Rise in electric vehicles causes concern about charging stations

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (KGO) -- Palo Alto-based Tesla Motors hit another sales milestone this week with preorders for its newest model. But as more consumers choose electric vehicles, some wonder if there will be enough charging stations to go around.

RELATED: Tesla has 115,000 reservations for new Model 3

In its first week, Tesla already has more than 325,000 preorders for its Model 3. In an email to reservation holders Thursday night, the company announced plans to increase production to minimize the wait.

Marcelo Dorio was at last week's launch in Hawthorne and reserved two cars for his family. "I think we're beginning to see like a movement, you know, towards electric cars and sustainable energy," he said.

In the middle of the afternoon, nearly every single space at a Tesla supercharging station in Mountain View was taken.

"It's just been kind of a fun game to play. I mean, it's changed what I think of going to a gas station, where you take two seconds to get in and out," San Jose resident Chiara Basso said.

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Owners are beaming with pride over their vehicles. "I plugged in and there must've been four Teslas behind me," San Francisco resident Michael Gerold said.

As more electric vehicles are sold, the Bay Area may have a tough time keeping up with the demand.

"The challenge will be charging stations for people traveling. That's going to be difficult," Gerold said.

Public charging stations in cities such as San Jose and Mountain View have been funded by a combination of state and federal money. How much will be available in the long run is anyone's guess.

RELATED: Tesla explains Model X production delays as Model 3 demand soars

Capitol Kia in San Jose has an electric vehicle model and said consumers shouldn't worry.

"A lot of people have a lot of a fear with charging, which there really shouldn't be because of what the range is and how fast you can charge. If you want to charge at home, it can take anywhere from six to eight hours," product specialist Matthew Cakou said.

For now, it's a small inconvenience to wait but a big opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint.

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