Tesla ends free charging for all models
Order a Tesla Model S, X or 3 from 2017 and you'll have to pay to use the US car-maker's Supercharger networkTesla has announced that it will no longer offer unlimited lifetime free charging on its Supercharger network for new buyers.
From 2017 new Teslas will only come with a limited number of credits for free charges -- worth around 1600km of range.
The news, posted on the car-maker's official blog, says once the 400kWh of complimentary Supercharging credits have been used owners will have to pay a "small fee" to recharge their cars for the rest of the year.
The decision to charge for recharging isn't likely to have a dramatic impact on Australian owners as there are just eight Superchargers in operation Down Under that stretch from Melbourne north 1200km to Port Macquarie, but in other countries like the UK and USA the decision is likely to attract fierce criticism among owners.
Within Tesla, it's hoped the move to charge for the use of the Supercharging network will reduce the long queues at charging stations and push owners to charge their cars at home or a work -- something the US car-maker has been trying to encourage for some time now.
Tesla had already announced that owners of the Model 3 would have to pay to use the firm's fast chargers when the small sedan goes on sale in 2017.
Tesla says the new policy will not affect any current owners of the Model S and Model X who will still enjoy free, unlimited charging. Cars ordered before the end of the year and built before April 1, 2017 will also escape charging costs.
Tesla says it will release more details later in the year including, it's thought, pricing to use the Supercharger network.
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