Vol 4 Chapter 16: Another good idea (Autumn God Koichi)

"Associated company?" Martin Eberhard was the first to ask. After he was confirmed to be accepted, he quickly entered the role.

"Yes," Feng Yiping started his own sales promotion again to the other four partners.

"When a new car that meets all our requirements is on the market, we will face another very realistic problem, which is charging."

"Charging? Can it be solved by charging facilities at home?" Mark asked, and he also wanted to brush up on his presence.

"Car owners must have the need to run long distances, for example, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, midway charging is a problem," Straw said.

This is also the problem he encountered at the beginning. The electric Porsche he modified has a cruising range of only 30 kilometers, but the competition venue is far away in Oregon. It is obviously impossible to drive over. The consignment is too expensive. .

However, this naturally does not trouble him.

He bought a rear-drive Volkswagen with a good engine for $500, sawed off the rear part with the engine and driving wheels, installed it behind the modified electric Porsche, and reset the control system to make himself Sitting in the Porsche cab, you can control the engine and rear wheels of the Volkswagen behind.

In this way, he let a section of Volkswagen drive his electric Porsche from Silicon Valley to Oregon.

Well, when Feng Yiping heard about this, he didn't admire his whimsical and ability to turn whimsical into reality at the first time, but expressed his feelings that the uncle of the American traffic police is so magnificent and so human that he actually made such a car a total of six. Four on wheels is not like on the road.

"There is no problem with gasoline-powered cars driving long distances. There are gas stations everywhere. If electric cars want to drive long-distance carefreely like gasoline-powered cars, we must build charging stations, even if only for our own users,"

"This is necessary. What do you mean is that we set up a company to operate charging stations?" Musk asked.

"I think a little more than this. I want to make charging stations a unique advantage for us,"

"The electric vehicles we develop adhere to the concept of environmental protection and energy conservation, and are aimed at those high-income groups who pay attention to environmental protection. Then I think our charging stations can also rely on this aspect and adopt new energy sources. For example, I I just went to the Stanford solar team two days ago. Can our charging station use solar energy?"

"Technically, this shouldn't be a problem," Straw came to interest.

"This is indeed a good idea," Musk was also very excited.

When he was in college, he wanted to explore space and was also worried about this problem. Petrochemical energy will be exhausted one day. Turning all fuel vehicles into electric vehicles and using solar energy to provide electricity for society is a very feasible solution.

"If our charging station also uses clean energy such as solar energy, it will further strengthen our company's environmentally friendly image."

"This, I think it's okay. The charging problem was originally one of the issues we need to focus on." The more Musk now looks at Feng Yiping, the more he feels that he is his soulmate. It's really late to see each other!

"I also hope that in the future our solar charging stations can charge all our users for free. I think such conditions should bring us more buyers,"

Even Musk opened his mouth when he heard this.

Feng Yiping enjoyed his surprise very much.

"Of course, if we buy our electric vehicles in all regions of the world, we will build such charging stations and charge all our users for free. This is obviously not a small investment. Therefore, I think it is necessary to set up separately. A solar company, letting it operate in the market will not only promote the sales of our electric cars, but it can also make blood itself."

"This is another plan of mine. If a few people don't support it, it doesn't matter. I just don't make money. I will invest in it alone, and I will do this."

"I support," Musk first stood up. "Whether it is from a social or economic sense, solar energy is worth our investment, and I believe that as long as the conversion rate of our solar panels is high, The profit is certain. I believe that our charging station will not only meet the charging needs of car owners in the future, but also sell the unused electricity back to the grid."

"Moreover, solar energy companies and electric vehicle companies can promote each other and produce an effect of one plus one greater than two."

"Feng, it seems that you have really done a lot of useful thinking on related issues. I personally admire it very much,"

"Of course, Feng, I still suggest that this part of the cost can be appropriately added to the overall cost of the car."

In fact, Feng Yiping also said generously. He established Tesla. He considered the sheep in one way or another. Objectively speaking, he would indeed have a good leading role, but the wool is on the sheep. This is an objective economic law.

"Elon, what you said is reasonable," Feng Yiping nodded. "This is just my idea. Solar charging stations and free charging. I hope these two things can be done. Other details can be gradually improved in the future."

"I also give my full support," Straw applauded.

Martin only got up a step later than him, and lags behind with Mark. "Feng, your idea is very good, and I support it unconditionally."

"I raise my hands in agreement," Mark said with a smile.

"Thank you for your support. So, in the general direction, the five of us have reached an agreement. The next step is about investment. Or, let us give you three days to prepare, how about?"

For Feng Yiping, there is no problem in deciding the amount of investment now, because he has not yet started those acquisition projects and he is now well-funded.

But the others are different.

Musk now is not Musk later.

He received a total of US$180 million in revenue from the sale of PayPal last year, which is a lot, but he founded SpaceX and invested US$100 million, and this company, also in the short term, will not create any profits for him. , But only spend money.

In addition, he currently does not have any other companies, that is, his remaining funds, plus some possible financing, should be less than 100 million US dollars.

Straw, he hasn't worked for a few years. Although he has sold some patents, his profits are limited. Feng Yiping estimates that his personal investment funds will not be too much. A few million is very impressive.

As for Martin and Mark, if you remember correctly, in the original time and space, Musk invested more than 6 million or more than 7 million US dollars in 2004, that is, next year, and became Tesla’s largest shareholder and company chairman. Their initial investment should be less than US$5 million.

And this amount of money should be the maximum amount they can invest~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Because when Musk entered Tesla, they were already unsustainable and were about to go bankrupt.

Therefore, Feng Yiping is very confident to lock his shares in this newly established company at more than 50%.

"Okay," Martin took the lead this time, but he immediately felt that it was better not to take the lead.

To be the first to take a stand on this issue seems to be showing that you are not strong enough.

Fortunately, the other three didn't think much about it. It is only natural to be cautious about this kind of investment.

"Feng, I sent you an e-mail, some of the questions I thought of and refined last night,"

"Okay, I'll look at it right away, let's go, is the restaurant that was yesterday good?"

"No, I have already notified the crew. As soon as I arrive, I will take off and lunch will be settled on the plane. The company has just been established and there are too many things. Tesla's preliminary preparations mainly depend on you. By the way , The name you gave it is great," he said with a thumbs up and smiled.

"Hehe, this is very simple, electric car, it is easy to think of this name, believe Martin, you think so,"

When Martin heard what Feng Yiping said, he thought too much again. Does Feng know that we also want to register a Tesla trademark?

“It’s not easy to think of this two years ago,” Musk felt that he had gained too much during this trip to Silicon Valley, so he has been smiling now, “After everything is settled, you and everyone are welcome. Come to Los Angeles and take a look at SpaceX."

"Definitely, I have always been interested in the technology of exploring space. Goodbye Elon and look forward to our next meeting."

I just hope that when we meet next time, you won't compete with me for control.

In fact, he is really worried about this problem now. (To be continued.)