Tesla Referral Program gets revamp – but still only for solar, so far
Tesla has revamped its referral program in North America, shifting to a system allowing current Tesla owners to use their Tesla referral code to earn “loyalty points” that can be spent on various Tesla products.
The newest iteration referral program gives “credits” to both the buyer and referrer of a product, with a scaling amount of credits depending on the product purchased. The credits are only given to both buyer and referrer if the buyer is not a current Tesla customer – if they are a current customer, then they will earn their own “loyalty credits” but won’t be able to use a referral code.
Tesla’s referral program page lays out the specifics, with further information available in the Tesla app’s “loot box” section.
So far, the only products that qualify for credits are Tesla solar panels and the Tesla solar roof, both of which give 6,000 credits each.
The page does say “earn credits upon delivery of your car or activation of your solar system,” which suggests that cars may be added to the page at some point. We’re not sure how many credits they will generate if they do get added to the program. While Tesla’s referral program was ended last year for cars, cash rewards for solar referrals continued and were active up until yesterday, when Tesla revamped the program to give out credits instead of cash.
Those credits can then be spent on other Tesla products, though they expire after 12 months if not spent. The products are a selection from those on Tesla’s online shop, including both useful accessories for Tesla owners and some of the more “meme” products like Tesla’s short shorts or bizarre sipping glasses.
Here’s a complete list of products available:
- Wall Connector – 6,000 credits / J1772 Wall Connector – 11,000 credits
- Tesla CCS Combo 1 Adapter – 5,000 credits
- 2,000 Supercharger Miles – 4,800 credits
- Model X/3/S/Y Pet Liner – 2,900 credits
- Tesla Sipping Glasses – 1,750 credits
- Tesla Short Shorts – 1,469 credits
- Hoodie – 2,000 credits
- License plate frame – 800 credits
- Wall connector faceplate – 1,500 credits
- Various T-shirts – 700 credits each
The prices don’t seem to map proportionally to the prices of the real-life items (for example, the Wall Connector is $400, and J1772 Wall Connector is $550), but it looks like the value of a single solar roof referral is about the same as it was in the previous version of the program – in the range of a few hundred dollars.
We’ve expected something to happen with the referral program for a little while now, reporting last year that Tesla was considering changes to the program and then finding out last month that Tesla had updated the mobile app with new referral program info.
Last month, Tesla launched a new “points rewards” program in China, which turns out to be very similar to these new changes to the referral program. China also gets quarterly and annual raffles, which seem to be missing from the North American program. And Europe does not seem to have a similar referral program update as of this moment.
Tesla originally spawned the referral program after requests from Tesla fans who wanted to be rewarded for the number of friends they had converted to driving electric. In the early days of Tesla and EVs, word of mouth from EV fans was very effective at selling cars, particularly given the number of questions that prospective buyers might have about a new technology.
The referral program started off with $1,000 in “Tesla credits” for each use of an owner’s Tesla referral code. Those credits could be used on service and Tesla products, and then later Tesla started to offer various prizes like wall connectors, wheel sets, Tesla-branded luggage, and even sending your photos into space. It was modified many times, but eventually got a little out of control and Tesla killed off the program after they ended up promising over 80 next-gen Roadsters to top referrers.
The program was then scaled back to offer 1,000 free Supercharger miles to buyers and referrers, and most recently only consisted of a cash reward for solar roof referrals.
As of now, it looks like Tesla has mostly just modified the existing program of cash rewards for solar installations, but it’s clear that they have more planned given the “car” verbiage on their referral pages.
Electrek’s Take
This is interesting timing, considering Tesla has recently drastically scaled back its solar operation. We’ve received several reports of projects being cancelled and Tesla claiming they are shutting down operations, even in some popular markets, just in the last few weeks. So it seems like an odd time to revamp a system for solar referrals.
But this isn’t just about solar, is it? It seems clear that the program is intended to include cars at some point; they’re just not on there yet.
The introduction of the referral program in China coincided with a price drop in the region, suggesting that Tesla was looking to shore up demand after a few years of continual price hikes across the lineup and around the globe.
While we haven’t seen a price drop in the US (and don’t necessarily expect one), this could still be a way that Tesla is prepping to shore up demand on certain products, by adding them to the referral program when or if they see a need.
As for how we feel about it – this does seem a little more robust than the previous programs. Instead of a maze of ever-changing prize tiers, some of which were worth large amounts and took forever to deliver and some of which never materialized, we now have a clearer list of readily available products that have some monetary value but not enough to make referrers feel like total shills when recommending Tesla vehicles.
One of the issues with the original program, in my mind, was that it turned previously innocent EV evangelism into a method for personal profit, thus making it seem that word-of-mouth advocacy was being done for monetary gain, rather than honest recommendations from EV fans. It threatened to make EV fans seem like commissioned car salesman rather than genuine and honest advocates.
Now, there’s still a sense of monetary gain here, but it’s more like a perk – a few T-shirts, some supercharger miles, or a spare charging connector for each use of a referral code. It’s not as overwhelming as the idea that someone could earn a several thousand dollar Powerwall system or potentially even a supercar after hawking a Tesla to their friends.
So it seems like an improvement, but we’ll have to wait to see how it all shakes out, and whether Tesla adds other products to the program.
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Luxury is a tough concept to pin down, but being constantly connected to work, kids, and telemarketers ain’t it. Genesis gets it, and its latest ultra-luxe off-road concept ditches screens in favor of the view out the windshield – and it’s got enough off-road chops to promise two things about those views: they’re real, and they’re spectacular!
Genesis calls its new X Gran Equator concept an elegant overlander for the modern explorer that marries on-road sophistication with off-road resilience. Whatever they call it, the 4×4’s dashboard is delightfully free from sweeping touchscreens, mood lighting, and any hint of telephonic integration.
Indeed, the interior looked so much like something from the 90s that I double and triple-checked the date on the press release. But don’t take my word for it, check it for yourself.
It’s fantastic
If you zoom in, you can see screens in the instruments. High-definition roll and pitch displays, altimeters, and probably other outdoorsy, overland-y things that the sort of people who want to do that in what would surely be a very well-appointed six-figure SUV for a similarly very well-heeled buyer.
And that buyer? They wouldn’t miss the screen, because the screen doesn’t matter. The real show is out the front windshield – and if someone from the office calls to interrupt the vibe, you won’t even know. I know I’d pay extra for that … and I can’t imagine I’m alone.
This is how Genesis explains it:
Inside, the X Gran Equator Concept orchestrates contrast between analog architecture and digital technologies, crafting a space that feels both functional and evocative. At the center of the cabin is a four-circle display cluster on the center stack, inspired by the vintage camera dials. The interior design features contrasting colors and shapes, with a preference for geometric over organic elements. The dashboard’s linear architecture and absence of decorations focus the driver’s attention on the journey, while swiveling front seats and modular storage solutions enhance practicality.
Genesis didn’t provide pictures of those swiveling seats or modular storage compartments on this concept, but the X Gran Equator Concept will make its in-person debut April 18th at the Genesis booth during the 2025 New York International Auto Show.
After the show, the company will move the concept to a display at Genesis House New York in the Meatpacking District, where it will stay “in residence” until the end of July. If you’re out that way for either event, take a picture of it and tag Electrek on Instagram!
Genesis X Gran Equator photo gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: Genesis.
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The new-for-2025 Honda P7 electric SUV officially went on sale earlier today with 469 hp and more than 650 km (403 miles) of range from its 89.8-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery … and you won’t believe the price!
First shown as a concept at the launch of Honda’s Ye brand a year ago, today. Ye is a joint venture between Honda and local automakers Dongfeng, who build the brand’s S7 model, and GAC, which helped develop the mechanically similar P7 that just went on sale.
And, by “similar,” I mean really, really similar. The AWD version of the new Honda P7 offers up to 620 km (385 miles) of CLTC-rated range, while the RWD can go 650 km (403 miles), which are identical figures to the S7. Even the crossover’s dimensions, at 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall with a 2,930 mm wheelbase, are identical.
Even the interiors – which are fantastic, by the way, with an innovative mix of screens, buttons, and super-slick sideview monitors – are tough to tell apart.
Honda Ye EV interior(s)
So, how can you tell the P7 apart from its S7 sibling? The P7 has C-shaped lighting elements that are distinctive from the S7’s X-shaped lights. The end result is a face that reads a bit more “Honda” to me, but that may or may not be a good thing in the Chinese market.
Pricing for the new Honda P7 starts at 199,900 yuan (about $27,200) for the two wheel drive variant, and is also offered with all-wheel drive for 249,900 yuan (about $34,000, as I type this), complete with the sort of advanced ADAS features you have to pay good money to supervise here in the US. That pricing makes both P7 models significantly less expensive that the what the company thought would be the vehicle’s main competitor, the Tesla Model Y.
The world has changed a lot since then however – and whether or not the Model Y is still considered a serious rival remains to be seen.
If you’re in the mood to check out an all-electric Honda in the US, click here to set up a test drive and explore local deals on a new Prologue. In the meantime, I invite you to take a look at some of the press photos of the new P7, below, then let us know what you think in the comments.
P7 image gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: Honda; via Paul Tan.
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Kia just pulled the cover off its all-new 2026 EV4 today at the New York International Auto Show, marking the automaker’s first global all-electric sedan.
With a sleek design and practical features, Kia is clearly aiming to offer a compelling, affordable alternative to the flood of electric SUVs on the market.
The Kia EV4, set to hit US roads in early 2026, will be available in three trims – Light, Wind, and the sportier GT-Line.
Exterior and interior
Built on Kia’s 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV4 sedan sports a distinctive low, aerodynamic profile with a sporty fastback roofline. The front showcases vertical LED headlights paired with Kia’s signature Star Map lighting and a modernized version of Kia’s Tiger Face grille.
Around back, vertical taillights and a two-piece spoiler emphasize the sedan’s sporty stance. Buyers can choose between standard 17-inch aero wheels or the 19-inch wheels exclusive to the GT-Line trim.
Inside, Kia’s EV4 emphasizes comfort, convenience, and spaciousness. A modern, open cockpit features high-quality materials, a two-spoke steering wheel, and an available 64-color ambient lighting system. With ample passenger room and cargo space, the EV4 balances practicality with a sleek, contemporary feel.
Powertrain and performance
The EV4 comes with two battery options: a 58.3 kWh pack delivering about 235 miles of range (standard on the Light trim), or a larger 81.4 kWh pack good for around 330 miles (Wind and GT-Line trims). Both models feature a 150 kW front-mounted electric motor.
Charging won’t slow you down: Kia estimates a 10-to-80% DC fast charge takes just 29 minutes for the smaller battery and 31 minutes for the larger. The EV4 comes with a standard NACS charging port and is on the front passenger side.
This Kia sedan has a drag coefficient as low as 0.23 Cd. Its updated i-Pedal 3.0 system offers smooth one-pedal driving, even in reverse and adaptive regenerative braking. Additionally, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability means your EV4 can power everyday devices like laptops or camping gear.
A tech-loaded interior
The EV4 features nearly 30 inches of combined widescreen displays. Personalization is easy, including themed interfaces and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Kia’s Digital Key 2.0 lets drivers manage locks, start the climate control remotely, and access other vehicle functions via smartphone. And Kia’s built-in AI Assistant ensures natural, responsive interactions, adding another convenience layer.
Comfort isn’t an afterthought, either. Dual-zone automatic climate control, available heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and acoustic windshield glass round out the premium feel.
Advanced driver-assist technology
The EV4 is equipped with Highway Driving Assist as standard, which automatically adjusts the vehicle’s set speed to match the posted speed limit (if initially set to the speed limit) and maintains distance from the vehicle in front.
Standard Hands-On Detection helps ensure drivers stay engaged by monitoring steering-wheel grip, enhancing safety on longer trips.
Other available features include Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, and Lane Following Assist. Optional Remote Smart Parking Assist simplifies parking in tight spots.
Look for the Kia EV4 sedan to reach US dealers in early 2026.
Read more: Kia EV Day 2025 recap: EV4 is coming to US, plus an up-close look at the EV2 and PV5 [Video]
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