[bro1999]

https://electrek.co/2016/11/07/tesl...arging-new-supercharging-credit-program-2017/

Unless you pull a T-Mobile and put a huge asterisk next to "unlimited".

400 kWh of free Supercharging per year for all Teslas sold after 31 Dec 2016, then a "minor" fee after you exceed 400.

 

[Ziv]

Interesting. I don't think it will be a problem for most Tesla owners since they charge at home the vast majority of the time. It will make the wait at the more popular Superchargers a bit shorter.
400 kWh is probably 10 charging sessions so you still have almost one a month, even with the limit in place.
The biggest impact will be on the Tesla fans boasting rights. LOL!

 

[bro1999]

Interesting. I don't think it will be a problem for most Tesla owners since they charge at home the vast majority of the time. It will make the wait at the more popular Superchargers a bit shorter.
400 kWh is probably 10 charging sessions so almost one a month.
The biggest impact will be on the Tesla fans boasting rights. LOL!

It's funny how the Tesla fans are actually spinning this as good news....removing the 1 benefit that Tesla has touted for so long. Lol

 

[stuart22]

Just the first step towards the eventual full elimination of free access. Tesla will keep an eye on how the growing DCFC network handles its fees, and respond in kind. Perhaps Tesla's fee will be somewhat less in order to maintain a marketing edge, but there will be a fee.

 

[!arry4pyro]

Not so good news for the limo services using Teslas and the free Supercharger network between LA and Las Vegas.

 

[hellsop]

Link to actual "horse's mouth" announcement: Tesla Blog Entry

A big oversight in this announcement is "What happened to CPO cars that *currently* have unlimited Supercharging, but were bought by new owners after Jan 1?"

 

[Taser54]

And the funny part, Tesla just raised prices of their cars by $2000. So not only are they charging more, they are giving the consumer less. The cost of "free" supercharging for life was already rolled into the car. Now basically tesla is only conferring a benefit equal to about $60/yr worth of electricity (at $0.15/ kw It's actually less.). The bottom line, tesla will charge new owners thousands of dollars for supercharging access, then limits them to essentially $600 of charging over 10 years of ownership.

 

[bro1999]

And the funny part, Tesla just raised prices of their cars by $2000. So not only are they charging more, they are giving the consumer less. The cost of "free" supercharging for life was already rolled into the car. Now basically tesla is only conferring a benefit equal to about $60/yr worth of electricity (at $0.15/ kw It's actually less.). The bottom line, tesla will charge new owners thousands of dollars for supercharging access, then limits them to essentially $600 of charging over 10 years of ownership.

Hey, maybe they'll drop the price $1k after new year's and push how the Model S/X got a price chop! Even though they will be $1k more expensive than just a few months ago.

1. Increase price $2k
2. Remove free, unlimited Supercharging
3. Tout awesome $1k price chop in Jan 2017!
4. Profit!

 

[freshcut]

Sounds like a marketing gimmick to me to be honest. I get that the SC network is being abused by a small percentage of drivers who look at it as a free way to charge up which was not it's intention. However with all current vehicles being exempt from this annual usage cap as well as any vehicle sold and delivery taken by the beginning of next year it almost sounds like Tesla is using this to boost their end of year sales. I know if I were in the market for a Tesla, I would almost certainly put this new information into my decision to buy sooner rather than later.

 

[bro1999]

Sounds like a marketing gimmick to me to be honest. I get that the SC network is being abused by a small percentage of drivers who look at it as a free way to charge up which was not it's intention. However with all current vehicles being exempt from this annual usage cap as well as any vehicle sold and delivery taken by the beginning of next year it almost sounds like Tesla is using this to boost their end of year sales. I know if I were in the market for a Tesla, I would almost certainly put this new information into my decision to buy sooner rather than later.

Yep, will definitely make picking up a S/X by 31 Dec much more appealing. "If you don't purchase/order by 31 Dec, you'll miss out on free unlimited, lifetime Supecharging!".

Will make those inventory vehicles mighty enticing for fence sitters....and help Tesla hit their annual sales goal.

 

[ctiomico2003]

I also think this will boost the used Tesla prices as well.
I doubt they will touch the CPO cars from having the free supercharging.

There is definitely abuse of the supercharger network though (just like any free L2 charging stations) and I am happy that Tesla is finally doing something about it. (Even if it is a marketing ploy)

Personally, I do not mind paying for electricity when in public, but some stations are too expensive, others free and too crowded.

Price will push people to charge more at home and quit abusing the system as much.

 

[Joe67]

As if it was ever really 'free' anyway lol

 

[Steverino]

As DCFC roll-outs continue, the advantages of the no longer free SuperCharger network will become less and less. Eventually it will be like a hotel advertising "in-room phones" as an advantage over other hotels. Eventually Tesla may be reduced to advertising that their fast charging handle is round vs. the triangular SAE handle.

 

[bro1999]

As DCFC roll-outs continue, the advantages of the no longer free SuperCharger network will become less and less. Eventually it will be like a hotel advertising "in-room phones" as an advantage over other hotels. Eventually Tesla may be reduced to advertising that their fast charging handle is round vs. the triangular SAE handle.

Like free long-distance phone calls? That's a huge perk. Lol

 

[volt11]

This obviously had to be done before the Model 3 hits the streets. Looks to me like they did it just right and fair to everyone involved. It's also a good opportunity for businesses to offer free Tesla charging to draw in customers, like my favorite B&B near Hershey, PA. Right now there's a Supercharger on the highway not too far away, but if you had to pay vs. stopping for the night and staying at the Inn, it creates that added incentive.

I think that will be the eventual snowball effect for broad charging infrastructure, when there are enough people out their prowling around for where to grab a fast charge that businesses of all sizes really take notice. I'm surprised more businesses haven't geared up for this already, particularly shopping malls, restaurant chains, etc. When it eventually happens, Volt and ELR owners will be at a disadvantage due to the lousy 3.3 - 3.6 KW limit for charging. But hey, there's always gasoline-- at least that's GM's attitude.

 

[Barry]

I think this is a good move for Tesla owners. I never thought a free charging network was a good idea in the long term. You can’t give something away and also properly allocate it among those who need it. I am sure the average Tesla owner would rather pay a fee than wait in line at an overcrowded supercharger. They could even implement peak time pricing to smooth the demand and reduce wait times even more.

 

[srmarti]

I think this is a good move for Tesla owners. I never thought a free charging network was a good idea in the long term. You can’t give something away and also properly allocate it among those who need it. I am sure the average Tesla owner would rather pay a fee than wait in line at an overcrowded supercharger. They could even implement peak time pricing to smooth the demand and reduce wait times even more.

I can't see spinning it that much. To me, it getting less for the money. The impact on supercharger crowding is far from a foregone conclusion.

 

[Steverino]

Volt and ELR owners will be at a disadvantage due to the lousy 3.3 - 3.6 KW limit for charging. But hey, there's always gasoline-- at least that's GM's attitude.

Or, get a Bolt EV. No gas, 7.3 kW charging, DCFC option.

 

[Qinsp]

...When it eventually happens, Volt and ELR owners will be at a disadvantage due to the lousy 3.3 - 3.6 KW limit for charging. But hey, there's always gasoline-- at least that's GM's attitude.

Let's say you have a EREV with a 50 mile range that gets 40 mpg on gas at $5 a gallon.

Remote charging is anywhere from free to $15. If it's free, no problem. If it's a lot more, you figured out how to make it cost more to drive a Volt than a Ford F-150.

Let's say the Volt did have DCFC, and it was $5 to hook (it's $9.95 here). While you proved that recharging takes longer than refueling, you didn't prove you charge at 90 miles per hour. Because you can't hold 90 miles of charge.

It simply does not make financial sense to carry around more weight and make higher payments for a feature that most of the time costs you more money than not having the "savings" option.

 

[Qinsp]

It reminds me of a comment from an "eighty mile" EV owner, that if a national grid is completed, they can drive coast to coast.

Yes, and you can have a root canal without anesthesia. I would not recommend either as more than a Bucket List item not to be repeated. Drive an hour, charge 1/2 hour, drive an hour, charge 1/2 an hour... Uggghhh.... And that's 80 miles advertised range.