Supercharging solely for those who have free access

[Nexus6]

For those of us who purchased with free access to supercharging, can I just supercharge each week and not plug into my home? That was one of the reasons I bought it. The manager at the store told me I should be charging it at home and only supercharge on trips. I'm thinking tesla just doesn't want to pay for all my charging. I only go from my office and back and run errands with an occasional long 80 mile trip to the lake on weekends. Would my battery capability really be effected that much? I plan on keeping my baby for at least 10 years if not more. I'm in love!

We have Life Time Supercharging on on X and Cyberbeast. We never charge at home. We find ourselves always catching up on emails texts and phone calls while we’re charging. That’s what makes the Lifetime Supercharging so valuable. Cost of energy never goes down. There will be dips in prices but over time but it always goes up.

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[Lasttoy]

It's called free market choice. Buy what you like. I don't care if car next to me is getting free juice. It was his choice. I know areas of 3s that live condos who only pay to charge.

 

[TTRUCK]

Purchased in 2013 a model S that I have updated over time with 90k battery (the largest it can hold instead of 100k) new computer, screen etc. Also have a 2024 Beast. All model Ss back then came with free supercharging. About 10 years ago, all Tesla owners who had free supercharging received an blast email saying that free Supercharging was for people traveling long distances from home and that the use of Superchargers instead of home charging was considered an abuse of free supercharging and that Superchargers were to remain free of local people charging so that travelers would not be inconvenienced.

 

[Jimo]

For those of us who purchased with free access to supercharging, can I just supercharge each week and not plug into my home? That was one of the reasons I bought it. The manager at the store told me I should be charging it at home and only supercharge on trips. I'm thinking tesla just doesn't want to pay for all my charging. I only go from my office and back and run errands with an occasional long 80 mile trip to the lake on weekends. Would my battery capability really be effected that much? I plan on keeping my baby for at least 10 years if not more. I'm in love!

When I bought my 2017 Model X, it had Free Supercharging. Although I installed a home charger, I only charged a the Supercharger 5 miles from my home (to save money)! I did that for a couple of years; but then decided it was more convenient to wake up everyday with an 80% charge.
After 100,000 miles, I traded for a 2023 Model X. The battery had only degraded about 5 miles.

 

[BlackRhino]

For those of us who purchased with free access to supercharging, can I just supercharge each week and not plug into my home? That was one of the reasons I bought it. The manager at the store told me I should be charging it at home and only supercharge on trips. I'm thinking tesla just doesn't want to pay for all my charging. I only go from my office and back and run errands with an occasional long 80 mile trip to the lake on weekends. Would my battery capability really be effected that much? I plan on keeping my baby for at least 10 years if not more. I'm in love!

I 99% SuperCharge only. It's free! Been doing it since 2015.

 

[Hookalakupua]

Why are you charging at peak rates?

And too bad you're not actually at Palo Alto rates. Those are like super cheap.

-Crissa

We choose to charge at peak rates because of our work schedule and activities for the kids. Off peak I think is 10pm-6am or something like that and those hours would definitely make it inconvenient. With free supercharging, it’s a moot point for us. We charge our Y at these times for the same reasons even though we have to pay for it.

Our situation is a little unique in that we have a home charger at our home in Tahoe/Reno but rent in the Bay at a home that doesn’t have a charger so we’re forced to use supercharging.

The two sites in Palo Alto near Stanford are $0.52 and $0.53 per kWh but again, we have free supercharging so it doesn’t really matter. When we’re trying to look at savings, we’re taking our best guesstimate based on where and when we’ve charged so far.

 

[Hookalakupua]

Purchased in 2013 a model S that I have updated over time with 90k battery (the largest it can hold instead of 100k) new computer, screen etc. Also have a 2024 Beast. All model Ss back then came with free supercharging. About 10 years ago, all Tesla owners who had free supercharging received an blast email saying that free Supercharging was for people traveling long distances from home and that the use of Superchargers instead of home charging was considered an abuse of free supercharging and that Superchargers were to remain free of local people charging so that travelers would not be inconvenienced.

I know it was a while ago but any chance you still have that email? I know a few people that had the S with free supercharging and they’re still using it exclusively to this day and never received the email. Would love to send it to a contact at Tesla for comment. Thanks

 

[YDR37]

About 10 years ago, all Tesla owners who had free supercharging received an blast email saying that free Supercharging was for people traveling long distances from home and that the use of Superchargers instead of home charging was considered an abuse of free supercharging and that Superchargers were to remain free of local people charging so that travelers would not be inconvenienced.

I know it was a while ago but any chance you still have that email? I know a few people that had the S with free supercharging and they’re still using it exclusively to this day and never received the email. Would love to send it to a contact at Tesla for comment. Thanks

Telsarati ran a story about Supercharger abuse back in December 2016. It quotes an email that Tesla sent to "Model S owners identified by the company as abusing their Supercharger privileges". The email was reportedly sent 18 months earlier, which would have been around June 2015:

The Supercharger Network’s intent remains to expand and enhance your long distance travel while providing the flexibility for occasional needed use during local trips. Our goal is to provide the best charging experience, keeping charge times low to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. As a frequent user of local Superchargers, we ask that you decrease your local Supercharging and promptly move your Model S once charging is complete….

The bottom line is that Tesla built the Supercharger network for travelers; it was never meant to replace home charging. Tesla is certainly aware that some owners with free Supercharging are using the network for free instead of charging at home, and they can identify those people. However, Tesla has not (as far as I know) ever cracked down on this practice, they have only discouraged it.

If Elon ever reaches the conclusion that Tesla needs to operate more efficiently, and that significant cost-cutting measures are necessary, restricting free local Supercharging might seem like an obvious step.

 

[TTRUCK]

This is not the email I received about excessive supercharging that was apparently targeted to high users close to home. I do not have a copy of it, but it was more generic just discussing the benefit of using it more for longer trips away from home and less as a all the time local "gas station" reploacement. It did however mention that action could be taken to stop abuse. It was about 10 years ago my best guess, but a lot has changed since then. There are many more Superchargers now then back then. I think the current free supercharging offer language indicates that Tesla is giving itself options, since they don't define what level of use would now be abusive.

 

[MetroWestMA]

I have a beast with the free supercharging and have never charged it at home, despite having 40 Amp chargers at both our houses.

We line in MA - home charging is .34c/kwh no off-peak.

I have my laptop always with me and unlimited tethering, so there is zero wanted time.

If I lived where off-peak was like .07c I might think differently.

 

[Crissa]

We choose to charge at peak rates because of our work schedule and activities for the kids.

That seems like a choice.

Off peak I think is 10pm-6am or something like that and those hours would definitely make it inconvenient.

PG&E's offpeak is midnight to 4pm; and then some versions have a midpeak after 8pm or before 5pm.

Like I said, there are different plans to have.

And in California, your landlord cannot stop you from installing a charger; they have to allow it (given you follow code and carry basic renters insurance).

-Crissa

 

[Hookalakupua]

That seems like a choice.


PG&E's offpeak is midnight to 4pm; and then some versions have a midpeak after 8pm or before 5pm.

Like I said, there are different plans to have.

And in California, your landlord cannot stop you from installing a charger; they have to allow it (given you follow code and carry basic renters insurance).

-Crissa

Yes, that’s correct. Hence the reason I said “we choose.”

I think something is lost in translation. I’ve only been speaking to off peak hours at superchargers since at home charging doesn’t apply to us.

Very aware of California laws in regard to rental installation of chargers. Unfortunately, the cost of installation, along with the ever increasing cost of electricity from PG&E and due to a few other uncertainties, keeps installation an economical no-go.

Free supercharging is what’s best for us at this current time and it’s worked out brilliantly thus far.

Thanks for the input and hope you’re able to get yours soon.

Cheers

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