Run, Run As Quick As You Can … You Can’t Catch Me, I’m A Gingerbread Tesla

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What’s this? An enormous gingerbread Tesla? A Supercharger you may eat? In a advertising grasp stroke, Tesla launched its latest charging station in Queensland, Australia, on August 2nd. It’s positioned within the carpark of the Ginger Manufacturing facility primarily based on the Sunshine Coast. Sadly, Majella and I had a previous engagement and couldn’t attend. From all reviews, it was a smashing success. Mongo drives a Tesla!

Robert Nichol from Tesla Homeowners Membership of Australia was a kind of capable of attend. He commented on Fb: “There was a relentless movement of individuals take a look at driving vehicles. The few I spoke to had been about to buy.

“I attended the Launch of the Tesla Superchargers on the Ginger Manufacturing facility which is located simply off the Bruce Freeway (East Coast of QLD, Australia). The Ginger Manufacturing facility is a singular attraction to the vacationer heavy Sunshine Coast space. It’s free to get in and browse round. Clearly, there are methods of spending cash right here that helps the vacationer aspect of the enterprise, nevertheless it’s a working manufacturing unit producing merchandise out of the ginger plant.”

Robert continued: “The nice advantage of situating the Tesla charging amenities right here is that there’s loads of household oriented individuals round throughout daytime. The chargers can be found 24 hours in a well-lighted bitumen lined carpark. Sadly, the bogs and meals amenities are solely out there throughout the points of interest working hours. There are six technology 3 superchargers which might be open to all variants of electrical autos for these which might be in want of a fast cease. For these which might be capable of reap the benefits of the vacationer attraction you should utilize the six 22kw AC vacation spot chargers for an extended cost time.

“On the day, Tesla had been available with three vehicles and 4 employees to conduct take a look at drives with locals. Of the individuals I spoke to that had been there for take a look at drives, all had been going to buy one after a constructive expertise throughout the take a look at drive. I attended as a TOCA committee member and as a two-year proprietor of a Tesla Y RWD. To sum up, I might suggest utilizing these chargers, the surrounds and bogs are clear, the meals is of a high quality and value that makes it a pleasure to take a break right here, be it a brief splash and sprint or an extended extra relaxed time.” Thanks, Robert.

Managing Director for Buderim Meals Tom Himstedt mentioned that the Ginger Manufacturing facility administration had been completely thrilled when Tesla approached them about extending their community of Superchargers in Queensland. “The Ginger Manufacturing facility is conveniently positioned lower than two kilometres off the Bruce Hwy which carries hundreds of individuals to and from Brisbane and past day-after-day,” he mentioned. “As a free admission vacationer attraction, it’s additionally the right place for drivers and their passengers to relaxation and recharge, in addition to their electrical autos.”

This can be a comparable method to what Tesla has executed simply over the border with New South Wales, the place they’ve a charging station on the macadamia nut farm at Knockrow close to Byron. Handy charging, good meals, and facilities. Beats charging at a smelly, fossil automobile infested servo. Hopefully extra vacationer points of interest will probably be approached to host a Supercharging station.

“The Supercharger Station is now open 24 hours a day to any EV drivers and is able to recharging autos in roughly 45 minutes which is conveniently the right period of time to get pleasure from a world-famous ginger scone,” Himstedt added. The Ginger Manufacturing facility is anticipating to draw an prolonged and increasing demographic. A win win.

Brenda Bailey, Tourism Supervisor, tells us: “(Tesla) recognized us as an amazing location as a result of whilst you’re charging you may simply go in, use the facilities, stretch your legs, and have a cup of espresso and a ginger scone.”

So, final Monday, we drove up and checked it out. The Ginger Manufacturing facility is a cushty one hour’s drive from our residence on the north aspect of Brisbane. There we discovered a row of 6 pristine Superchargers and 6 vacation spot chargers. This makes it one of many greatest Tesla Supercharging stations in Australia. The automobile park has been renovated and prolonged to accommodate the chargers. As we had been planning to remain for a number of hours, we plugged into the vacation spot chargers. There have been 4 different Teslas charging. The Superchargers can be found for non-Tesla charging additionally.

Whereas the automobile charged, we checked out the native craft gross sales, explored the tropical gardens, had lunch, after which browsed the well-stocked outlets. I used to be amazed at what you possibly can make out of ginger — together with gin and vodka! If we had pushed up in a petroleum automobile, the price of gas would have been greater than what we paid for lunch. A win win. The park has rides in addition to quite a few free actions. Not surprisingly, it is rather widespread with grandparents, and their little flocks of ankle biters who’re eager to journey the classic steam prepare and the Overboard boat journey. Moreton, the beloved Sugarcane prepare, has (sadly) been transformed to diesel. There are a lot of free play areas additionally out there. And a local bee present!

Tourism Park Supervisor Michelle O’Brien took trip from her busy day to reply my many questions. I commented that the park was fairly full and he or she countered with: “It is best to see it on weekends and college holidays.” Apparently, the park will get over 300,000 guests a 12 months. She spoke of the success of the launch day and the truth that she obtained her first journey in a Tesla. Wowee! She was thrilled. She was solely one in all many who took up the supply of a take a look at drive in Australia’s hottest electrical autos — the Mannequin Y and Mannequin 3. She loved the regen braking and was stunned that extra Teslas didn’t get rear-ended. Majella defined that the brake lights come on when regen is employed. Intelligent little Tesla.

Again to the launch the place Brenda Bailey gave the opening speech:

“This new Supercharging Station is not only a testomony to our dedication to sustainable power and innovation, but additionally a major step ahead in making clear, electrical transportation extra accessible for everybody. The Ginger Manufacturing facility Vacationer Park has at all times been a spot of connection — connecting individuals with nature, with one another, and now, with the way forward for transportation. By integrating this state-of-the-art Supercharging Station into our amenities, we aren’t solely enhancing the comfort for our guests, but additionally selling a greener and extra sustainable strategy to journey.

“This mission embodies the spirit of innovation and progress. It’s a image of our dedication to lowering our carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner, more healthy planet for future generations. We want to lengthen our gratitude to Tesla for his or her partnership and to everybody who has labored tirelessly to deliver this mission to fruition. That is greater than only a charging station; it’s a beacon of progress, a step in direction of a sustainable future, and a reminder of what we will obtain once we come along with a shared imaginative and prescient.

“Thanks for being right here to have fun this milestone with us. Collectively, we’re driving in direction of a brighter, extra sustainable future.”

The Ginger Manufacturing facility has grown from humble beginnings, began previous to World Battle 1 by a handful of Buderim farmers. By the top of WWII, they had been exporting ginger to the world. At current, they export to 17 nations across the globe.

The Queensland winter is sort of heat and plenty of vacationers journey from southern states to take in the solar. The Ginger Manufacturing facility will show a well-liked charging spot for these with electrical autos, taking strain off the Tesla Superchargers at Gympie 80 km north. We’re wanting ahead to many extra future visits. We have now to — the grandkids ate all of the gingerbread we purchased!