Tesla locks battery range behind paywall: Difference between revisions
m Added archived reference links |
mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
==How it works== | ==How it works== | ||
This has been the case for all Model Y RWD vehicles sold prior to May 2024, now superseded by the RWD Model Y Long Range. The first was advertised and sold with a 260-mile range, the second with a 320-mile one. The two vehicles have same nickel battery, weight, and charging curves, but customers who purchased the non-Long Range model have to pay $1600 to unlock the full capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=5 May 2024 |title=Tesla plans to charge some Model Y owners to unlock more range |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/5/24149447/tesla-model-y-software-locked-battery-capacity |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505164053/https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/5/24149447/tesla-model-y-software-locked-battery-capacity |archive-date=5 May 2024 |access-date=22 Aug 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Iqtidar |date=18 Jul 2024 |title=Tesla Model Y RWD owners can unlock 50 miles of extra range for $1,600 via an OTA update |url=https://www.teslaoracle.com/2024/07/18/tesla-model-y-rwd-owners-can-unlock-50-miles-of-extra-range-for-1600-via-an-ota-update/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718210100/https://www.teslaoracle.com/2024/07/18/tesla-model-y-rwd-owners-can-unlock-50-miles-of-extra-range-for-1600-via-an-ota-update/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2024 |access-date=22 Aug 2025 |website=teslaoracle.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2024 |title=Model Y Update: Current Tesla RWD Model Y Owners Can Pay to Unlock Extra Range |url=https://electrifynews.com/news/auto/existing-tesla-rwd-model-y-owners-can-pay-to-unlock-extra-range/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 Aug 2025 |website=electrifynews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Poultney |first=Leon |date=7 May 2024 |title=Want more range on your Tesla Model Y? You might have to pay extra to unlock it |url=https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/want-more-range-on-your-tesla-model-y-you-might-have-to-pay-extra-to-unlock-it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/ | This has been the case for all Model Y RWD vehicles sold prior to May 2024, now superseded by the RWD Model Y Long Range. The first was advertised and sold with a 260-mile range, the second with a 320-mile one. The two vehicles have same nickel battery, weight, and charging curves, but customers who purchased the non-Long Range model have to pay $1600 to unlock the full capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=5 May 2024 |title=Tesla plans to charge some Model Y owners to unlock more range |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/5/24149447/tesla-model-y-software-locked-battery-capacity |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505164053/https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/5/24149447/tesla-model-y-software-locked-battery-capacity |archive-date=5 May 2024 |access-date=22 Aug 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Iqtidar |date=18 Jul 2024 |title=Tesla Model Y RWD owners can unlock 50 miles of extra range for $1,600 via an OTA update |url=https://www.teslaoracle.com/2024/07/18/tesla-model-y-rwd-owners-can-unlock-50-miles-of-extra-range-for-1600-via-an-ota-update/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718210100/https://www.teslaoracle.com/2024/07/18/tesla-model-y-rwd-owners-can-unlock-50-miles-of-extra-range-for-1600-via-an-ota-update/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2024 |access-date=22 Aug 2025 |website=teslaoracle.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2024 |title=Model Y Update: Current Tesla RWD Model Y Owners Can Pay to Unlock Extra Range |url=https://electrifynews.com/news/auto/existing-tesla-rwd-model-y-owners-can-pay-to-unlock-extra-range/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525143800/https://electrifynews.com/news/auto/existing-tesla-rwd-model-y-owners-can-pay-to-unlock-extra-range/ |archive-date=25 May 2024 |access-date=22 Aug 2025 |website=electrifynews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Poultney |first=Leon |date=7 May 2024 |title=Want more range on your Tesla Model Y? You might have to pay extra to unlock it |url=https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/want-more-range-on-your-tesla-model-y-you-might-have-to-pay-extra-to-unlock-it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507134720/https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/want-more-range-on-your-tesla-model-y-you-might-have-to-pay-extra-to-unlock-it |archive-date=7 May 2024 |access-date=22 Aug 2025 |website=techradar.com}}</ref> Below the details: | ||
*Full range was not available as a factory option | *Full range was not available as a factory option | ||
Revision as of 17:42, 14 January 2026
All rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Tesla Model Y vehicles sold before May 2024 were advertised with a 260-mile range, despite being equipped with battery hardware capable of approximately 320 miles. Tesla offers a paid software update for $1,600 to unlock this additional capacity.
Background
Tesla has been the pioneer car manufacturer of over-the-air (OTA) software updates, being the first ever to send one in 2012.[1] While having full control of the software and being able to send updates can benefit customers in many ways, it enables the manufacturer to software-lock certain features and hardware that are present and otherwise functional in the car.
How it works
This has been the case for all Model Y RWD vehicles sold prior to May 2024, now superseded by the RWD Model Y Long Range. The first was advertised and sold with a 260-mile range, the second with a 320-mile one. The two vehicles have same nickel battery, weight, and charging curves, but customers who purchased the non-Long Range model have to pay $1600 to unlock the full capacity.[2][3][4][5] Below the details:
- Full range was not available as a factory option
- It can be added to all RWD Model Y sold prior to May 2024
- It can only be bought outright for a $1600 one time fee
- The range will be unlocked by an OTA software update
See also
- BMW feature lockout scandal
- Mazda remote-start subscription
- BMW's heated seat subscription
- Software locks
- Audi Basic HVAC "Sync" Function Paywalled
- Mercedes-Benz locks horsepower behind paid subscription
- Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription
- Mercedes-Benz EQS rear-wheel steering requires subscription
References
- ↑ Newcomb, Doug; Lugo, Ryan (11 Apr 2025). "Still Loading: The Slow Roll of Automotive Over-the-Air Updates". motortrend.com. Archived from the original on 11 Apr 2025. Retrieved 22 Aug 2025.
- ↑ Davis, Wes (5 May 2024). "Tesla plans to charge some Model Y owners to unlock more range". The Verge. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 22 Aug 2025.
- ↑ Ali, Iqtidar (18 Jul 2024). "Tesla Model Y RWD owners can unlock 50 miles of extra range for $1,600 via an OTA update". teslaoracle.com. Archived from the original on 18 Jul 2024. Retrieved 22 Aug 2025.
- ↑ "Model Y Update: Current Tesla RWD Model Y Owners Can Pay to Unlock Extra Range". electrifynews.com. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 22 Aug 2025.
- ↑ Poultney, Leon (7 May 2024). "Want more range on your Tesla Model Y? You might have to pay extra to unlock it". techradar.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 22 Aug 2025.