Yahoo Finance $270 charger sold separately: Tesla decision sparks outrage
Tesla customers will now have to pay extra for a mobile charging connector when they buy one of the company’s electric vehicle models.
In a move reminiscent of power packs and headphones disappearing from new Apple iPhone purchases, Tesla mobile charging stations will now be sold separately, for around $270 (USD$200) a pop.
According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the company dumped the policy because not enough drivers were using them.
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“Usage statistics were super low, so [it] seemed wasteful,” Musk said.
The low usage figures have been disputed by Teslascope, a service that collects data on Tesla vehicles.
It found 61 per cent of charging sessions used the mobile connector compared to 32 per cent with the wall charger.
We're a bit perplexed by Elon's statement regarding the removal of the Mobile Connector cable with new vehicles.
While our own data is, by far, not as detailed as Tesla's, it shows a different story. 📊
61% of sessions were with the mobile connector.
32% used the wall charger. pic.twitter.com/PoN91RYzsz— Teslascope (@teslascope) April 16, 2022
Customers aren’t happy
The decision has sparked outrage, prompting the company to drop the price of the charger to USD$200 from USD$275.
Based on feedback received, we will drop mobile connector price to $200 & make it easy to order with car.
Note, mobile connector is not needed if you have a Tesla wall connector or to use Superchargers.
Recommend installing Tesla wall connector well before car arrives.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 17, 2022
Some customers complained that the chargers were often sold out, while others argued it added a layer of inconvenience to electric vehicle ownership.
The @Tesla mobile charger is a necessity, not an accessory.
— Blake Check 🇺🇦 (@TheBlakeCheck) April 16, 2022
“I will show you @elonmusk 🤬😡
At least these come with a mobile charger, lumbar support, and all of the great things you removed from my Tesla”
*places deposit for vehicle shipping in 2024*
*Puts on clown make up* pic.twitter.com/GthWsf2NkC— 4X Mil Mile Battery ~ Ryan (@MilMileBattery) April 17, 2022
In case, like me, you're curious which EVs include a level 1 charger?
Audi ✅
BMW ✅
Chevrolet ✅
Ford ✅
GMC ✅
Hyunda ✅
Jaguar ✅
Kia ✅
Lucid ✅
Mazda ✅
Mercedes ✅
Mini ✅
Nissan ✅
Polestar ✅
Porsche ✅
Rivian ✅
Tesla ❌
Toyota ✅
Volkswagen ✅
Volvo ✅
Cool. 🙄— Colin Calvert (@colincalvert) April 16, 2022
Despite the backlash, Tesla has not wavered on its decision and will not deliver the mobile connector with new vehicles ordered after April 17.
Undeterred by the charger issue? You’ll still be waiting ages for a Tesla, with the EVs taking as long as eight months to arrive.
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