The buyer of a used Tesla Model S had the unpleasant surprise of having to pay €4,500 to the manufacturer to regain access to an option already purchased by the previous owner. In this case, this buyer was deprived of 120 km of autonomy, blocked remotely by Tesla.
As you know, the main advantage of Tesla is to allow users to have an “à la carte” vehicle by purchasing options that allow for certain improve your car’s performance via software updates. Since June 2022, Tesla has, for example, offered an “enhanced acceleration” option on the Model Y, billed at $2,000 all the same, which makes it possible to reach 100 km/ in 4.2 seconds.
It is also impossible to forget the famous Fully Autonomous Driving option, today offered at the particularly steep price of $10,000. However, and as the following story proves, this advantage can turn against you, in particular when you buy a used Tesla.
The problematic case of Tesla’s “scalable” batteries
First of all, we must remember one thing: during the first years of Tesla, the manufacturer used to sell electric cars with batteries with autonomy locked by software. It was a way for the brand to provide different runtime options without having to manufacture battery packs of different sizes.
For example, the first Tesla Model S 40s were actually equipped with a 60 kWh battery limited to 40 kWh via a software lock. Of course, customers wanting more range could pay to unlock more capabilities. Eventually, Tesla ended up abandoning this practice over the years, but nonetheless the brand continued to use software-locked battery packs during warranty replacements for certain packs it no longer produces.
What sometimes create ubiquitous situations, as you will see. Indeed, a customer says he bought a used Tesla Model S 90 that was previously a Model S 60. The previous owner had purchased the option to improve autonomy, and quite naturally, the new buyer paid the price to have a Model S 90.
Also read: Model 3 and Y – Tesla raises vehicle prices and color options again
Tesla voluntarily restricts the capacities of its used Model S
Shortly after purchase, this customer visited a Tesla service center to get a software upgrade so his vehicle could stay connected to the internet, older models with only 3G connection (a network doomed to disappear in the USA and in many countries of the world).
After the visit, the manufacturer informed him that a fault had been detected in the configuration of his vehicle and that a corrective measure was going to be deployed remotely. This “fix” actually brought its battery back to its original capacity, namely 60 kWh instead of 90 kWh. In this setup, the customer loses 120 km of autonomy all the same.
4500 dollars to regain full autonomy
Thinking it was a mistake, the customer explains to Tesla that he paid for a Model S 90. He was not ready for Tesla’s response, which tells him that he will have to pay 4500 dollars to unlock the full capacities of the battery again of his used Model S. Finally, it took the buyer to recount his misadventures on social networks to cause an outcry and encourage Tesla to restore the capacity of the 90 kWh battery packs for free, which, as a reminder, he had already paid for…
And you, what do you think of the behavior of the Tesla? Do you believe that the brand was within its rights to request the new payment for this option? It should be remembered that the options are linked to a single Tesla account. Knowing this, we can understand that Tesla charges this option again. Only, the problem here that the previous owner included this option in the selling price of his used Model S. In fact, the new buyer found himself in a situation where he had to pay twice for the same thing…
Source: Electrek