Tesla is infamous for building functionality into cars and charging people to unlock it, instead of dropping the price by not including the stuff in the first place. For a little while, they sold a 75kWh car that was functionally limited to 60kWh of range; Tesla would charge owners anywhere between $4,500 and $9,000 to unlock the batteries' full capacity.
However, while many see this as a slightly skeevy way to do things, it's undoubtedly more cost-effective for Tesla; manufacturing only the larger, more expensive battery is cheaper overall than designing and building two separate-capacity batteries. But since Hurricane Irma is battering the southeastern US, Tesla have remotely issued a software update that temporarily unlocks the battery restrictions for the purpose of helping Tesla drivers in Florida and the surrounding islands get the hell out of Dodge.
The extra capacity is reportedly good for about 35 miles of added range, which should make it noticeably easier for Florida residents to evacuate in their cars, and it also helps that Tesla operates around 20 Superchargers all along both coasts of the state. The upgrade will last through September 16th, hopefully long enough for most people to get somewhere safe.
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Comments (17)
Oh fuck, I can see it fucking now.
"You're almost out of range, if you'd like to unlock more range you can enter a credit card number, or watch these ads!"
They're going to make freemium fucking cars.
Haha!😂 That is when You know the world is about to end!
This Tesla scenario is reminiscent of #JamesMay range anxiety in the i3 vs Golf (GT episode 13). Except rather than missing a concert, Florida residents are running for their lives. Quite a pickle, indeed.
Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but phoning my car's manufacturer to beg for range extension so that I can flee from an imminent death torrent is not exactly what I need to preoccupy myself with whilst attempting to flee from said imminent death torrent. Electric vehicles aren't the pollution solution if they're unable to get folks out of harm's way.
"I'm sorry, family, it looks like our Tesla won't let us evacuate." 😬
so they already put a long range battery (which means that the clients paid already for it) in to the car but they want extra money to "unlock" it... am i the only one who thinks that it is a bit.. BS?..
No. I thought the same thing...
Even though I love Tesla cars, everyday I dislike the company Tesla more.
Nobody needs to 'like' Tesla. It's purpose is to change the automotive market, and that it has already done. As for the money they make, if you pay them, its your risk. If you haven't bought a Tesla, STFU and do something with all the fucks you give.