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 numerous adjustments just lately. Not solely has its worth various fairly a bit, however Tesla has launched after which axed a “Customary Vary” Mannequin Y with smaller battery, and just 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 have 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 appears like these upgrades are able to go, as sure Mannequin Y homeowners have began seeing an “Power Enhance” improve accessible of their Tesla app.
Some homeowners 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 based mostly on inside modeling and can differ relying on elements like battery age and driving behaviors.”
Given that fifty miles is a pretty big chunk of further vary – some 15% or so – we are able to think about that the numbers would possibly endure from typical Tesla, uh, “optimism.” And provided that these numbers are “based mostly on inside modeling” and never EPA-cycle testing, your mileage could differ.
The improve is out there now, however solely accessible 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 combined on this observe. 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 increased worth factors (and certainly different merchandise as nicely – laptop CPU sellers do one thing comparable). And Tesla deliberately doesn’t promote vehicles based mostly on kWh capability, however fairly based mostly on vary, so it’s not like they’re promoting you one thing apart 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 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 loads of different fascinating issues too. First, which battery cells are getting used, and why the distinction? Is yet one more succesful than the opposite? (Tesla has executed 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 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 vehicles are being supplied totally different upgrades, what kind of batteries these vehicles 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, however, uh….
What do you concentrate on this new Power Enhance improve? Tell us within the feedback.
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