The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range has had an interesting and short existence as the fabled $35,000 Model 3. Due to several decisions made on Tesla’s part, the first deliveries of the Standard Range Model 3 had the range of the Standard Range Plus. After a certain of having that freebie, owners will now be hit with a software upgrade that will return the range to its correct value.
The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range at a $35,000 price point had existed for a short time. Not too long after the announcement, Tesla had pulled the Standard Range Model 3 from its configurator and buyers had to purchase it “off-menu”. Additionally during this time, there were a lot of price adjusting shenanigans going on that Tesla is now known for.
As of now, there is no Standard Range Model 3 on the configuarator (but can be bought off-menu for $35,400), but instead a Standard Range Plus which includes a higher range along with better interior and various other upgrades.
Nonetheless, people had already purchased the regular Standard Range Model 3. What owners found out was that they were delivered Stand Range Plus models and that the regular Standard Range Model 3 just used a software locked battery (240 miles vs. 220 miles).
Tesla had explained that the Standard Range Model 3:
Its range will be limited by 10%, and several features will be disabled via software (including our onboard music streaming service, navigation with live traffic visualization, and heated seats).
Tesla stated it would push a software update that would return the range of the Standard Range Model 3 to its correct mileage. However it seems that owners have not received a software downgrade and have been rocking the increased range.
Tesla has recently started delivering Standard Range Model 3s with the actual software-locked features. So this means that they have gotten around to writing the appropriate software.
And sure enough, according to Electrek, owners of the Model 3 Standard Range had received the following email:
“Your Model 3 will soon receive new software that matches the Model 3 Standard Range configuration you ordered. As we communicated in April, this includes a limited range of 220 miles, and the removal of several software features. To continue experiencing the extended range, faster acceleration and Autopilot features of Model Standard Range Plus, schedule a service appointment through your Tesla app.”
For the time being, there is no word on how much the upgrade would cost. But given that the current difference in price between the Standard Range and Plus is $4,500, we presume that it would be in the same ballpark.
So if you were one of the ones that were enjoying the upgraded features, enjoy it while it lasts.
Source: Electrek
2 comments
Tesla will keep going backwards by doing shady things like this. They say they want everyone in an electric car and then do these things….. they are steering people back to ICE cars.
The typical Tesla Motors shakedown of their customers