Tesla is planning to build a charging network in China

Tesla Motors has plans for a network of free charging stations in China, which would let owners of its electric cars travel long distances in the country, such as between major cities Beijing and Shanghai. Diarmuid O’Connell, Tesla’s vice president of corporate and business development, told WSJ at the North American International Auto Show that the company has already started work on the network in China, though he declined to elaborate further on when such charging stations would be available. 

Electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc. is looking to develop a network of no-fee charging stations in China that would allow owners of its cars to travel long distances, such as between Beijing and Shanghai. Diarmuid O’Connell, Tesla’s vice president of corporate and business development, said the company has recently started taking steps to make the network a reality. He declined to say when the stations might be available. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla is developing a similar network in the U.S., where customers of its Model S battery-powered sedan will be able to drive from coast to coast free of charge using a network of superchargers. The company also is working on a similar network in Europe.