Tesla Offers Lifetime Supercharging Again, But There’s a Twist
Following the launch of the Luxe Package, Tesla has brought back Lifetime Supercharging, a highly anticipated perk that many Tesla owners thought was gone for good. While this perk includes free charging at over 7,500 Superchargers globally, there are some significant changes that potential buyers need to be aware of.
The updated Lifetime Supercharging perk by Tesla now ties the benefit specifically to the original owner’s Tesla Account, eliminating the transferability of the perk to a new owner if the vehicle is sold. This means that the perk is no longer a transferable, vehicle-based asset.
Essentially, what was once a permanent feature of the vehicle has now become a personal, non-transferable benefit. But there’s more to it than that.
Update: The Cybertruck’s Foundation Series also comes with the same terms for Lifetime Supercharging.
Non-Transferable Benefit
The new terms of Lifetime Supercharging are crystal clear – the offer is now tied to your Tesla Account and cannot be transferred to another vehicle, person, or order, even in the case of ownership transfer. This means that if you purchase a Tesla with Lifetime Supercharging, the free charging benefit is only valid for as long as you own that specific vehicle under your account. If you sell the car, the benefit is lost and does not transfer to the new owner, even if it’s a transfer within the family.
For Personal Use Only
Tesla specifies that free Supercharging is only available for personal vehicles and personal use. It cannot be used for ridesharing or delivery services like Uber or DoorDash, or any other commercial purposes. Tesla reserves the right to remove the free Lifetime Supercharging benefit from a vehicle if it’s being used for commercial purposes.
Impact on the Used Market
This change will have a significant impact on the used Tesla market in the future. Previously, older Model S and Model X vehicles with transferable Lifetime Supercharging had a higher resale value. This perk was a major selling point that could increase a vehicle’s resale value by thousands of dollars, as the new owner would inherit the unlimited charging benefits.
With the new terms in place, the value of this perk vanishes upon ownership transfer, making a used Tesla with this feature no more valuable than one without it from a charging perspective.
Closing Loopholes and Fine Print
The updated terms also include clarifications to prevent abuse of the system, such as excluding used vehicles, business orders, and vehicles used for commercial purposes. Tesla aims to prevent misuse by rideshare drivers and those attempting to power their homes using the Cybertruck’s battery.
While these changes may make Lifetime Supercharging less appealing, they are necessary to maintain order at Superchargers and ensure fair usage of the perk. This move may pave the way for Tesla to continue offering the perk in the future.
Although this change is a strategic decision for Tesla as its fleet expands, it marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic perks in EV history. While new owners can still enjoy the benefit, the used Tesla market will no longer see vehicles with free Lifetime Supercharging.