Electric vehicle giant Tesla has just launched its promised “Energy Boost” software unlock to recent owners of the Model Y RWD variant in the United States.
The Energy Boost offer
According to Tesla North America’s X post, the Energy Boost upgrade is now available to US-based Model Y RWD owners.
This new offer comes with two options: a $1,000 and a $1,600 upgrade. The lower-cost $1,000 upgrade can add up to 30 miles of driving range, while the $1,600 offer can deliver up to 50 miles of extra range to the Tesla Model Y RWD.
The disparity in the Energy Boost feature’s range and price is apparently due to the differences in the battery cell types.
How to access the upgrade?
Interested customers can simply access the new Energy Boost upgrade through an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
Tesla Model Y RWD owners can acquire the feature via the official Tesla App by navigating to Upgrades > Software Updates > Buy > Energy Boost. Once purchased, they can start the software update process.
Aligning with CEO Musk’s plans
In hindsight, Tesla Chief Elon Musk revealed in May 2024 that the “260 mile” driving range of the Model Y electric crossover could actually deliver greater driving range via an OTA update.
At the time, the Tesla boss said that the software unlocks will cost about $1500 to $2000 (gains 40 to 60 miles of range). The cost will depend on the battery cells of a certain unit.
“Working through regulatory approvals to enable this.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an X post on May 4
The Energy Boost feature aligns with CEO Musk’s plans to generate a new revenue stream for the company. Defending the paid software upgrade, Elon Musk answered in a May 2024 query that Tesla “have to pay the bills somehow” to operate.
Other available software upgrades for the Tesla Model Y include the Acceleration Boost for faster 0-60mph times and Full Self-Driving (FSD) upgrades.
