Tesla CEO Elon Musk Admits Supercharging Won't Be A Freebie For $35,000 Model 3 EV
But Musk was a bit coy about Supercharging support for the Model 3. Model S and Model X owners have free access to Tesla’s nationwide charging network, and it was initially stated that the Model 3 would indeed support Supercharging. However, many have wondered if the mainstream EV would overrun Supercharger stations, creating lines of vehicles waiting to get their turn to recharge. It appears that Musk had those same concerns, as he’s clarifying the company’s position on Model 3 Supercharging.
To put it simply, you’re going to have to pay to play. At the company’s annual shareholder meeting, Musk explained:
Free supercharging fundamentally has a cost. The obvious thing to do is decouple that from the cost of the Model 3. So it will still be very cheap, and far cheaper than gasoline, to drive long-distance with the Model 3, but it will not be free long distance for life unless you purchase that package.
And with that, Tesla has found another way to make sure that not many people will opt for a bone stock $35,000 Model 3. And that also explains why Musk has stated that the average transaction price for the Model 3 is likely to be closer to $42,000 once customers start piling on options. No details were given on how much this “Supercharging Package” will cost, but we wouldn’t put it past Tesla to charge a few grand for the luxury.
Preorders for the Model 3 are currently approaching the 400,000 mark and production of the vehicle is scheduled to begin in late 2017.
