Now, 50 years after they drifted out of popularity, Tesla boss Elon Musk wants to rekindle the past with plans to build a drive-in diner with a movie theatre as well as rows of EV chargers so customers can recharge their cars and their stomachs at the same time.

Mr Musk has received approval to open an all-night Tesla diner – now dubbed MuskDonalds – that would include rooftop seating, a cinema with two 13.5m LED screens and a 24/7 showing of popular movies so owners can watch and eat as 32 ‘supercharger’ EV charging posts charge their cars.

Documents seen by the Tesla ‘Teslarati’ at the Los Angeles department of Buildings and Safety show applications for a diner and drive-in movie ‘supercharger’.

Automotive News reported that Tesla has been teasing the possibility for several years, first with a tweet by Mr Musk five years ago.

The Supercharger drive-in and restaurant would replace a former pizzeria on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. The plan, submitted last November, got a green light in July, Teslarati reported last week.

Tesla showed a rendering of the retro-futuristic diner during an investor day presentation in March, on a slide titled “Can’t Forget To Do Cool S***.”

These applications were submitted by Tesla in November 2022, and after eight months, the plan was approved by the City of Los Angeles, and the permit was issued on July 18.

The project’s architect is listed as Stantec Architecture, which is based in Chandler, Arizona, and the contractor listed is PCL Construction Services Inc., which is based in Glendale, California.

On August 9, the initial grading inspection was completed and approved, so Tesla essentially has the green light to finally move forward with the project.

AN said it was planned to be built on a series of lots in Santa Monica. However, the location was moved east to Hollywood and will now be at 7001 W. Santa Monica Boulevard.

Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, Rebecca Tinucci, told AN: “We are Tesla so we also want to make sure we’re continuing to focus on providing really incredible charging experiences.”

AN said that Tesla’s Supercharger network is the most expansive of any EV car-maker in the world. 

“While charging is getting faster and the need for entertainment is becoming less necessary, there is still the want for different experiences at these charging locations,” the publication said.

“Tesla is bringing something completely new to the table, and perhaps the diner and drive-in supercharger will be the company’s coolest stop for those who need a charge.”

There was no mention of the concept being extended to other sites or markets.

By Neil Dowling