Tesla backpedals on Supercharger rate increase

Tesla has reversed its decision to increase Supercharging rates, announced earlier this week, cutting the increase by 10 per cent globally.

Earlier this week The Driven shared information released by the EV maker that it would be increasing the Australian per kWh rate from 35 cents to 47 cents, in effect costing owners of 100D Model S and X electric cars $12 more to charge their car batteries from 0-100 per cent.

However Tesla has now said that the new rate in Australia will be 42 cents per kilowatt hour, that is, a $7 increase for 100kWh batteries.

The EV maker has informed The Driven that it listens to drivers of its electric cars, and takes customer feedback seriously.

The new rate is now reflected on the Tesla website.

The EV maker has previously stated that its goal is to continue growing its supercharging network, and that as far as its infrastructure goes, it’s not about making money.

“As our fleet grows, we continue to open new Supercharger locations weekly so more drivers can travel long distances at a fraction of the cost of gasoline and with zero emissions. As has always been the case, Supercharging is not meant to be a profit center for Tesla,” Tesla wrote in an email.

The reason given for the increase was to “reflect differences in local electricity costs and site usage.”

In addition to the change in charging rates, Tesla is dropping its referral program which gives referrers and new buyers 6 months free charging.

The reason for dropping the referral program however is part of a wider plan to slash costs as the EV maker tightens its belt with staff cuts in a bid to deliver the $US35,000 Model 3.