Tesla updates free lifetime Supercharging policy with Dec. 31 deadline

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Tesla has updated the terms for its “free for life” Supercharger policy, again, this time putting a deadline for unlimited Supercharging on future Model S or Model X purchases. According to the updated language found on the MyTesla page, first pointed out by redditor TeslaBargain, existing Model S and Model X owners are entitled to free, unlimited Supercharging on new Model S or Model X vehicles purchased before December 31, 2017.

“You have free, unlimited Supercharging for your current Tesla vehicle as well as any new Model S or Model X purchased before December 31, 2017. If you choose to sell your current Tesla, free Supercharging will transfer to the next owner. In addition, up to five friends you refer will also receive free Supercharging. Read our Supercharging terms.” reads the updated terms on Tesla’s website.

We’ve provided a before and after look at the Supercharging terms.

Supercharging language from May 20, 2017.

Updated language noted on  June 16, 2017.

Tesla had initially rolled out free lifetime Supercharging to all Model S and Model X buyers, but as demand for the fast-charging network began to exceed the amount of available Supercharger stalls at popular hot spots, Tesla began implementing a cap of 400 kWh of free Supercharger use per year on vehicles sold after January 15, 2017. The Silicon Valley-based electric car maker would also implement an “idle fee” to minimize Supercharger abuse.

In a show of good faith, Tesla would later grandfather new Model S and Model X buyers that did not originally qualify for free Supercharging with free access.

A Tesla spokesperson told Teslarati at the time (emphasis added):

“We heard from our customers that free, unlimited Supercharging was one of their favorite reasons to refer a friend to buy a Tesla, so we’re bringing it back for Model S and Model X owners through our referral program, which we update periodically. Beginning today, existing owners can give free, unlimited Supercharging to up to five friends by sharing their referral code, and all existing Tesla owners who purchase a new Model S or Model X will receive free, unlimited Supercharging too.”

In summary, and as it stands now, if you’re an existing Model S or Model X owner, future purchases made before the end of 2017 will qualify for free, unlimited Supercharging. If you’re a new buyer, being referred by an existing owner, your Model S or Model X will receive free lifetime Supercharger usage for long distance travel, but only if purchased through a referral code and the code has not been used more than 5 times.

Oh, and you also need to be a friend to the referral code giver that’s not a YouTuber.

Got all that?

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