Tesla Will Charge for Their Supercharging Stations Soon
If you didn’t see this one coming then you are new to life. Tesla Motors plans to start charging new customers for using its fast charging network. The company announced in a blog post that customers who buy cars after January 1, 2017 will have 1000 miles of free charging. After the customer used up their miles, it’s select your payment option time! As of yet, Tesla didn’t release any price details, but promised to fill in the blinks later this year.
We’ve designed our network so that all customers have access to a seamless and convenient charging experience when they’re away from home, as our intention has always been for Supercharging to enable long distance travel. That’s why today we’re announcing a change to the economics of Supercharging – one that allows us to reinvest in the network, accelerate its growth and bring all owners, current and future, the best Supercharging experience.
In 2012, Tesla launched the first Superchargers, and promised their customers free charging for life. However, Tesla must charge their customers for the use of electricity. Some Tesla owners are abusing this perk making it harder for the company to manage. Just one supercharger station turned on is like putting 7 to 10 houses on the power grid. Another factor, Tesla is planning to grow, and sell about 500,000 cars by 2018. The company is currently paying for the cost of electricity at their charge stations to their current customers. If Tesla continues their free for life charging promise to every new customer, it could impact their Supercharging stations. Tesla is working very hard to cut cost to their next upcoming Model 3 car. The company is planning to charge a small fee to owners to continue to use their Supercharging during travel.
For Teslas ordered after January 1, 2017, 400 kWh of free Supercharging credits (roughly 1,000 miles) will be included annually so that all owners can continue to enjoy free Supercharging during travel. Beyond that, there will be a small fee to Supercharge which will be charged incrementally and cost less than the price of filling up a comparable gas car. All cars will continue to come standard with the onboard hardware required for Supercharging.
If you want or planned to purchase a Tesla Model 3 now is the time to do so. Tesla plans to begin production around mid 2017. The Model 3 is starting at 35,000 USD, it can be reserve it for 1000 USD on Tesla’s website.
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