Tesla’s Hollywood Diner Is Real, and the Future of Charging Just Got Weird (and Smart)
Tesla’s long-hyped retro diner and drive-in theater EV charging station is finally open in Hollywood. It’s a real thing. Neon lights. Two movie screens. Full kitchen. 30+ Superchargers. And yes, you can get chicken tenders while your Cybertruck charges.
This isn’t just Elon being extra. It’s a smart play. Because charging is slow, and attention spans are short.
While traditional gas stations cram in pumps, Tesla is doubling down on dwell time. They’re not just selling electrons, they’re selling the experience. And this could be the blueprint for EV infrastructure moving forward.
Why it matters:
EV charging takes 20–40 minutes. That’s a retail opportunity.
Cities want activation, not dead asphalt.
Private investors want margins beyond electricity resale.
This isn’t just good PR. It’s an ops model. We’re talking food, media, maybe even merch. Tesla’s blending a charging station with a cash-generating hangout.
Keep an eye on this if you’re:
A real estate investor eyeing EV amenities
A carshare operator needing charge + clean hubs
A city planner rethinking gas station zoning
Hollywood might be the test. But this diner-charger fusion could hit Vegas, Miami, or Austin next. Bet on it.
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You know what’s cooler than empty curb space? Making money from it. Park My Share connects underused parking with drivers and fleet owners who need it. No Hardware, no drama. If you’ve got pavement, we’ve got a plan.
EV Truck Sales Are Quietly Booming. Should You Care?
F-150 Lightnings. Rivian R1Ts. Hummer EVs. The EV truck segment is still small but growing faster than sedans.
New data from Cox shows EV pickup sales are up 200% year-over-year. And it's not just tech bros in Santa Monica. Fleets, contractors, and outdoorsy buyers are jumping in.
Why it matters:
Trucks = bigger margins = more investment
More trucks = more pressure on charging infrastructure
Carshare hosts may want to test EV trucks in adventure cities
Bonus stat: 1 in 10 new EVs sold in Q1 2025 was a truck. And with Tesla’s Cybertruck now in the wild, that number’s only going up.
EVs aren’t just for city commutes anymore. They’re hauling gear, tools, and surfboards. Keep an eye on the use case shift.
Biden’s Auto Tariffs Just Got Real. What That Means for EVs
The White House is hiking tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100%. That’s a major escalation in the economic chess match with Beijing. It’s not just about EVs—it’s about rare earths, batteries, and tech leadership U.S. automakers are cheering. Chinese brands like BYD, Nio, and XPeng? Not so much.
Why it matters:
BYD is the world’s biggest EV seller. They’ve already hinted at entering the U.S. market.
100% tariffs are basically a “do not enter” sign.
But Chinese tech may still sneak in—via parts, licensing, or factory partnerships.
This isn’t just policy—it’s protection. The U.S. wants to build EVs at home, not import them.
But here’s the twist:
Restricting cheap EVs might slow adoption
Supply chain complexity just went up
Consumers could face fewer options and higher prices
If you’re in the EV biz, watch how this shakes out. Tariffs may block cars, but they can’t stop ideas.
⚡️Quick Hits
NYC Congestion Pricing Hits the Brakes
The MTA’s plan to toll Manhattan’s core just got delayed. Lawsuits and politics strike again. But the longer the wait, the more cities watch and learn.
VinFast’s EV Factory in North Carolina Is Breaking Ground
Vietnamese EV player VinFast starts U.S. production soon. Local jobs, faster delivery, and new competition. But can they avoid the recall drama?
Used EV Prices Are Dropping Fast
According to Recurrent, used EV prices are down 30% since last year. That’s good for buyers, but tough for resale value. Hosts and fleets, do your math.
📣 Question of the week⁉️
Would you stop at a diner to charge? Or is this just Tesla being Tesla?
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