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Aftermarket Parts Coming For Tesla Roadster, Mobile Charger Could be on the Way

 
1,166 views Jun 16, 2009

Obama drives by Tesla, via Edmunds

Obama drives by Tesla, via Edmunds

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The Tesla Roadster may soon have aftermarket support from an unexpected source.

Martin Eberhard, former co-founder of Tesla, has started production on what could be the first aftermarket accessory marketed directly towards Tesla Roadster owners.  His mobile charger will give Tesla owner a more flexible charging option as they take to the road.

Initially he designed the charger for himself, and perhaps a few close friends.  But he has received numerous requests to make the product available for other owners and may take the leap and begin producing the aftermarket charger. 

Eberhard believes Tesla would be better with him still on staff, but views his new venture as a possible way to remain connected to EVs.  Eberhard said, "The ecosystem for EVs is rapidly growing, a great thing for consumers, the auto industry and the environment.  It's only natural to expect a proliferation of aftermarket parts.

We will update you if Eberhard agrees to go ahead with production of the mobile charger unit.  Early stories indicate that the unit is a 240 volt charger that for now is called the Roadster Foundry Kit.

In other related news, Eberhard has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and Tesla.  Click here to read more about it.

Source:  Edmunds





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Comments (6)

  1. By Chris H. Posted: 6/16/2009 7:12pm PDT

    How can someone be a "former co-founder"?
     
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  2. By Author Posted: 6/16/2009 8:02pm PDT

    Eberhard is considered a former co-founder by the company as they give him virtually no credit for anything related to the company. His involvement was mainly monetary and they have paid dues back to him when removing him from his position. Technically you can't be a former co-founder, but Tesla views him as such.
     
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  3. By Chris H. Posted: 6/17/2009 8:49am PDT

    Eric, you need to do your own research and not just accept the disinformation that is doled out by EM and Rachel Konrad. Eberhard built that company, and the Roadster, and was unceremoniously booted out of the company just days before TM was ready to roll out the production version of the Roadster to the automotive press. Musk was the money man, not Eberhard.
     
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  4. By Chris H. Posted: 6/17/2009 8:52am PDT

    Read the Tesla Motors blogs from the beginning. You will find a far more interesting story if you dig a little deeper. Musk is now trying to take credit for all the hard work and brilliant innovation that Eberhard accomplished.
    Just the fact that the TM PR people would refer to Eberhard as a "former co-founder" should tell you something about their spin machine.
     
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  5. By vfx Posted: 6/17/2009 10:01am PDT

    former baby's mother
    former inventor of
    former originator
    former co-founder
    All are equally absurd.
    If you at all believe that Martin was not the founder then take a look at this video that was made before Elon pushed him out of the company. You can see how excited Martin is that that they were just about to go into Production:
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6124789175148491596
    Here is the slide show the audience saw:
    http://www.teslamotors.com/display_data/pressguild.swf
     
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  6. By Chris H. Posted: 6/17/2009 11:32am PDT

    vfx,
    that Motor Press Guild presentation is great. It's been over a year since I last watched it, but it certainly demonstrates that Martin was more than just an investor.
     
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