Tesla has recently launched Energy Boost, a $1,000 or $1,600 option for Model Y Rear Wheel Drive vehicles in the United States.
Elon Musk stated back in May that this upgrade package would be available in the future.
Energy Boost
Energy Boost is an upgrade that unlocks additional range for specific Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive vehicles, in the United States. The upgrade is done in-app, or in-vehicle, and is a software-unlocked range upgrade. To see if your RWD Model Y is eligible navigate to the Upgrades > Software Updates > Buy section of your Tesla app.
This upgrade can provide a range increase of 30 miles or 50 miles, depending on your specific vehicle’s battery chemistry. This means that some of Tesla’s newer Model Y RWD Standard Range models are just software-locked Long Range variants.
Range Increase & Cost
Recent Model Y Rear Wheel Drive vehicles are eligible for the upgrade – cars manufactured approximately in the January 2024 timeframe.
This Energy Boost upgrade will vary depending on the battery chemistry in your vehicle. It will increase your range by 30 miles ($1,000) or 50 miles ($1,600).
As the Canadian Model Y RWDs all come from Giga Shanghai, they are not eligible for a software-unlocked range increase.
Why Software-Lock Batteries?
Its definitely nice to see such an upgrade coming through, especially for those who could use the upgrade, but couldn’t justify picking up a Model Y Long Range at the time. However, there are some qualms behind this.
Historically, Tesla has made several models with software-locked range increases, but they’ve also sometimes installed software-locked batteries in battery replacements. However, there hasn’t really been any consistency with Tesla releasing software-locked batteries in the past as any offerings have been short-lived. It appears that Tesla makes software-locked batteries available only when there’s a very specific reason to do so as opposed to a long-term strategy. We saw a software-locked battery pack introduced in Canada years ago when there was a Canadian incentive for vehicles with a shorter range.
Tesla could also be using Long Range battery packs in SR vehicles if there are supply constraints, but at this point, it’s not clear whether Tesla will continue to offer these battery packs longer-term.
We’d love to see Tesla unlock some of this range – which is already included in the vehicle – for free when the battery degrades. However, this might be what they’re already doing – and it’s far too early to tell just yet.
Advantages for the Consumer
While it may seem wasteful to include more battery cells than required in a vehicle, Tesla will likely pick what’s cheapest for them to manufacture. If we start seeing a high take rate on software-locked battery packs, we could see Tesla continue the trend as it simplifies their manufacturing and creates a fleet monetization plan for Tesla.
There are numerous advantages to the owner of a vehicle with a software-locked battery. Not only can the owner charge to 100% daily without any ill effects, but it also gives the owner additional options down the road.
Someone’s needs may change, or they may want to upgrade the range on the vehicle after it sees some battery degradation or a variety of other reasons. Whatever, the reason, some RWD Model Y owners may have new options in their Tesla app today.
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It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).
FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.
In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.
FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.
Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.
Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.
When Will it Be Available?
Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.
Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.
Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.
The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.
This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.
But the price is now a princely $6.90, as foretold in the prophecy 😂
Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.
So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.
That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).
Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.
A “Maturing” Service
The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.
While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.
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