Tesla unlocks extra miles for Model Y

Tesla has pulled a surprise play on its most affordable Model Y version. The automaker quietly discontinued its short-range, rear-wheel-drive model, replacing it with a longer-range RWD version. But there's an intriguing twist: owners of recently built short-range Model Ys can actually unlock a significant boost in mileage - for an additional fee.

It looks like Tesla has been sneakily installing larger batteries in these short-range Model Y cars for a while. The cars have been purposefully software-limited down to a 260 miles range. That's about to change – CEO Elon Musk spilled the beans, saying owners can pay to unlock 40 miles to 60 miles of extra range with a simple over-the-air software update. Price? $1,500 to $2,000, he says.

The “260 mile” range Model Y’s built over the past several months actually have more range that can be unlocked for $1500 to $2000 (gains 40 to 60 miles of range), depending on which battery cells you have.

Working through regulatory approvals to enable this. pic.twitter.com/6d5Ntekk01

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 4, 2024

When asked why not unlock the range for free, Musk's answer was classic: "We have to pay the bills somehow." It's a good guess these cars were built with new US tax credit rules in mind. The new question on owners' minds is what is the real range for the Tesla Model Y. The mileage boost will put some Tesla Model Ys right up there with the freshly launched long-range version, which boasts around 320 miles of range.

The recently discontinued Tesla Model Y RWD used to start around $42,990 in the US, before factoring in the $7,500 EV tax credit. With the range boost, owners of older Model Ys essentially get the newer, longer-range model at a tidy discount.

It seems Tesla is playing both ends here. It discontinued the cheaper short-range model to make room for a more competitive long-range version, all while offering existing customers a sweet deal. Plus, this makes the Model Y even more enticing, going toe-to-toe with other long-range EVs in the increasingly crowded market.

Via