Website/Design Studio Update - Twin Chargers no longer available from factory

[MartinAustin]

Either way, they've removed the only way to get the 2nd charger for $1500 (i.e assembly line installation during manufacture), which is what was available last week. Now you have to pay $2000 for it.

Also the 5 "metallic" paint colours have gone up from $750 to $1000.

So, slight price increases. Hasn't been the first time!

I wonder if the 2nd charger will only get installed at the SC when it is delivered there for you? Seems like unnecessarily pushing work out to the SCs.

This is part of a configurator streamlining process that will make sense when the Model X configurator comes online. There's no need to include the HPWC on the car configurator, since it's not part of the car and works for both S & X.

Worth pointing out that the HPWC isn't a charger, it's just a power plug for the 80A that you provide at your home. Chargers are inside the car.

 

[ArtInCT]

I suspect that the dual charger option removal is yet another "simplification" to streamline the production process (although adding next gen seats to all models probably complicates things more). I recall overhearing quite a few time consuming conversations regarding the dual charger while I was at the Tesla Store. The explanation of the dual charger, the HPWC and the Supercharger appeared to bend a few minds who wanted it simple. If we can still get it then that is good via the SC add on route.

 

[MartinAustin]

...if the option has been selling poorly (for whatever reason) it would be consistent with Tesla's other streamlining moves to take it off the design studio page.

True.

I was also discouraged from ordering it by my TM specialist. But... I wanted the shortest possible charging times! I've never regretted spending the money on the 2nd charger, HPWC and extra wiring for my house.

 

[jkirkebo]

I'd guess they pushed this out to the service centers as part of delivery for those that want it. One less thing to deal with in manufacturing.

That doesn't make sense either. The Service Centers in Norway are all swamped, the waiting time for an appointment have now reached 5 months. Giving them yet more to do doesn't seem like a good option.

 

[jgs]

I was also discouraged from ordering it by my TM specialist. But... I wanted the shortest possible charging times! I've never regretted spending the money on the 2nd charger, HPWC and extra wiring for my house.

I ended up disregarding him and ordering it anyway, mostly as future-proofing (I did not wire my garage for 80A charging). I anticipated more HPWC destination chargers, and that does seem to be coming true, even in the interval between November and now. One hand, at an increment of only $500 over the factory price I've locked in, I likely would have skipped the dual option knowing I could fit it later. Other hand, I did lock in the lower price and I'm not crying about that.

- - - Updated - - -

Giving them yet more to do doesn't seem like a good option.

But it comes out of someone else's budget! (Joke! I think. At least, one hopes Tesla isn't run like that. Yet.)

 

[iadbound]

If dual chargers were not a particularly popular option, Tesla has only itself to blame. Indeed, Tesla seemed challenged to explain the benefits of dual chargers/wall connectors vis-a-vis the single charger. For that matter, I'm still surprised at how many people are confused by dual chargers and superchargers.

On another note, I'm surprised that there isn't more reaction to Navigation now being standard, but without a corresponding drop in the Tech package price.

Also, no reaction to the increase in interior trim costs?

 

[MartinAustin]

I'm still surprised at how many people are confused by dual chargers and superchargers.

One is AC charging and the other is DC charging... the Model S can do both, but I agree with you, they don't explain it very well.

 

[ArtInCT]

Yes well my Obeche Wood Decor went up $100 and the metallic paint (grey) went up $250. And in essence, the 2nd charger went up $500 (as an SC Accessory) for a total of $850 price increase for my future configuration. I wonder if there will be a TM Blog soon to discuss the change in the optional Second Charger?

 

[RiverBrick]

Is there any chance this could be a supply issue?

 

[liuping]

Maybe they are switching to a new charger that can do 20kW charging and the "upgrade" is just a software switch or very minor HW change, like changing jumpers?

That seem unlikely, but not entirely so.

 

[ecarfan]

Website/Design Studio Update - Twin Chargers no longer available

For my late 2013 S85 I got dual chargers and the HPWC and I'm glad I did (I put in a new 100A circuit for it so I get the full 80A). I like the faster charging rate at home and the possibility of getting it at some destinations.

I can understand why Tesla moved the Dual Charger option off the config page and into the Accessories section along with he HPWC since it is more of a nice to have "accessory" and not a fundamental part of the car.

Many people are confused about the use of the second charger and why it can be useful, and probably some Tesla salespeople could do a better job of explaining it.

 

[JST]

Interesting. After a bit more than a year, I still haven't been in a situation where I needed/could have used 80A charging. But with the price drop to only 2K, it's an accessory I might actually want to put in, particularly since the price drop on the HPWC led me to install one of those in January.

I don't understand the logic of not offering it on new builds, though. That's just odd, particularly since they probably make nearly as much on a 1500 on the line install as they would on a 2K accessory purchase, once you factor in logistics and so on.

 

[Zythryn]

Interesting. After a bit more than a year, I still haven't been in a situation where I needed/could have used 80A charging. But with the price drop to only 2K, it's an accessory I might actually want to put in, particularly since the price drop on the HPWC led me to install one of those in January.

I don't understand the logic of not offering it on new builds, though. That's just odd, particularly since they probably make nearly as much on a 1500 on the line install as they would on a 2K accessory purchase, once you factor in logistics and so on.

Speed of production.
Eliminating a low production option and moving it into the service centers allows for streamlining the production route.

The big question is how common or uncommon of a selection is it?

 

[fredag]

Not possible to order new cars with dual chargers anymore?

Looks like it isn't possible to order new cars with dual chargers anymore.

From a European point of view, this is disappointing, as 22kW AC charging stations are quite common here. While I don't use 22kW AC charging at home, I've used it quite often on trips. I've been REALLY happy with having this option.

For European cars, I'd rather advise Tesla to make dual chargers the default option. Having dual chargers makes for a much better experience on trips.

Also, with single chargers, you only get slooow 3.6kW (16A) when charging at 7.6kW (32A single phase) type2 outlets.

 

[FlasherZ]

It seems that Tesla is moving the second charger install to service center installation only; suspicion is that it streamlines the factory flow and allows for those who want it to get it at delivery time. Reportedly the cost went down from $3,600 to $2,000 for service-center installation, a bit more expensive than the original factory-installed price.

Some posts here as well, and I think another thread was called out too:
Supercharger or Mini Supercharger at home ?

 

[markb1]

Dual chargers are nice to have, but I haven't really taken advantage of mine since the first six months of owning the car, when superchargers were rare. 40A has been perfectly fine for home charging, and I'm pretty sure it would still be fine if I had an 85. I think the dual charger option is just becoming less and less useful, and selling that option must not be making Tesla much profit.

If charging away from home is important, and superchargers are not sufficient, you'll get more bang for your buck with the CHAdeMO adapter than the dual chargers.

 

[fredag]

It seems that Tesla is moving the second charger install to service center installation only; suspicion is that it streamlines the factory flow and allows for those who want it to get it at delivery time. Reportedly the cost went down from $3,600 to $2,000 for service-center installation, a bit more expensive than the original factory-installed price.

Some posts here as well, and I think another thread was called out too:
Supercharger or Mini Supercharger at home ?

Tesla is nearly doubling the price of getting the dual charger. Not cool.

Here in Norway, there's a 3-4 month wait for service appointments here. Having to wait 4 months for a dual charger on a new Tesla will be annoying. It will also add more work to already overloaded service centres in Norway.

Having to wait four hours longer than necessary to charge the car while on a road trip outside supercharged areas also isn't providing customers with the best possible user experience.

 

[RiverBrick]

...

If charging away from home is important, and superchargers are not sufficient, you'll get more bang for your buck with the CHAdeMO adapter than the dual chargers.

It depends where you live. For example, in many places in Canada there's no CHAdeMO, but many Suncountry (Clipper Creek) 70A-80A stations. What happens at a hotel when two Model S arrive at 8 pm and need to recharge by 10 am the following day? With dual chargers, there's no problem servicing both vehicles with a sole 80A unit. However, with a 40A limit one car might need the station for 11 hours (service will usually be at only ~200V).

 

[Saghost]

Tesla is nearly doubling the price of getting the dual charger. Not cool.

Here in Norway, there's a 3-4 month wait for service appointments here. Having to wait 4 months for a dual charger on a new Tesla will be annoying. It will also add more work to already overloaded service centres in Norway.

Having to wait four hours longer than necessary to charge the car while on a road trip outside supercharged areas also isn't providing customers with the best possible user experience.

I don't know about other markets, but in the US market it's only a ~33% increase - what was a $1500 factory build option is now a $2000 service center option.

(It used to be possible to retrofit at service centers as a $3600 option, so it is now almost half the price for cars that don't currently have dual chargers.)

I don't know, but I suspect that one could arrange to have the second charger installed by the service center prior to delivery...
Walter

 

[fredag]

Adding dual chargers to an order used to cost 10 000 NOK.

Now it will be 18 000 NOK to retrofit.

That's an 80% increase.

At 10K NOK it was a no-brainer. At 18K NOK, 1000 USD more, well, many will think it's too expensive and not worth the extra cost. I think that's sad, because in my experiece the dual charger really adds to the usability of the car.