Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk said the company has expanded its U.S. network of Superchargers allowing Model S owners to drive from coast to coast for the first time.

Musk made the announcement on his Twitter account: “Tesla Supercharger network now energized from New York to LA, both coast + Texas! Approx 80% of US population covered.”

Tesla currently has more than 70 stations in North America and plans to set up Superchargers in most major U.S. and Canadian cities to allow long-distance trips exclusively on electricity provided at no charge.

The stations are only compatible with the 85-kWh version of the Tesla Model S and provide 170 miles (273.6 km) of range for a 30-minute charge. Without the stations, the 85 kWh battery of the Tesla Model S has a range of up 265 miles (426 kilometers) and can take as long as 9 hours to recharge at conventional outlets.

Musk also said that two teams of Tesla drivers will try to set U.S. cross-country electric vehicle speed records using the chargers. The race will start on January 31 from Los Angeles and is expected to end in New York on February 2. Musk himself said he plans a “LA-NY family road trip over Spring Break,” using the Supercharger network.

Tesla Motors’ Superchargers are usually located near major highway interchanges on properties close to restaurants, cafés or shops so drivers can take a break while their vehicles are repowered. The cheapest Tesla Model S that can work with the Superchargers costs $73,070.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: Bloomberg