Tesla has arrived in town

Tesla has officially arrived in New Zealand, with the delivery of the first cars at a launch event held at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront. During the event the company also announced it would be opening its first New Zealand store (Tesla doesn’t have “dealerships”, instead selling direct to the public through stores in retail areas), as well as a service centre, at 501 Karangahape Road in Auckland, with the doors due to open around the middle of this year. Accompanying the store and service centre would be a Supercharger Network, starting at Hamilton (where the first one was officially commissioned the day of the launch) with Superchargers at Turangi and Sanson planned for installation before the end of the year. Further Superchargers are planned for Auckland and the South Island in the future. Over 100 Destination Chargers are also planned for across New Zealand allowing for single or three phase charging at locations including resorts, hotels, shopping centres and public parking complexes. The Tesla Model S is the first car available for purchase in New Zealand (via www.tesla.com), with the 60 starting the range (with a 60kwh battery pack and RWD) at $116,800 and topping out with the monstrously fast $227,000 P100D (with a 100kwh battery pack and dual motor AWD). Australian marketing and communications manager Heath Walker confirmed that the Model X SUV would be launching locally before the end of the year. Tesla will also be taking orders for Tesla Powerwall 2 and Tesla Powerpack 2, the battery storage products for both residential and commercial customers. Powerwall customers will be able to order these online, where Tesla will work with Certified Installers to assist in increasing their energy independence, using more of their own solar energy and providing backup.