Tesla Model Y: The Price of Range Unlocks Finally Revealed

Since July 12, 2024, American customers can pay to electronically unlock range on their Tesla Model Y.

“Are you guys serious?” If you’ve already paid for your Tesla Model Y Propulsion, know that you can unlock better performance by reaching deeper into your pockets. It’s like buying a house but leaving a closet as the former owner’s property. Absurd.

Thus, after announcing it, here is Tesla taking action by allowing the unlocking of range on your Model Y Propulsion already in circulation for a fee. The service has been rolled out in the United States since Friday, July 12, 2024, and the prices are finally known.

Everything rests on the observation that Tesla had overestimated the degradation of its batteries, but in reality, it is better than expected. Thus, to artificially guarantee unchanged range over time, the battery is initially restricted in its operation.

This limitation is what Tesla proposes to reduce, for a price. It is said that the new Tesla Model Y Propulsion Long Range is the same car as the Propulsion, but precisely with this unlocking of range.

Up to 1600 dollars

Only the Model Y Propulsion, with the so-called “Standard” battery, is eligible for this offer. Not the Long Range Propulsion or All-Wheel Drive, nor the Performance.

Through their Tesla app, owners can unlock two levels of “Energy Boost” depending on the remaining capacity of their battery. The first, priced at 1000 dollars – so it will be 1000 euros in Europe – promises to recover up to 50 km of additional range.

The second option, priced at 1600 dollars (the same in Europe), promises up to 112 km. WARNING: these values do NOT comply with ANY American homologation cycle. These are estimates specific to each vehicle and based on “internal modeling”. In short, the commercial promise seems quite vague. Likely the reason why the price, initially promised between 1500 and 2000 dollars, has been significantly reduced.

Final point: Tesla does not indicate at all whether the charging performance of the modified Model Y Propulsion was affected. What about the 80% charging time knowing that the volume is now larger, charging curve, capacity, and thus influence on the energy bill? It’s up to the customer (did we say pigeon?) to find out. As usual…

ALSO READ: Tesla Model Y: patience, its price is going to collapse soon!