Tesla is trying to boost its Model S sales before the year is out, but it’s got a funny way of doing it.
After initially abandoning its free Supercharging for life offer in 2018, the automaker is bringing it back for some Tesla Model S cars at the end of the year. It’s something of a gilded offer, though, since Tesla also just increased the price for the Model S by $5,000.
The Model S all-wheel drive version of the car now starts at $79,990, while the Plaid starts at $94,990.
Demand has steadily decreased for the pricey EV over the years. Tesla doesn’t break out its delivery numbers for the Model S, but Electrek estimates that in Q2, Tesla sold around 12,000 to 13,000 Model S EVs, down roughly 31-37% year-over-year. The blog also estimates that in the third quarter, Tesla sold roughly 10,000 Model S and Model X units, an all-time low.
It’s worth noting the free charging is only eligible while you own the vehicle, meaning you can’t transfer the offer; and taxi, ridehail, and delivery drivers are excluded from cashing in on those free charges.
