Tesla will limit use of fast charging EV stations for new cars in 2017

CaliforniaGeo 11-10-16

Tesla Motors will cease unlimited, free fast-charging for any of its cars ordered or sold after of January 1, 2017.  After that, such cars will receive credit at charging stations for the equivalent of 1,000 miles of travel each year. 

Tesla Model S “plugged in” at a Tesla Charging Station

This change is likely due to anticipated production of Tesla’s Model 3, a $35,000 car with 300,000 current paid customer reservations.  Tesla has stimulated Model S sales with continuing free charging and anticipates continuing strong sales via its 30% of the electric vehicle market.

It appears that the electric economy is gaining strength, and  won’t be a disappearing “blip” in vehicle history.  And with 90% of owners charging at home, the reduced

Distribution of Tesla Supercharging stations (2016)

allowances at fast-charging stations wouldn’t seem to dampen sales prospects.  Tesla intends to keep prices low enough to stay under the cost of a gasoline vehicle’s fill-up for the same trip distance. 

A growing number of electric car owners are also solar photovoltaic, net energy metered customers with their electric utility, so some of them have a chance to drive their EV (electric vehicle) for free with electrons captured at home.

Let’s not forget that the Honda Smart House, completed in 2014 in Davis, California was a prototype for carbonless, all-electric, zero net energy living using solar PV, a geothermal heat pump, a home battery system and an EV for transportation.

—Bill Martin