Musk begins delivering on Supercharger network

Tesla has delivered 21 high-speed Supercharger stations in the United States, as it promised this past spring. Actually, the company promised 18. In any case, it was a close call -- Tesla only had nine stations finished last week.

The Superchargers can charge 50 percent of the Tesla's battery in 20 minutes and 80 percent in 40 minutes. The network should allow drivers to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco with only minimal downtime. Use is free for owners of the top-of-the-line Tesla Model S, though Supercharger use will add a one-time charge of $2,000 to buyers who select a cheaper Model S. The Superchargers are not compatible with the Tesla Roadster.

As of today, there are nine Superchargers in California, two each in Washington, Texas and Illinois, one in Delaware and Oregon, and three in Connecticut.

The company promised two more stations in California, and throughout the winter Musk says Tesla plans to build a handful more up and down the East Coast and in the Great Lakes region. Musk says he's planning a family trip across the country using only electric power.

Tesla Supercharger network by this winter

Tesla Supercharger network by 2014

Tesla Supercharger network by 2015

By Jake Lingeman