It varies by tesla model and comes from how the car was EPA certified. If it was certified with the plate holder on it, they are required to deliver it that way and you the owner can remove it. If it was not, it's optional. Now if a service center wants to 'wink wink' take it off for cars that were EPA certified with it, that's their business and corporate better not hear of it. I am not current on which year/model cars were certified with the plate holder installed.