Tesla has announced in the United States that a new policy is in place regarding vehicle deliveries. The car will be handed over to the customer with a low battery, requiring a Supercharger hookup in many cases. But Tesla has planned for it, offering a small gift in return to new owners.
Car delivered with 47% battery, first stop at the Supercharger // Source: Mael Pilven
If you took delivery of your Tesla Model 3 or Model Y recently, chances are the battery was low on battery power before it was delivered to you. Indeed, with the new methods used and chain deliveries, Elon Musk’s company no longer takes the time to prepare each vehicle before delivery to the end customer. In the United States, some customers awaiting delivery have received a message warning them that their car will not be delivered with a full battery, far from it…
Less than 50% battery before shipping
Tesla said a new policy required them to ship vehicles with less than 50% battery charge. This announcement probably follows the cargo ship Felicity Ace which had caught fire while transporting vehicles (electric and thermal, without the cause of the fire having been identified) in February 2022.
While it’s understandable that Tesla charges vehicles less than 50% before shipping them by boat or train for safety reasons, the people in charge of delivery could recharge them to 100% (or almost) a few hours before the keys are handed over.
The reality is, moreover, that for many months, deliveries have been made with little remaining battery, without our having been informed in advance of the phase. For example, I took possession of my Tesla Model Y in December 2022 with 22% battery remaining, which naturally prevented me from making the return trip in one go.
Tesla having announced this change officially in the United States, to pass the pill, the firm of Elon Musk has decided to offer the equivalent of 250 kilometers of free Supercharging. Please note, however, that these free Supercharge kilometers will not be available upon delivery, but will appear a few days later. So, in practice, the compulsory charge to return home will still be payable. A funny way of doing things, as often at Tesla.
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