Elon Musk Responds To Outrage Caused By Tesla Removing The Mobile Connector

When you buy a Tesla, you get 3 different ways of charging your new vehicle. The most famous and obvious way to charge is using Tesla’s over 30,000 supercharger stations located all around the world.

The supercharges can charge up to 250KW or 200 miles in 15mins. This is an incredibly convenient way to charge your Tesla, and we recently learned from Elon Musk how much profit Tesla makes from the superchargers.

Still, the superchargers are for the most part most convenient when used for long-distance trips. For day-to-day charging, Tesla provides two options. One is you can install a dedicated Tesla charger in your home. This can charge your car from empty to full overnight.

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This is by far the most convenient way to charge your vehicle. However, Tesla also adds a third option. And that is the mobile connector. This is a Tesla charger that can be plugged into any outlet and takes several days to fully charge your vehicle.

The mobile connector is not ideal as a long-term solution and once Tesla owners install a dedicated wall connector it usually spends the rest of its days tacked away somewhere without ever being used.

And taking this into consideration, Tesla in an update to the company’s online configurator removed the mobile connector as standard equipment that comes with a purchase of any Tesla.

However, the decision was met with unanimous objection even by Tesla’s most ardent fans. Some wondered how they will be able to charge their new vehicle until they install a wall connector; others demanded Tesla decrease the price of the vehicle equivalent to the price of the mobile connector; the rest emphasized how important the wall connectors are when they go on trips to remote areas.

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And most importantly keen-eyed Tesla followers pointed out currently that the mobile connectors are out of stock on Tesla’s online store. Meaning there is currently no way to buy the device if it doesn’t come with the vehicle.

Disappointing move! @elonmusk https://t.co/knjSg3YeOW— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) April 16, 2022

Musk initially downplayed these concerns and explained the reasoning behind Tesla’s decision writing on Twitter “usage statistics were super low, so seemed wasteful. On the (minor) plus side, we will be including more plug adapters with the mobile connector kit.”

Usage statistics were super low, so seemed wasteful. On the (minor) plus side, we will be including more plug adapters with the mobile connector kit.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 16, 2022

Still, Musk’s statement wasn’t able to assuage many of the concerns mentioned above and the outcry continued. A number of Tesla fans on Twitter started suggesting better ways Tesla can implement this move while making the wall connector easily available for any Tesla buyers.

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And in classic Musk move, the CEO listened to the concerns, and a few hours later came back with a remedy. Musk wrote on Twitter “based on feedback received, we will drop mobile connector price to $200 & make it easy to order with car.”

Meaning, Tesla rather than simply removing the mobile connector or automatically bundling it with the vehicle, now the EV maker will give prospective buyers the option to add the item with a purchase of a vehicle at check out.

In addition, Musk also announced Tesla will be decreasing the price of the mobile connector from $400 to $200.

Having said that Musk still emphasized the “mobile connector is not needed if you have a Tesla wall connector or to use Superchargers.” and instead recommended prospective Tesla buyers install a “Tesla wall connector well before the car arrives.”

Based on feedback received, we will drop mobile connector price to $200 & make it easy to order with car. Note, mobile connector is not needed if you have a Tesla wall connector or to use Superchargers.Recommend installing Tesla wall connector well before car arrives.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 17, 2022

As of now, Tesla has yet to update the online configurator with the new changes Musk announced on Twitter. However, we will be sure to keep you updated as Tesla rolls out the changes. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.

So what do you think? Do you agree with Tesla’s initial decision to remove the wall connector? Also, what do you think about Musk’s quick response on Twitter? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla

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Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.