Tesla Motors, the California-based electric car maker, plans to open one of its free charging stations in Mobile this week. Installing the machine is a part of what the company said was a strategic endeavor that will allow its customers to drive from station to station with minimal stops.

The newly-installed Tesla Supercharger located at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile. (Courtesy)

"Tesla is very focused on providing free long distance travel across the country," Tesla spokesperson Alexis Georgeson, said in an email. "We place Superchargers along major corridors that our customers often travel and that connect city centers."

The "Supercharger" station will allow electric car owners to drive between Houston, New Orleans, and Florida for free, she said. Currently, there are but two of the machines in Alabama; one is located in Greenville and another in Auburn.

The Tesla Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any charging technology to date, the company said. It can provide up to 120 kilowatts of power and replenishing 170 miles of range in 30 minutes.

The company's Model S, for example, has a range of 270 miles, so a full charge takes under one hour.