Tesla tried to reinvent the gas station—it’s totally wrong about the future of charging

Tesla has opened a retro-futuristic drive-in diner in Hollywood where customers can charge their electric vehicles while watching a short film or grabbing a bite to eat. This concept is part of a trend to reinvent the gas station experience for electric car owners, who typically need to wait longer to charge their vehicles. Other companies, such as Rove and Ionna, are also building charging centers with amenities like lounges and coffee shops. However, faster charging technology is on the horizon, which could make these types of charging stations less necessary. Most electric vehicle owners already charge their cars at home, which is more convenient and cost-effective. For those who can't charge at home, shared chargers in garages and curbside chargers on streets are becoming more common. If drivers could charge their cars at work during the day, it could help store excess solar power and reduce the need for large-scale battery storage infrastructure. Retailers like Starbucks, Walmart, and fast food chains are also starting to install chargers at their locations, making it possible for drivers to charge their cars while they're already parked. Ultimately, the future of electric vehicle charging may not be about creating new charging stations, but rather about adding more chargers to the places where cars already spend most of their time parked.