Tesla supercharge station on Hays Applebee’s menu

Crews work to complete Telsa Motors super charge station at Hays Applebee's parking lot Thursday. — Crews work to complete Tesla Motors supercharge station at Hays Applebee’s parking lot Thursday.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Hays will have the first Applebee’s in the nation offering what looks like a space-age gas station, but it actually will be providing electricity for owners of Tesla electric cars passing through Hays.

According to Rhodri McNee, vice president of JS Ventures, Wichita, which owns the Hays Applebee’s franchise, the Tesla supercharging station will be located in the restaurant’s parking lot.

McNee said it was Tesla Motors that contacted JSV about the partnership.

The Hays Applebee’s site will one of many, as Tesla plans to build charging stations on Interstate 70 from Denver to St. Louis.

“We are excited about it,” McNee said. “Tesla is a unique and progressive company and and we are excited … very happy that we are going to be the first supercharged Applebee’s in the nation. We are very proud it is in Hays, Kansas. … (It’s) a great starting point for them to build superchargers along the I-70 corridor.”

Tesla1 — The station will be the first of its kind at Applebee’s.

McNee said the superchargers allow a Tesla car owner to charge their car in around 30 minutes — for free. Telsa pays for the electricity.

Once charged, the car then can travel an estimated 250 miles before needing to be charged again.

Crews from Denver’s Mason Wiring were on-site constructing the station Thursday.

An official from Mason Wiring told Hays Post they are hoping all six stalls will be up and running by Monday.

McNee invited the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. June 13.