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 means of plenty of adjustments lately. Not solely has its worth diverse fairly a bit, however Tesla has launched after which axed a “Commonplace 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 acknowledged that the batteries in these fashions had been truly larger 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 appears to be like like these upgrades are able to go, as sure Mannequin Y homeowners have began seeing an “Vitality 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 primarily based on inner modeling and can differ 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 will think about that the numbers would possibly endure from typical Tesla, uh, “optimism.” And provided that these numbers are “primarily based on inner modeling” and never EPA-cycle testing, your mileage could differ.
The improve is accessible now, however solely out there within the US.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla has had this method earlier than, providing automobiles at one worth stage after which later providing unlocks to improve them by way of software program.
Opinions are blended on this observe. On the one hand, each automaker makes sure selections with its autos’ trim ranges, and will supply prospects extra functionality simply, however locks these capabilities behind larger worth factors (and certainly different merchandise as properly – pc CPU sellers do one thing related). And Tesla deliberately doesn’t promote automobiles primarily based on kWh capability, however fairly primarily based on vary, so it’s not like they’re promoting you one thing aside from what you bought.
However however, 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.
With a battery there are a variety of different fascinating issues too. First, which battery cells are getting used, and why the distinction? Is yet another succesful than the opposite? (Tesla has accomplished 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 automotive’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.
What can be good is that if Tesla ever answered any of those questions – why automobiles are being provided totally different upgrades, what kind of batteries these automobiles have, what sort of future plans it may need in your automotive’s future before you purchase it, and so forth. We’d attain out to ask them these questions, however, uh….
What do you concentrate on this new Vitality Increase improve? Tell us within the feedback.
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