Tesla starts selling software range unlocks for recent Model Y RWD

Tesla has began providing an “power enhance” software program unlock to current patrons of the Mannequin Y RWD, permitting them to unlock extra battery capability – for a worth.

The Mannequin Y RWD has been via lots of changes recently. Not solely has its worth diversified fairly a bit, however Tesla has introduced 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 acknowledged that the batteries in these fashions had been really larger than marketed, and that it planned to offer software program unlocks that will 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 like these upgrades are able to go, as sure Mannequin Y homeowners have began seeing an “Vitality Enhance” improve accessible 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 inside modeling and can fluctuate relying on components like battery age and driving behaviors.”

Given that fifty miles is a fairly large chunk of further vary – some 15% or so – we will think about that the numbers may undergo from typical Tesla, uh, “optimism.” And provided that these numbers are “primarily based on inside modeling” and never EPA-cycle testing, your mileage might fluctuate.

The improve is on the market now, however solely accessible within the US.

Electrek’s Take

Tesla has had this strategy earlier than, providing automobiles at one worth stage after which later providing unlocks to improve them through software program.

Opinions are blended on this apply. On the one hand, each automaker makes sure decisions with its automobiles’ trim ranges, and will supply clients extra functionality simply, however locks these capabilities behind larger worth factors (and certainly different merchandise as properly – laptop CPU sellers do one thing comparable). And Tesla deliberately doesn’t promote automobiles primarily based on kWh capability, however quite primarily based on vary, so it’s not like they’re promoting you one thing aside from what you bought.

However alternatively, it feels scummy to know that you simply purchased an object that has been artificially hobbled by the producer, and that you want to pay them for the privilege of utilizing the total capabilities of the factor that you simply already paid them for. For instance, individuals really disliked BMW’s heated seat subscription.

With a battery there are a whole lot of different fascinating concerns too. First, which battery cells are getting used, and why the distinction? Is yet another succesful than the opposite? (Tesla has achieved 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 happened before…. more than once. Even to the purpose of charging money for hardware owners already bought.

What can be good is that if Tesla ever answered any of those questions – why automobiles are being provided completely different upgrades, what kind of batteries these automobiles have, what sort of future plans it might need on your automotive’s future before you purchase it, and so forth. We’d attain out to ask them these questions, but, uh….

And one ultimate query: whereas it is 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 received’t allow you to cost sooner on roadtrips, received’t shield your battery from degradation as a result of it’s not a bodily bigger battery, and possibly wasn’t mandatory on your day by day driving because you already purchased the automotive to start with – although it may assist individuals who completely cost at public chargers must cost rather less typically. However for lots of drivers, all it means is “quantity go up.” Does that matter?

What do you concentrate on this new Vitality Enhance improve? Tell us within the feedback. And when you’ve got been provided the improve, tell us your automotive’s spec (SR or LR) and whenever you purchased it, so we will attempt to determine the sample right here.

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