I don't buy the argument that this is about lowering the price on the Model S/X by $2,000. That's simply an excuse. Good one Tesla, wink, wink, But let's look at this logically people. This is the start of no more "free supercharging for life of the vehicle" (for
long distance travel only -- as if they could ever enforce that part!) so they must ease us out of this model. Why? Because this model no longer makes sense. Why? Because we will soon see used Model S's fall below $25k once the Model 3 comes out (with used X's to follow -- longer after, of course, but we must look to the future here) and it won't be long until you get a 2012 60 S with high mileage but free supercharging for $25k and lower, especially when comparing it to a new Model 3. Isn't it now patently obvious that Tesla simply can't continue to pump out vehicles with free SC for life because it will be very appealing to people with superchargers down the street, around the corner, etc. as they build more and more, to buy a used Model S for $25k or lower and never pay a dime to drive? And that's not too far off. So they need to limit the used vehicles that can do this, and this is start. In a couple of years or less, supercharger credits will be the only option for new S and X vehicles and it will be the only option for every Model 3 vehicle made.
So, you say, why not "free only for the original purchaser of the vehicle". Because that's a headache in reality. Tesla would then have to track the sale of its vehicles to turn it off, plus how do you determine the price for that? So I think Tesla has ruled it out.
It's just my opinion, but please feel free to flame me and dislike it. It's more fun when people say I'm out to lunch than when they agree with me. Especially since I can come back here and I said I told you so. (Well, except when I said AP 2.0 would be out by the end of 2015!).
Once you negotiate the space, install the transformer and charging equipment, it's almost "free" to add another plug. Right now, the only Supercharger sites where I regularly see lots of cars are in California. For the rest of the country, I'm usually alone.
Not true, in Canada at least. I know for a fact that parking lot owners who lease to Tesla get a monthly fee from Tesla for every single space, but that's probably nominal compared to the power that Tesla pays for. Adding superchargers to existing sites are not "almost free" at all. Tesla has to pay for the rent and power, not to mention maintenance and upkeep. And when you say it's only California that's busy, you're just looking at the future of Tesla for everywhere else, today.
Supercharger credits are not only coming for the Model 3 - they are coming as the only option for all Tesla vehicles.