Tesla is inviting a select group of Model S owners to participate in a battery-pack swap pilot program in Harris Ranch, Calif., starting next week.

CEO Elon Musk first teased the technology at a southern California event in June 2013, showing how Tesla can switch out a depleted Model S battery pack for a fresh one in less time than it takes to refill the gas tank of a similar sedan.

The program is "exploratory technology," and the service will at first be available through appointment only, said Tesla, according to Green Car Reports.

When it launches next week, the battery-pack swapping site will be right across the street from Tesla's supercharger site in Harris Ranch, Calif., and details and qualifications for the invited owners will be outlined in the next seven days or so.  

As is typical, Musk pitched the latest Tesla innovation on Twitter, saying, "Pack swap now operating in limited beta mode for SF to LA route. Can swap battery faster than visiting a gas station. Tesla blog out soon."

Initially, the swap will take about three minutes, but Tesla plans eventually to cut the process down to less than a minute. The electric carmaker will use the pilot program to judge whether or not resources should be invested into improving battery swap capability. 

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