Tesla offers Model Y owners paid range upgrade via software unlock

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Friday that recent Model Ys have a secret software-locked battery capacity, and pending regulatory approval, the company will unlock an additional 40–60 miles of range for $1,500 to $2,000.

The Standard Range rear-wheel drive Model Y, sold over the last few months with a 260-mile range, actually has more range than advertised. Tesla replaced it with a 320-mile version for an extra $2,000, now starting at $44,990, or $37,490 with the federal EV tax credit.

This isn't Tesla's first time using software locks; in 2016, it revealed the Model S 70 had a hidden 75kWh capacity. Other automakers like Polestar and Mercedes-Benz also offer over-the-air updates for a fee to unlock features like performance boosts.