center coming to Fort Worth

 

Record UDC-2023-068: 

Urban Design Commission

Record Status: Pending

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Work Location

5812 N FWY

 

Project Description:

Tesla Fort Worth

Proposed new building of a Tesla Sale, Service, and Distribution center.

Tesla, Inc is proposing an Electric Vehicle service and sales center at 5812 N FWY, Fort Worth, TX 76137. The project includes a one story building and will be used as a showroom, vehicle preparation/service area, and ancillary office space. The proposed building will be approximately 53,491 SF located on a site area of 5.89 Acres. The project also proposes 407 total parking stalls, 9 disabled parking stalls and 3 access points.  Standard servicing and repair of our electric vehicles will be performed here including software updates, tire replacement, tire balancing, replacement of bolt on parts (e.g. window regulators, door handles, suspension components, bumpers) etc. Battery inspections may occur, however battery replacement will only take place on an “as needed” basis. Tire replacement will be performed on an “as needed” basis, with old tires removed and stored/ disposed daily as well. We will prepare vehicles for delivery, including wash/ detail work and charging. No battery repair (repair to damaged batteries) will take place at this address.  For our showroom, customers will be able to view displays of our energy products, complete demonstration drives, and explore our vehicles out of this location during store hours. Customers will be able to take delivery of their new car at this location by appointment only. All of our cars are built to order online with a seamless and customer first focused ordering process.

 

 

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2024000466

 

PROJECT

Project Name: TESLA SSD FORT WORTH

Project Number: TABS2024000466

Facility Name: TESLA SSD FORT WORTH

Location Address: 5812 N FWY

Fort Worth, TX 76131

Location County: Tarrant

Start Date: 12/1/2023

Completion Date: 10/1/2024

Estimated Cost: $9,500,000

Type of Work: New Construction

Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.

Scope of Work: SITE WORK, SHELL CONSTRUCTION (CONCRETE TILT-UP) OFFICE BUILDOUT

Square Footage: 50,535 ft 2

 

OWNER

Owner Name:

GREENLAW PARTNERS, LLC

Owner Address:

2211 MICHELSON DRIVE STE 200

IRVINE, California 92612

 

DESIGN FIRM

Design Firm Name:

GILCHRIST ARCHITECTURE CO

Design Firm Address:

3138 ROOSEVELT ST STE N

CARLSBAD, California 92008

 

Same scope filed in Flower Mound too:

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2024000467

Estimated Cost: $9,500,000

[Stadtplan]

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2024003538

 

PROJECT

Project Name: Tesla Collision Center

Project Number: TABS2024003538

Facility Name: Tesla Collision Center

Location Address: 3901 N. Sylvania Avenue

Fort Worth, TX 76137

Location County: Tarrant

Start Date: 12/1/2023

Completion Date: 5/1/2024

Estimated Cost: $2,158,508

Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration

Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.

Scope of Work: Part of existing shell building will be demised to create a 40,000 sf space that will house a collision center. We will create two new o.h. door openings in the existing exterior walls. New striping to accommodate tenant parking reqd.

Square Footage: 40,000 ft 2

 

Owner Name:

Modulus Architects Inc.

Owner Address:

8220 San Pedro Drive Suite 520

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113

 

DESIGN FIRM

Design Firm Name: Modulus Architects Inc.

Design Firm Address: 8220 San Pedro Drive Suite 520

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113