Tesla will charge Model Y owners to unlock extra range as it brings 320-mile RWD version to the US

Tesla has finally launched a new RWD Model Y with the longest range in the US at a price of $44,990 before the $7,500 federal tax credit, or $3,000 less than the Long Range AWD version.

This fresh version, however, doesn't carry the new $2,000 Quicksilver color option that Tesla now offers for the more expensive models in the US

It's also still not the cheapest-to-drive RWD Model Y that was released in Europe with 600km (373 miles) range estimate not long ago. Tesla boasted that it features the best energy efficiency in its class, as it only consumes 14.9 kWh/100 km, or about 23.8 kWh/100 miles. That one, however, is powered by LFP cells and wouldn't qualify for the federal ta credit, so Tesla settled for the middle ground.

As if to compensate those who bought the previous base RWD version that maxed out at 260 miles on a charge, Elon Musk said that Tesla will allow them to unlock up to 60 miles of extra range from their existing Model Y, for a price.

Apparently, the owners of the previous Model Y RWD will be able to pay between $1,500-$2.000 and Tesla will lift the precautionary locks on their battery capacity to add between 40-60 extra miles of range.

Elon Musk claimed that the pay-to-unlock option depends on the type of battery that is in the 260-mile Model Y and will only come to cars built "over the past several months" which explains a lot of things.

Back in October 2023, Tesla launched a base Model Y that some suspected to feature the same nickel battery from the Long Range version, based on its charging curves and vehicle weight.

Instead of slowing down to a trickle after 80% charge shown on the meter, for instance, the RWD Model Y in the US charged at the whopping 35kW rate at 99% still. This goes to show that it might simply be the battery pack from the Model Y LR software limited to an 80% charge.

This limit certainly has its advantages in terms of battery longevity and safety, so Elon Musk cited unnamed "regulatory" hurdles that Tesla is now overcoming to bring the $2,000 range unlock to the Model Y masses. When asked why is Tesla starting a pay-to-unlock range scheme now, Elon Musk honestly answered that "we have to pay the bills somehow."

Get the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector with 24' cable on Amazon