When Tesla launched the Mannequin S it debuted a whole lot of cool options and expertise which have unfold throughout the automotive panorama. A type of options, over-the-air updates, permits the producer to enhance, and in some circumstances worsen a car’s options. That’s what reportedly simply befell when Tesla disabled some 80 miles (about 129 km) of vary and advised a buyer that to get it again, they’d must pony up $4,500. Then the web discovered.
Proper off of the highest, it’s no secret that Tesla will disable options earlier than reselling a used car that’s traded into it. Whereas which may sound shady it’s inside their proper to take action. What isn’t so widespread is the state of affairs that led to 1 proprietor strolling out of his home at some point to seek out his Mannequin S with 80 miles much less vary than just some minutes earlier.
Delivered to gentle on Twitter by Jason Hughes, proprietor of a Tesla part enterprise, one buyer skilled simply this case just lately. The shopper is the third proprietor of a used 2013 Mannequin S 60, which because the nomenclature suggests, was initially offered with a 60 kWh battery. Sooner or later throughout its life with that first proprietor, Tesla swapped out the battery for a 90 kWh capability pack below guarantee and made no matter adjustments have been crucial to permit the automotive to make use of its full capability.
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Tesla actually fires me up generally.😡🧵
I’ve a buyer who’s the ~third proprietor of a 2013 Mannequin S 60.
Sooner or later years in the past the battery pack was swapped below guarantee with a 90 pack. It wasn’t software program restricted. It was successfully made right into a 90 by Tesla.
Years glided by.
(1/*)— Jason Hughes (@wk057) July 25, 2022
Years go by and the automotive adjustments arms a few instances earlier than the present proprietor takes it into Tesla service to get an unrelated software program improve that may enable him to maintain an web connection now that 3G goes away. In line with Hughes, all the things goes simply tremendous on the appointment and the proprietor drives residence with no hitch. Sooner or later thereafter, Tesla “calls him to inform him that they discovered and glued a configuration mistake together with his automotive.”
That “configuration mistake” in Tesla’s eyes was that it ought to’ve technically been locked as a Mannequin S 60 until the present buyer was prepared to pay $4,500 to get the 80 or so miles (129 km) of vary again. It’s price noting that there are software program hacks that would’ve mounted the problem however it will require utterly disconnecting from Tesla providers which is why the client went to get the software program replace to start with.
Hughes pointed all of this out in a protracted thread on Twitter that went viral on Monday and as of in the present day, he says that the issue on this specific case, and even in one other comparable state of affairs, appears to be mounted. After all, we must always level out that Tesla for its half hasn’t confirmed or denied this case and as such, we will solely name this a report for now.
That is precisely the kind of state of affairs the place Tesla would profit from having some type of precise public relations division. Then it may merely come out, state the info from its personal facet, make public amends to no matter diploma, set a precedent, and transfer on. As a substitute, we’re all left questioning what the following wild and wacky story of Tesla possession will find yourself being and what if something the model will do about it.
Following up:
This buyer has his full 90 again as of this morning. 🥳
One other buyer in the same boat can also be in contact with Tesla and must be getting taken care of by the tip of the week.
I am hoping this helps drives some coverage enhancements on their facet! 🤞🏻 https://t.co/rnYQRBBHLm
— Jason Hughes (@wk057) July 27, 2022