Couldn't Tesla capture the VIN as soon as the car is plugged into a SC and if the owner lives (based on their profile ZIP Code) within an announced mile range, be sent a note if that owner appears to be abusing their SC privileges?
It is more detailed than the VIN, as Tesla knows where, when and how much you charge every time and everyday!! And that I'm aware, there is nothing you can do to stop them from getting that data.
IMHO,
There are 3 reason to drive your Tesla: Business (necessity/convenience), Commute for Employment and Personal/Pleasure.
Business Use: Logic must tell us that Tesla cannot use its profits and expenditures to subsidize someone using a Tesla in a Business venture, buy way of the supercharger network usage, daily or otherwise.
Commute: Like wise, someone that has an earned income and chooses to commutes to their employment is reasonably expected to pay the daily cost of that commute regardless of where they live, the method and distance of their choosing. Can the employer compensate an employee for their commute cost and/or install a charging station? Certainly, however that is part of an employer's business decision and the employee's compensation.
However, the Tesla community and Investors should not be an unwilling part of that employees compensation.
Personal/Pleasure use: I surmise this is the only legitimate use for the Supercharger Network as associated with the Tesla advertised 'Free for Life for Ownership' and 'Long-distance travel'.
You will have your own opinions and draw your own conclusions.
How will Tesla know where and when I charge!!
From the Owners Manual: "
This vehicle is equipped with electronic modules that monitor and record data from various vehicle systems, including the motor, Battery, braking and electrical systems. The electronic modules record information about various driving and vehicle conditions, including braking, acceleration, trip and other related information regarding your vehicle. These modules also record information about the vehicle’s features such as charging events and status, the enabling/disabling of various systems, diagnostic trouble codes, VIN, speed, direction and location. The data is stored by the vehicle and may be accessed, used and stored by Tesla service technicians during vehicle servicing or periodically transmitted to Tesla wirelessly through the vehicle’s telematics system.
From my perspective it is more about Tesla growing the brand and staying profitable than hurting the feeling of a few that abuse the privilege, when they believe they should be able to use the Supercharger Network everyday for any reason and they are told they can't.
Is Tesla concerned about the Supercharger Network roll-out and cost?
From the Tesla Annual Report, DECEMBER 31, 2014:
"We may not realize the benefits of our Supercharger network, which could harm our business, brand and operating results.
We continue to deploy Tesla Superchargers in the United States, Europe and Asia. Tesla Superchargers are a network of charging stations designed to provide fast-charge capability to owners of Model S vehicles with the Supercharging option. We intend to expand the Tesla Supercharger network throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, but we may be unable to do so due to a number of factors, including the inability to secure, or delays in securing, suitable locations and permits, problems negotiating leases with landowners or obtaining required permits for such locations, difficulties in interfacing with the infrastructures of various utility companies and greater than expected costs and difficulties of installing, maintaining and operating the network.
We may also be unable to expand the Supercharger network as fast as we intend or as the public expects, or to place the charging stations in places our customers believe to be optimal. Furthermore, even where Superchargers exist, the increasing number of Model S vehicles as well as future vehicles such as Model X may oversaturate the available charging bays at such Superchargers, leading to increased wait times and dissatisfaction for customers. In addition, as we have announced that we will not be charging our customers to access this network in addition to what they have already paid for their vehicles, any significant unexpected costs that we encounter will entirely be borne by us and may harm our operating results. Although our Supercharger network is intended to address customer concerns regarding long-distance travel, this network may not result in increased reservations or sales of Model S or future vehicles like Model X. If our Supercharger network is not expanded as currently planned or as quickly as planned, we may not realize the benefits of our Supercharger network and our business and operating results could be materially affected. "
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