Tesla Plans To Jumpstart Its China Business

U.S.-based electric vehicle designer and maker Tesla announced that the company is preparing for a roll-out of free charging stations in China.

Tesla is aiming to support the long-distance driving of its electric cars in the polluted nation.

Diarmuid O'Connell, Tesla's vice president who is responsible for enterprise and business expansion affairs, revealed to local Chinese media that the construction of those charging stations will soon begin. O'Connell said the company has communicated with various parties about this project, including property owners and electric service providers. However, he did not mention when those charging stations will be put into use.

Tesla already has a similar charging station network in America.

According to Tesla's financial report for the third quarter of 2013, the company will start sales of its Model S in China from the first quarter of 2014. In August 2013, Tesla opened a retail outlet in Beijing.

Previously, the company launched its Chinese official website in which consumers can order Tesla's products like Model S and Model X, with CNY250,000 down payments. Tesla has not yet released the full retail prices for these products in China.