Tesla Motors has an intriguing strategy in place, equipping certain Airbnb properties with charging stations as part of a new partnership.
This deal with the home-sharing startup aims to build charging stations to Airbnb properties across the country and go global afterwards, but for now Tesla will start with the California coast.
Tesla makes electric vehicles that have raised plenty of interest among consumers, but such cars do face their limitations. The Model S vehicles from Tesla, for instance, can drive between 208 and 270 miles on a single charge, but after that they'll run out of battery power and require recharging to go forward.
The new partnership with Airbnb aims to make it easier for electric vehicle owners to overcome such limitations, allowing them to travel without having to worry about the car's range and battery power. Toward this endeavor, Tesla aims to install free charging stations at 30 "high-end" Airbnb properties, looking to expand in the future.
"Airbnb and Tesla are bringing charging stations to select homes across the globe, starting with the California coast. Together, we're building a world with no limits to how far you can travel and how you get there," the two companies tout in a brief description on a dedicated website for the initiative. "From remote deserts to lush forests, we're unlocking highways, backroads, adventures and unique homes."
The website in question also features a form that allows Airbnb homeowners to check whether their home is eligible to receive the Tesla charging equipment as well. Tesla will support the cost of the charger, while the homeowner will cover the costs of the installation.
At the same time, the website also allows interested customers to see all Tesla ready homes, displaying a selection of homes across California that are already equipped with Tesla charging stations. This way, when they hit the road, electric car owners can set their itinerary to include one of those Airbnb properties to make sure they can charge their vehicle.
It remains to be seen when Tesla and Airbnb will expand this initiative to include more regions across the U.S. and the world, but the companies should offer more information as they progress with this promising project.
