Tesla is well-known for sparking client curiosity in electrical automobiles (EVs), and now, the corporate needs to attempt its hand at creating immersive meals and leisure experiences for its clients with the primary Tesla Diner.
After years of planning, Tesla lastly unveiled its first Tesla Diner in West Hollywood, California, on July 21. This inaugural location options over 250 seats throughout two tales for company to dine, two 66-foot LED megascreens to observe films and particular options on, 80 Supercharger stalls and a slew of retro-futuristic merchandise to commemorate the expertise.
The diner feels fairly futuristic with EV-inspired, fashionable design parts and big screens, however mixes in nostalgia by filling the menu with retro diner classics like burgers, waffles and apple pie with ice cream.
In the end, the Tesla Diner is a spot the place you can’t solely cost your automobile, but additionally seize dinner, catch a film and mingle with different EV house owners. If the West Hollywood location is profitable, Elon Musk said on X that the corporate will launch extra Tesla Diners “in main cities all over the world, in addition to at Supercharger websites on long-distance routes.”
Is the Tesla Diner only a gimmick to promote extra Tesla EVs?
At first look, the Tesla Diner seems to be a large advert for Tesla, with the corporate’s lightning bolt printed on cups and containers and even stamped on the waffles. Nevertheless, it looks as if the house is designed and marketed as an ecosystem perk for present EV house owners, much like how Apple and Samsung tech house owners have unique ecosystem options like AirDrop, AirPlay, Common Clipboard and auto-switching, and App Continuity and superior well being options on Galaxy Watches, respectively.
The Tesla Diner isn’t only for Tesla house owners. All 80 of the Supercharger stalls can be found to all EVs suitable with the North American Charging Commonplace (NACS), which many automakers plan to change to within the subsequent few years, with adapters out there for older EVs. Some non-Tesla EVs can be found now with NACS ports, just like the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5, however the record of NACS-compatible automobiles seemingly gained’t be lengthy till 2026 and past.
That stated, you don’t even should personal an EV to expertise the Tesla Diner. You gained’t get to expertise quick charging powered by neat photo voltaic canopies shading the parking areas, however you’ll be able to definitely seize a burger, watch a film and stroll away with a T-shirt if you would like.
The primary Tesla Diner is a step in the fitting course, branding-wise
Some manufacturers have a a lot simpler time branching out with completely different merchandise. For instance, there are a number of kinds in which you’ll get pleasure from Reese’s and numerous collaborations between Reese’s and different manufacturers, like Oreo, Chips Ahoy!, Basic Mills and extra.
However for an EV model? What else can an EV model do moreover create merch adorned with its brand and hope that die-hard followers just like the model sufficient to buy merch? That stated, EV model Rivian outlined plans to construct a number of retreat-like charging stops in main locations, with lounges, meals shops, and even test-driving courses to assist folks move the time whereas ready for his or her automobile to cost.
Like Rivian, Tesla has well acknowledged that the meals and leisure trade pairs extraordinarily effectively with one of many solely downsides to EV charging: time. EV charging is cheaper, much less smelly and extra eco-friendly than gasoline, however there’s no denying how for much longer it takes to cost a automotive versus filling it up with gasoline, particularly after we’re speaking a few battery at 10% versus an empty tank.
If extra places are added throughout the nation, a Tesla Diner will likely be particularly engaging for these on highway journeys who must move anyplace from 45 minutes to over an hour earlier than their automobile is able to hit the highway once more. Even locals could prioritize going to a Tesla Diner over one other restaurant just because they’ll multitask and cost their automobile and dine on the identical time.
The grand opening of the primary Tesla Diner in West Hollywood seems to have been profitable, with Enterprise Insider reporting a “crowd that at occasions circled the block.” YouTuber On a regular basis Chris additionally caught these large strains on digital camera and took followers alongside to look inside and check out some meals. Hopefully, this a lot curiosity regardless of its shock opening indicators future success for these modern charging diners.
Picture by Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com
