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Tesla has began providing an “vitality increase” software program unlock to current consumers of the Mannequin Y RWD, permitting them to unlock extra battery capability – for a value.
The Mannequin Y RWD has been by plenty of adjustments lately. Not solely has its value diverse fairly a bit, however Tesla has launched after which axed a “Normal 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 truly greater than marketed, and that it deliberate to supply software program unlocks that might 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 house owners have began seeing an “Power Increase” improve out there of their Tesla app.
Some house owners have been supplied 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 fairly large chunk of extra vary – some 15% or so – we will think about that the numbers would possibly undergo from typical Tesla, uh, “optimism.” And on condition that these numbers are “primarily based on inner modeling” and never EPA-cycle testing, your mileage could differ.
The improve is on the market now, however solely out there within the US.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla has had this method earlier than, providing vehicles at one value degree after which later providing unlocks to improve them through software program.
Opinions are combined on this follow. On the one hand, each automaker makes sure selections with its autos’ trim ranges, and will provide clients extra functionality simply, however locks these capabilities behind increased value factors (and certainly different merchandise as nicely – pc CPU sellers do one thing comparable). And Tesla deliberately doesn’t promote vehicles primarily based on kWh capability, however somewhat primarily based on vary, so it’s not like they’re promoting you one thing aside from what you bought.
However then again, it feels scummy to know that you just purchased an object that has been artificially hobbled by the producer, and that you might want to pay them for the privilege of utilizing the total capabilities of the factor that you just already paid them for. For instance, individuals actually disliked BMW’s heated seat subscription.
With a battery there are a number of different attention-grabbing 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 scale 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} house owners already purchased.
What can be good is that if Tesla ever answered any of those questions – why vehicles are being supplied completely different upgrades, what kind of batteries these vehicles have, what sort of future plans it might need to your automobile’s future before you purchase it, and so forth. We’d attain out to ask them these questions, however, uh….
And one last query: whereas this can be a good “value 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 quicker on roadtrips, received’t shield your battery from degradation as a result of it’s not a bodily bigger battery, and possibly wasn’t crucial to your day by 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 typically. However for lots of drivers, all it means is “quantity go up.” Does that matter?
What do you concentrate on this new Power Increase improve? Tell us within the feedback. And if in case you have been supplied the improve, tell us your automobile’s spec (SR or LR) and if you purchased it, so we will attempt to determine the sample right here.
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