Tesla has introduced Energy Boost, a software upgrade that adds up to 50 miles (80 km) of driving range for the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) in the U.S., starting from $1,000. The upgrade is not available for Canadian owners of the Model Y RWD.
In a post by Tesla North America on X (formerly Twitter), the company announced that owners of the discontinued entry-level Model Y RWD can now enhance their vehicle’s range. The Energy Boost upgrade offers 30 miles (48 km) more between charges for $1,000, while $1,600 will unlock 50 miles. Which option appears for owners will depend on the battery type in your vehicle, Elon Musk stated on X.
Model Y RWD owners might be surprised to find that Energy Boost costs less than Musk initially indicated. Earlier this year, Musk posted on X that it could cost as much as $2,000.
The additional range is enabled through a software unlock that can be purchased via the Tesla mobile app. The upgrade is applied through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, bringing the driving range close to the new entry-level Model Y Long Range RWD, which boasts a range of 320 miles (515 km) on a full charge.
However, the upgrade is limited to the U.S. market. Canadian Model Y RWD owners will not receive Energy Boost, as the version sold in Canada uses a different type of battery (LFP) compared to the previous Model Y RWD in the U.S.
Tesla has been testing an upgraded Model Y, but the company has cautioned that the ‘Project Juniper’ update will not be released this year.