Tesla introduces Mobile Service Rangers, the Geek Squad for EVs
Doctors may not make many house calls anymore, but Tesla Motors believes an at-home service is just the ticket for its pricey electric cars. The company recently announced a new Tesla Mobile Service Rangers program that makes getting the recommended annual service or any other repairs taken care of an effortless event. The Rangers (no word on if they wear brightly colored outfits and/or morph) have the ability to diagnose problems remotely before driving their service vehicles to where the Roadsters are. Tesla says that Roadster owners and cues from "pioneering retailers" like Zappos and Geek Squad helped develop the Rangers idea. At some point in the future, the Ranger service will be available wherever Roadsters are sold.
The service isn't cheap – it costs $1 per round-trip mile with a minimum charge of $100 – but if you can afford the car in the first place, then it shouldn't be too big of a hardship. We don't have the heart to calculate the cost for "Roadster owners in Honolulu, Anchorage, Banff and other locations", which Tesla's press release states can now have peace of mind. It might just be cheaper to buy two Roadsters in case one of them breaks.
[Source: Tesla Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark Kiernan 9:09AM (10/13/2009)
Is the van an EV? ;)
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Mark Kiernan 9:10AM (10/13/2009)
Consider that Saudi Princes fly Ferraris from their palaces to Italy to have them serviced, Tesla's service is buttons in comparison.
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Nick From Montreal 9:43AM (10/13/2009)
This is a great idea. Something that could not have occurred if Tesla had used the network of independent dealerships model. Also, they are leveraging remote self-diagnostic which is one of the main advantage of this car.
I hope they expend on this service to Model S., maybe as a paid option -- like AppleCare.
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Epyx 1:55PM (10/13/2009)
Is it not more environmentally sound to drive ones car to the routine service (with electricity) rather than have an E Series van pulling a trailer (getting 8mpg) come to the car?
Just a thought.
Throwback 10:07AM (10/13/2009)
Are there no EV trucks they can use? I guess it is more important to get to the customers than make a social statement.
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KK 10:48AM (10/13/2009)
EV trucks probably don't have enough range for this application. Seriously.
Eletruk 11:32AM (10/13/2009)
I was wondering if the Mobile Service Rangers got to drive the Tesla Roadster, but this picture answers that. I guess they get to test drive them though.
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Laurens 11:31AM (10/13/2009)
Looks more like a secret "bring the car home after it runs out of electricity" service. Will stop the neighbours from laughing...
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KK 11:48AM (10/13/2009)
So you think that trailer is for hauling a Roadster, and not filled with equipment and parts? I wondered that myself.
Jeremy 12:50PM (10/13/2009)
If that were the case, it would be easier to just tow a generator, hook the car up for 30 minutes, and let the retarded person drive themselves home. It's not that hard to avoid situations where your car dies on the side of the road. There's 10% reserve capacity in the event that you don't realize how far you were driving or whatever your excuse may be. Realistically, you know the range of the car whether you plug in at work or the car is on its own once you leave your house in the morning, and you don't drive more than that during the day... not exactly rocket science.
The GSM card in the car so technicians can run diagnostic checks remotely and, if I understand correctly, send software updates from afar IS pretty sweet!
Laurens 1:18PM (10/13/2009)
The car being Tesla's poster boy, I can imagine they want to avoid Youtube movies, with a stranded car next to a smoke bulging generator.
Also, if EV's are maintenance free, and the factory already knows what's wrong, how many parts do you need. A trailer like that, can stock a complete car, including it's chassis.
I'm sticking to my original comment...
Derek Jones 11:39AM (10/13/2009)
@ Laurens... or when they've had too much to drink! ;-)
Your comment is most valid. Trust me it's been thought of in various circles when it comes to supporting EV's.
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nrb 12:25PM (10/13/2009)
"the Geek Squad for EVs"
So they shuffle through your car, looking for personal information?
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Mark Kiernan 3:18PM (10/13/2009)
@Laurens
Who ever said they are maintenance free? Every car requires maintenance of some sort, EVs just require much less. I finally it funny that people hold on to such scary ideas as EVs parked on the side of the road with flat batteries, I pass at least 5 or 6 cars broken down on the motorway every time I take it and they are not EVs. I have expect motorways/highways to soon have recharge points at the SOS stops, problem solved.
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Carney 3:19PM (10/13/2009)
Not to be an echo, but the van really needs to be something other than plain old gasoline or petro-diesel. Flex fuel (my fave of course), hybrid, NG, something, anything.
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