Tesla Model Y rear-wheel drive news: Tesla launches range upgrades for the Model Y RWD
Tesla has initiated range upgrades in the U.S. for the recently discontinued Model Y rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicles, in line with the company’s earlier announcement of forthcoming enhancements to the electric vehicle’s (EV) range.
After Tesla replaced the previous RWD Model Y with a new RWD Long Range configuration in May, CEO Elon Musk announced that Tesla would soon offer range upgrades for owners of the old entry-level variant. Now, Tesla has fulfilled that promise, as some owners are starting to see the option to boost the range with an “energy boost” for their RWD Model Y units.
Tesla rolled out “energy boost” upgrades through its mobile app last Friday, targeting owners of the Model Y RWD. These upgrades promise an additional 30 or 50 miles of range, tailored to the specific battery configurations of each vehicle. Customers have the choice between a $1,000 software-locked upgrade for a 30-mile range extension, or a $1,600 enhancement providing an additional 50 miles of range.
Despite Elon Musk’s previous suggestion that software-locked range improvements might add anywhere from 40 to 60 miles at a cost of $1,500 to $2,000, the introduction of these upgrades is likely a welcome development for EV owners looking to extend their vehicle’s range, despite the slight deviation from the originally anticipated details.
A few months back, Tesla unveiled the Model Y RWD Long Range as its latest base-level offering for the electric SUV, boasting around 320 miles of range. Now, with the software-locked upgrades, most owners of earlier Model Y RWD units will see their vehicles nearly matching the capabilities of the recently launched model.
Amidst widespread anticipation for an upcoming Model Y “Juniper” refresh, Tesla and Musk have consistently stated it won’t debut this year. Nevertheless, there’s anticipation for an eventual streamlined redesign, akin to Tesla’s recent updates to the Model 3 over the past few years.
