After a tough quarter, Tesla is now offering six months of free supercharging for all new Model 3 and Model Y orders that get delivered by the end of the year in North America.
Tesla is gearing up for another “end of quarter push,” attempting to boost sales before the quarter and year close out.
It has already discounted new vehicle inventory by up to $3,000, but now it’s offering another incentive for new buyers: free supercharging.
According to Tesla’s website, you can now get six months of free supercharging if you buy and take delivery of a Model 3 or Model Y by December 31, 2023.
There are some restrictions here, though the most interesting one is that Tesla says it can remove your benefit “in the event of excessive charging.” We’ve previously seen Tesla be a little capricious about benefits like these, so any wiggle room it gives itself should be taken with some skepticism.
This is a relatively common incentive for Tesla to offer and has been a standard “demand lever” in Tesla’s quiver for previous end of quarter pushes. It’s also currently offering a transfer of free unlimited supercharging from vehicles that still have that legacy benefit as long as they purchase a new vehicle by the end of this year.
Last quarter, Tesla had a tough one, missing on both revenue and earnings. So, it’s looking for incentives to boost sales and finish out the year strong.
At the beginning of this quarter, Tesla slashed lease pricing for the Model 3 and Y and also announced that it expects to lose half of the US federal EV tax credit on the Model 3 by the end of the year.
These are all good reasons to take delivery soon – but then there’s the competing incentive that the much-improved Model 3 Highland should be coming to North America at the beginning of next year, so some buyers might want to wait for the latest and greatest. However, that doesn’t apply to the Model Y, which isn’t getting a refresh anytime soon.
Electrek’s Take
Free supercharging incentives work well because new EV buyers can compare it to their current monthly cost of gas and imagine rather large savings – even though most EV charging is much cheaper than gas and happens at home. But for those who can’t charge at home or who might not have their charging situation figured out right when they get their EV, a few months of free supercharging can be a great bonus to start off the ownership experience right.
And it’s an easy, low-cost way for Tesla to get people in the door, so that’s nice.
But as for other things that are easy, low-cost ways to incent people to buy your cars, perhaps Tesla should attempt the tried-and-true method of not having your CEO loudly spread Nazi conspiracy theories. I know it sounds crazy, but maybe it’s worth a go.
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It’s been a big day for big reveals with the all-new Volvo ES90, a new compact electric city car from Volkswagen, plus a pair of new, over-the-top EVs from General Motors that perfectly exemplify American excess. All this and maybe the dawn of the long-awaited “Tesla Killer” on today’s revealing episode of Quick Charge!
GM is practically daring the competition to build a bigger, badder EV with a new, bigger $133,000 Cadillac Escalade and 1,100 hp off-road special in the form of the new Chevrolet Silverado EV ZR2. Finally, you guys are never happy … try to enjoy this episode, anyway!
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.
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Tesla is going to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston, according to a tax abatement agreement with Waller County.
At the time of writing, Tesla had yet to comment on the new project, but the Waller County Commissioners Court confirmed the project on Wednesday when they approved a tax abatement deal with the company:
Under the proposed agreement, Tesla will receive tax abatements from Waller County based on property improvements. The deal includes $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in Tesla manufacturing equipment that Tesla will install. The next phase involves a new $31 million distribution facility with about $2 million in Tesla distribution equipment and building upgrades.
Tesla is going to take over a 1-million-sq-ft building that it already held the lease on at the Empire West industrial park near Katy, Texas – just outside of Houston.
Logistics company DB Schenker occupied the space where it handled parts for Tesla, but it will move out and Tesla plans to build Megapack production lines at the site:
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Tesla will operate a new Megapack battery storage manufacturing facility at a 1 million-square-foot building, which was initially constructed with no tenant on speculation that it would attract jobs and economic development.
Tesla has previously referred to plants producing Megapacks as “Megafactory”. The company already operates one in Lathrop, California, and one in Shanghai, China, where it just started production.
Those factories are set up for a production capacity of 40 GWh worth of Megapacks per year.
It’s not clear if Tesla plans for a similar capacity at this new factory, but the county announced project should result in creating 1,500 jobs.
In addition to the existing building, the project will include the construction of an additional “600,000-square-foot distribution facility with some manufacturing capabilities.”
Genesis is gearing up to unleash its alter ego with its upcoming Magma lineup, its debut into the world of high-performance luxury vehicles. First up is the Genesis GV60 Magma, due out later this year. As testing wraps up, the GV60 Magma was spotted alongside none other than the Porsche Taycan.
The first dedicated Genesis EV model, the GV60, will kick off another new chapter for the Korean luxury automaker.
Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma last March, claiming it will kick off “the brand’s expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.” The performance EV includes an improved battery, chassis, and motor for added performance.
The Magma model boasts a wider, lower stance for more control. Other key upgrades include a wider front air intake to help cool the batteries, motor, and brakes. It also includes air curtains to maximize efficiency and an added roof fin channels air to the rear wing, generating downward force.
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Genesis upgraded the interior to match the GV60 Magma’s luxurious, sporty design. It includes unique sports car-like bucket seats with exclusive “double-diamond stitching” in the Magma orange and titanium coloring.
Genesis GV60 Magma spotted with the Porsche Taycan
With its official debut coming up, the sporty Genesis GV60 Magma was spotted testing alongside a Porsche Taycan and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 N models.
Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia reveals a few new design elements, like the two-line headlight featured on the updated GV60 model.
Genesis GV60 testing alongside a Porsche Taycan, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N (Source: CarSpyMedia)
Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma later this year in its home market, followed by the US, Europe, and others. Production is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2025.
Will the Genesis GV60 Magma keep up with the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid? Priced and specs will be revealed closer to launch, but it will sit above the Performance AWD trim, which starts at $69,900 in the US. With up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
Horsepower
0 to 60 mph (seconds)
Starting Price
Genesis GV60 Performance
429
3.7
$69,900
Genesis GV60 Magma
?
?
?
Porsche Taycan
402
4.5
$99,400
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (with Weissach Package)
1,092
2.1
$230,000
Tesla Model S Plaid
1,020
1.99
$89,990
Genesis GV60 Magma vs Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S Plaid
In comparison, the Porsche Taycan starts at $99,400 with up to 402 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.5 seconds. The Taycan Turbo GT, equipped with its Weissach package, packs 1,092 hp for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 2.1 seconds, but it costs $230,000.
Tesla’s Model S Plaid starts at $79,990 and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with 1,020 horsepower. Which performance EV are you choosing?