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If you own a Tesla Model S, live in New Jersey and are going to Montreal, one of the benefits of detouring to use a Supercharger in South Burlington, Vt., is driving over lightly traveled two-lane roads through farmland and small towns, with the state's Green Mountains in the distance. Four Model S luxury hatchbacks stopped for big gulps of free juice on Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of Healthy Living Market in South Burlington, Vt. By  VICTOR E. SASSON EDITOR MONTREAL -- The opening of a Tesla Supercharger in Plattsburgh, N.Y., this month allows Model S owners in the New Jersey-New York metro area to reach Montreal in two relatively quick stops. That's two stops without a detour into Vermont, which boasts winding roads through farmland, and Superchargers in the parking lot of a natural foods market. Our destination was Montreal's International Jazz Festival, which began today and runs through July 9. On Tuesday, we drove from northern New Jersey to a shopping center...

The new version of Model S 60 has a revised nose and grille, and a longer range than the version that was replaced in April 2015 by the Model S 70. Editor's note: I've revised the ranges of the Model S with 60kWh, 75kWh and 90kWh batteries, having relied on conflicting information from the Tesla Motors website and in an email to owners. By VICTOR E. SASSON EDITOR Tesla Motors has brought back the Model S 60 at a lower price that includes free Supercharging, which was a $2,000 option in April 2015. The base price of $66,000 is $3,900 less than the previous version. The new base model comes standard with a 60kWh battery and rear-wheel drive, and has a range of 210 miles at 65 mph, compared to 208 miles for the original. Upgrade to a 75kWh battery with a range of 249 miles for $8,000. The Model S four-door luxury hatchback also is available with all-wheel drive, as well as bigger 75 kWh and 90kWh batteries with a range of 249 miles and 294 miles, respectively. The 70kWh and 85kWh ...

How this for tortured reasoning? If New Jersey raises the gas tax about 23 cents a gallon to fund the state's transportation network, owners of the Tesla Model S, BMW i3, Nissan Leaf and other EVs would be hit for an extra $150 each year "to offset lost gas-tax revenue," according to news reports. By VICTOR E. SASSON EDITOR New Jersey officials have been sending mixed messages to owners of all-electric cars. As an incentive, the state waives the 7% sales tax on EV purchases. That's a $5,600 savings on an $80,000 Tesla Model S 60. And last year, Governor Christie signed a bill that allows Tesla to sell its revolutionary cars directly to consumers. Now, Democrats and Republicans in the state Legislature are trying to convince the governor to approve a higher gas tax to save the Transportation Trust Fund, which is expected to run out of money in about two weeks. As part of the deal, the legislative leaders have offered to phase out the state's estate tax in three yea...

I've never had to wait to charge my Tesla Model S at one of the six Superchargers in a Hamilton, N.J., shopping center, above, but what will happen when thousands of Model 3s hit the road and compete for the same charging stations?  By VICTOR E. SASSON EDITOR On the day news broke that owners of the affordable Model 3 won't be gulping free juice at Tesla Superchargers, two Model S owners were speculating about the future. Even if Tesla CEO Elon Musk doubles the number of Superchargers, as he promised at the unveiling of the Model 3, will there be room for owners of both models to charge without waiting? The Model 3, which Tesla hopes to begin delivering in late 2017, is expected to have a $35,000 base price, compared to $75,000 for the Model S 70D, an all-wheel-drive, four-door luxury hatchback. The Model S and more expensive Model X SUV now include free use of the company's extensive Supercharging network. A $2,000 option Musk said on Thursday Tesla can't afford to inc...

The International Motor Press Association's annual cruise-and-schmooze shatters the silence of Bear Mountain State Park with performance cars such as this 485-horsepower Dodge Challenger with a Hemi V-8 engine and Shaker Hood. By VICTOR E. SASSON EDITOR The first-generation Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid bombed, selling only 100,000 units in five model years. On Thursday, I drove a second-generation Volt with a longer electric range than the original, and thought this is the car to buy while you're saving up for the ultimate EV, Tesla's Model S, or the upcoming Model 3. A Volt and a 2016 Toyota Prius were the only green cars available at the Spring Break event at Bear Mountain State Park in Harriman, N.Y. Writers, publicists and other members of the International Motor Press Association got to drive about 70 new models over the winding roads of the park under the watchful eyes of police, who have been known to issue $450 speeding tickets.  One of the most disappointing cars I dr...

Radio Flyer, the company that makes the Little Red Wagon, and Tesla are offering a battery powered Model S for kids. By VICTOR E. SASSON EDITOR Tesla Motors is pinning its future on a smaller, more affordable EV -- the Model 3. Now, with hundreds of thousands of Model 3 orders in hand, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is trying to persuade the younger set to adopt their parents' EV lifestyle. Tesla is collaborating with Radio Flyer on a Model S for Kids that allows them to choose the paint color, performance and accessories, and to personalize their EVs. The Model S for Kids starts at $499, and is intended for ages 3-8 (maximum weight of 81 pounds). The kids' Model S has a top speed of 6 mph, and the lithium-ion battery can be recharged in 3 hours. (It plugs in just like the big Model S.) The Model S for Kids has a Frunk (trunk in front) like the real Model S. Working headlights. Sound system. Mini-test drive track The children of Tesla owners are invited to experience Radio Flyer's eco...

Tesla's Model S with a revised front bumper and grille on display at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey's biggest mall. My 2015 Tesla Model S with the original grille, which is reminiscent of a 1950s Ferrari. By VICTOR E. SASSON EDITOR Changes to the front of Tesla's all-electric Model S are more than cosmetic. Tesla's Web site says Model S now features full LED adaptive headlamps and a medical-grade HEPA air-filtration system. "Fourteen three-position dynamic turning lights improve visibility at night, especially on winding roads." The HEPA air-filtration system "removes [from cabin air] at least 99.97% of particulate exhaust pollution and effectively all allergens, bacteria and other contaminants." Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said 53,000 people die every year from auto emissions. "The bioweapon defense mode creates positive pressure inside the cabin to protect occupants," according to Tesla Motors. And Model S now comes stand...