Tesla Adds Lifetime Free Supercharging For All Model 3 Performance Owners

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Tesla’s referral program has been updated as of August 1st to include lifetime free Supercharging for not just the Model S and X, but also the Model 3 Performance build. The change has been applied retroactively to all Tesla Model 3 Performance vehicles that have been ordered, making the vehicle just a little bit more special than it already was.

Tesla clarified in the frequently asked questions that the change was to be applied retroactively, granting all Tesla Model 3 Performance vehicles ordered so far lifetime free Supercharging.

I am a current owner of a Model 3 Performance. Will I be eligible for free, unlimited Supercharging?

Yes. Existing Model 3 Performance owners will receive free, unlimited Supercharging. Please allow three weeks for the change to be applied to your vehicle account. Existing Model 3 Performance owners will also be able to offer free, unlimited Supercharging with to new Model S, Model X and Model 3 Performance orders.

At the same time, the new referral program marks the end of lifetime free supercharging as of September 16th. At that point referrals will still have some value as Tesla has introduced a new 1 year of free unlimited Supercharging as the referral benefit for the Model S, Model X, and Model 3 Performance. The change to the policy is fantastic news for Model 3 Performance owners and prospective owners as they now have a short window of just over 2 months to order one of a very select handful of Model 3s that will have lifetime free Supercharging.

At an average cost of $0.25/kWh and an EPA estimated efficiency of 3.45 miles per kilowatt-hour for the Model 3 Performance, lifetime free Supercharging is worth $870 per year for someone who uses Supercharging to cover 12,000 miles per year. Granted, most people do 95% of their charging at home but as someone whose current living situation doesn’t allow for home charging, the benefit of free Supercharging isn’t lost on me. Even beyond using Supercharging for all daily driving, it is nice to be able to stop in to charge without having to worry about the price, as we experienced with our 2013 Tesla Model S.

Tesla’s referral program was rolled out to Model 3 owners a few days after taking delivery of their vehicles with the addition of the ‘loot box’ to their mobile apps. The loot box is the mobile home of the Tesla referral program and allows owners to refer friends and family while on the go and to view the status of their referrals.

The news comes as Tesla continues its push for profitability, shoring up its free Supercharging for life program to spur sales of a few thousand more of its more profitable S, 3 and X vehicles in a quarter where all eyes will surely be on not just year over year sales, but on quarter over quarter sales. Tesla had built up an inventory of Model 3s in June, even deferring shipments into Canada to delay hitting the milestone 200,000th delivery which marked the end of the Federal Tax Credit in the US.

Just 1 week prior to hitting the milestone, Tesla opened up the floodgates of orders for its higher trimmed models to all reservation holders while also adding in new options for the All-Wheel Drive and Performance builds. Just as those moves spurred sales of the Model 3, adding lifetime free Supercharging to the Model 3 Performance is sure to encourage those on the fence to pull the trigger on a new Model 3 Performance build in a quarter where Tesla so desperately needs every last penny of profit.

Image credit: Kyle Field | CleanTechnica


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Kyle Field

I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. As an activist investor, Kyle owns long term holdings in Tesla, Lightning eMotors, Arcimoto, and SolarEdge.

Kyle Field has 1654 posts and counting. See all posts by Kyle Field