Run, Run As Quick As You Can … You Can’t Catch Me, I’m A Gingerbread Tesla – CleanTechnica – TechnoNews

Join every day information updates from CleanTechnica on e mail. Or observe us on Google Information!

What’s this? An enormous gingerbread Tesla? A Supercharger you may eat? In a advertising grasp stroke, Tesla launched its latest charging station in Queensland, Australia, on August 2nd. It’s positioned within the carpark of the Ginger Manufacturing unit primarily based on the Sunshine Coast. Sadly, Majella and I had a previous engagement and couldn’t attend. From all studies, it was a smashing success. Mongo drives a Tesla!

Robert Nichol from Tesla Homeowners Membership of Australia was a type of in a position to attend. He commented on Fb: “There was a continuing circulate of individuals take a look at driving automobiles. The few I spoke to have been about to buy.

“I attended the Launch of the Tesla Superchargers at the Ginger Factory which is situated just off the Bruce Highway (East Coast of QLD, Australia). The Ginger Factory is a unique attraction to the tourist heavy Sunshine Coast area. It is free to get in and browse around. Obviously, there are ways of spending money here that supports the tourist side of the business, however it is a working factory producing products out of the ginger plant.”

Robert continued: “The good good thing about situating the Tesla charging services right here is that there’s loads of household oriented folks round throughout daylight. The chargers can be found 24 hours in a well-lighted bitumen coated carpark. Sadly, the bathrooms and meals services are solely obtainable throughout the points of interest working hours. There are six era 3 superchargers which can be open to all variants of electrical autos for these which can be in want of a fast cease. For these which can be in a position to reap the benefits of the vacationer attraction you should use the six 22kw AC vacation spot chargers for an extended cost time.

“On the day, Tesla were on hand with three cars and four staff to conduct test drives with locals. Of the people I spoke to that were there for test drives, all were going to purchase one after a positive experience during the test drive. I attended as a TOCA committee member and as a two-year owner of a Tesla Y RWD. To sum up, I would recommend using these chargers, the surrounds and toilets are clean, the food is of a quality and price that makes it a pleasure to take a break here, be it a short splash and dash or a longer more relaxed time.” Thanks, Robert.

Managing Director for Buderim Meals Tom Himstedt mentioned that the Ginger Manufacturing unit administration have been completely thrilled when Tesla approached them about extending their community of Superchargers in Queensland. “The Ginger Factory is conveniently located less than two kilometres off the Bruce Hwy which carries thousands of people to and from Brisbane and beyond every day,” he mentioned. “As a free admission tourist attraction, it’s also the perfect place for drivers and their passengers to rest and recharge, as well as their electric vehicles.”

It is a comparable strategy to what Tesla has carried out simply over the border with New South Wales, the place they’ve a charging station on the macadamia nut farm at Knockrow close to Byron. Handy charging, good meals, and facilities. Beats charging at a smelly, fossil automobile infested servo. Hopefully extra vacationer points of interest can be approached to host a Supercharging station.

“The Supercharger Station is now open 24 hours a day to any EV drivers and is capable of recharging vehicles in approximately 45 minutes which is conveniently the perfect amount of time to enjoy a world-famous ginger scone,” Himstedt added. The Ginger Manufacturing unit is anticipating to draw an prolonged and increasing demographic. A win win.

Brenda Bailey, Tourism Supervisor, tells us: “(Tesla) identified us as a great location because while you’re charging you can just go in, use the amenities, stretch your legs, and have a cup of coffee and a ginger scone.”

So, final Monday, we drove up and checked it out. The Ginger Manufacturing unit is a cushty one hour’s drive from our residence on the north aspect of Brisbane. There we discovered a row of 6 pristine Superchargers and 6 vacation spot chargers. This makes it one of many greatest Tesla Supercharging stations in Australia. The automobile park has been renovated and prolonged to accommodate the chargers. As we have been planning to remain for a couple of hours, we plugged into the vacation spot chargers. There have been 4 different Teslas charging. The Superchargers can be found for non-Tesla charging additionally.

Whereas the automobile charged, we checked out the native craft gross sales, explored the tropical gardens, had lunch, after which browsed the well-stocked retailers. I used to be amazed at what you can make out of ginger — together with gin and vodka! If we had pushed up in a petroleum automobile, the price of gasoline would have been greater than what we paid for lunch. A win win. The park has rides in addition to quite a few free actions. Not surprisingly, it is vitally widespread with grandparents, and their little flocks of ankle biters who’re eager to trip the classic steam practice and the Overboard boat trip. Moreton, the beloved Sugarcane practice, has (sadly) been transformed to diesel. There are lots of free play areas additionally obtainable. And a local bee present!

Tourism Park Supervisor Michelle O’Brien took trip from her busy day to reply my many questions. I commented that the park was fairly full and he or she countered with: “You should see it on weekends and school holidays.” Apparently, the park will get over 300,000 guests a 12 months. She spoke of the success of the launch day and the truth that she acquired her first trip in a Tesla. Wowee! She was thrilled. She was solely considered one of many who took up the provide of a take a look at drive in Australia’s hottest electrical autos — the Mannequin Y and Mannequin 3. She loved the regen braking and was shocked that extra Teslas didn’t get rear-ended. Majella defined that the brake lights come on when regen is employed. Intelligent little Tesla.

Again to the launch the place Brenda Bailey gave the opening speech:

“This new Supercharging Station is not only a testomony to our dedication to sustainable vitality and innovation, but in addition a major step ahead in making clear, electrical transportation extra accessible for everybody. The Ginger Manufacturing unit Vacationer Park has at all times been a spot of connection — connecting folks with nature, with one another, and now, with the way forward for transportation. By integrating this state-of-the-art Supercharging Station into our services, we aren’t solely enhancing the comfort for our guests, but in addition selling a greener and extra sustainable solution to journey.

“This challenge embodies the spirit of innovation and progress. It’s a image of our dedication to decreasing our carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner, more healthy planet for future generations. We want to prolong our gratitude to Tesla for his or her partnership and to everybody who has labored tirelessly to convey this challenge to fruition. That is greater than only a charging station; it’s a beacon of progress, a step in direction of a sustainable future, and a reminder of what we will obtain once we come along with a shared imaginative and prescient.

“Thank you for being here to celebrate this milestone with us. Together, we are driving towards a brighter, more sustainable future.”

The Ginger Manufacturing unit has grown from humble beginnings, began previous to World Struggle 1 by a handful of Buderim farmers. By the tip of WWII, they have been exporting ginger to the world. At current, they export to 17 international locations across the globe.

The Queensland winter is kind of heat and lots of vacationers journey from southern states to absorb the solar. The Ginger Manufacturing unit will show a well-liked charging spot for these with electrical autos, taking stress off the Tesla Superchargers at Gympie 80 km north. We’re wanting ahead to many extra future visits. Now we have to — the grandkids ate all of the gingerbread we purchased!