HAYS � The Applebee�s restaurant in Hays has become the first Kansas for Tesla Motor�s Model S electric cars.



Just off Interstate 70, the charger unveiled Friday in the restaurant parking lot at 4101 Vine St. allows Tesla drivers to plug in and replenish half of their battery in as little as 20 minutes.



A traveler stopping for a meal genereally will be able to get a full charge � for free � by the time they�re finished eating.



The Tesla Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any charging technology to date, according to the company, providing up to 120 kilowatts of power.



The Hays-based Supercharger will have six stalls: three for Tesla drivers only and the other three as Tesla charging stations or for extra parking for other cars.



The company works to place Superchargers strategically around the country � usually near amenities like roadside diners, cafes, and shopping centers � to allow Tesla owners to drive from station to station with minimal stops.



They�ve powered Model S vehicles for nearly 15 million miles, saving more than 600,000 gallons of gas, the company stated in a news release.