July 13th, 2024

Tesla starts selling 30-50 miles of extra range if you have a recent Model Y RWD

Tesla offers an "energy boost" software unlock for Model Y RWD buyers, providing extra battery capacity for a fee. This move has sparked varied consumer opinions and concerns about longevity and transparency.

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Tesla starts selling 30-50 miles of extra range if you have a recent Model Y RWD

Tesla has introduced a software unlock option called "energy boost" for recent buyers of the Model Y RWD, allowing them to access more battery capacity for an additional cost. The upgrade promises to add up to 50 miles of range for $1,600 or up to 30 miles for $1,000. However, these figures are slightly lower than initially advertised. The availability of the upgrade is currently limited to the US. Tesla's approach of offering software upgrades to enhance vehicle capabilities has sparked mixed opinions among consumers. Some view it as a way to unlock hidden potential, while others criticize it as a tactic to monetize features already present in the vehicle. Questions have been raised about the implications of unlocking additional battery capacity on longevity and performance. Tesla's history of altering software capabilities post-purchase without compensation has also raised concerns among customers. The lack of transparency from Tesla regarding battery specifications and future software updates has left some buyers feeling uncertain about their purchase decisions.

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Link Icon 3 comments
By @rchaud - 3 months
This business model is starting to remind me of printers that disable themselves if your ink subscription payments lapse, even when there is ink remaining in the device.
By @pornel - 3 months
This sounds like they're unlocking battery reserve capacity to be freely usable.

NMC batteries wear out quicker if they're fully discharged or kept fully charged, so automakers typically keep extra 3-5% of the battery hidden from the user to prolong the battery life (sort of like extra cells in SSDs).

If the unlock doesn't shorten the battery warranty, then it may be justified to charge for it.