Tesla returns unlimited supercharging for Model S and X – TechCrunch

Tesla restores a popular advantage that CEO Elon Musk once called "unsustainable" as it tries to increase sales of the more expensive electric vehicles.

Tesla announced on Saturday that all new Model S sedans and Model X SUVs will have free unlimited access to the network of electric vehicle chargers known as superchargers.

The move comes on the heels of a second quarter with greater than expected $ 408 million loss despite record deliveries of its electric vehicles.

The carmaker reported in July that it delivered a record 95,200 of its electric vehicles in the second quarter, a dramatic return from a disappointing first period. The company generated $ 6.3 billion in sales in the second quarter from sales, the bulk of which came from lower margin and less expensive Model 3 cars.

Meanwhile, sales of Model S and Model X have slowed. Of its 95,200 deliveries, only 1[ads1]7,650 were Model S and X vehicles. Tesla does not distinguish shipping and production figures for S and X.

In its early days, free unlimited supercharging was part of the package of buying a Tesla vehicle.

Tesla began discontinuing free unlimited access to the supercharger network when it announced that customers who purchase cars after January 1, 2017 will have 400 kilowatt-hours, or approximately 1,000 miles, of free charging each year. When the owners exceed this amount, they will be charged a small fee.

Tesla then restricted the free unlimited access to superchargers through a referral program and only to buyers of performance versions of Model S, Model X and Model 3. The free unlimited The supercharger referral program is now set for the end of September 18.

Musk has brought back the benefits several times since doing sales.

It is unclear how long this last offer will last. The company has been dealing with pricing structure, vehicle configurations and rewards programs, with monthly changes.