Tesla has began providing an “power enhance” software program unlock to latest patrons of the Mannequin Y RWD, permitting them to unlock extra battery capability – for a worth.
The Mannequin Y RWD has been by way of a number of adjustments lately. Not solely has its worth assorted fairly a bit, however Tesla has launched after which axed a “Customary Vary” Mannequin Y with smaller battery, and lately launched a “Lengthy Vary” model alongside cancelling the SR mannequin.
When it cancelled the SR mannequin, Tesla additionally said that the batteries in these fashions had been really greater than marketed, and that it deliberate to supply software program unlocks that may add 40-60 miles of vary, relying in your battery cells, for $1,500-$2,000, as quickly because it had regulatory approval to take action.
And now it seems to be like these upgrades are able to go, as sure Mannequin Y homeowners have began seeing an “Power Increase” improve out there of their Tesla app.
Some homeowners have been provided a $1,600 improve so as to add “as much as 50 miles,” and a few a $1,000 improve for “as much as 30 miles.”
So it’s not fairly what Tesla had promised – the numbers are a smidgen decrease than the 40-60 miles for $1.5-2k that had been touted beforehand.
Every of those vary estimates comes with an asterisk connected, stating “Estimates are based mostly on inside modeling and can fluctuate relying on components like battery age and driving behaviors.”
Given that fifty miles is a pretty big chunk of extra vary – some 15% or so – we are able to think about that the numbers would possibly undergo from typical Tesla, uh, “optimism.” And on condition that these numbers are “based mostly on inside modeling” and never EPA-cycle testing, your mileage might fluctuate.
The improve is accessible now, however solely out there within the US.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla has had this strategy earlier than, providing vehicles at one worth degree after which later providing unlocks to improve them by way of software program.
Opinions are blended on this follow. On the one hand, each automaker makes sure decisions with its autos’ trim ranges, and will provide prospects extra functionality simply, however locks these capabilities behind larger worth factors (and certainly different merchandise as nicely – pc CPU sellers do one thing related). And Tesla deliberately doesn’t promote vehicles based mostly on kWh capability, however reasonably based mostly on vary, so it’s not like they’re promoting you one thing apart from what you bought.
However alternatively, it feels scummy to know that you just purchased an object that has been artificially hobbled by the producer, and that it’s essential to pay them for the privilege of utilizing the complete capabilities of the factor that you just already paid them for. For instance, folks actually disliked BMW’s heated seat subscription.
With a battery there are loads of different attention-grabbing concerns too. First, which battery cells are getting used, and why the distinction? Is yet another succesful than the opposite? (Tesla has completed this earlier than, even relationship again to the early days, with “A” and “B” battery packs on early Mannequin S) And what impact will the unlocked capability have on longevity? Was it held again for longevity functions within the first place, or simply for product differentiation?
And importantly: may Tesla replace your software program to cut back your automobile’s capabilities? If it does, will it pay you? This query isn’t even a hypothetical – it has occurred earlier than…. greater than as soon as. Even to the purpose of charging cash for {hardware} homeowners already purchased.
What can be good is that if Tesla ever answered any of those questions – why vehicles are being provided completely different upgrades, what kind of batteries these vehicles have, what sort of future plans it may need on your automobile’s future before you purchase it, and so forth. We’d attain out to ask them these questions, however, uh….
And one ultimate query: whereas this can be a good “worth per mile” so far as vary goes, do you even want that further vary? The Mannequin Y already can go far sufficient, and has entry to Superchargers. This further vary gained’t assist you to cost quicker on roadtrips, gained’t shield your battery from degradation as a result of it’s not a bodily bigger battery, and doubtless wasn’t obligatory on your each day driving because you already purchased the automobile to start with – although it may assist individuals who solely cost at public chargers should cost rather less usually. However for lots of drivers, all it means is “quantity go up.” Does that matter?
What do you consider this new Power Increase improve? Tell us within the feedback. And if in case you have been provided the improve, tell us your automobile’s spec (SR or LR) and if you purchased it, so we are able to strive to determine the sample right here.
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