Tesla’s small charger now optional for $600

Tesla’s universal mobile connector (UMC) charger is now a $600 optional extra.

It was free, but Tesla Owners Club of New Zealand founder and president John Fitness reckons Tesla is looking at getting some money back to avoid raising the price of a Model Y above the $80,000 rebate threshold.

Fitness expects to take delivery of his grey Model Y in three weeks, saying the $79,980 price should drop to around $71,000 with the rebate.

He says that’s even cheaper than the Model 3 he bought for $77,000 nearly two-and-a-half years ago, and that he’ll keep both as his family is at the stage where two cars are needed.

Fitness says Tesla made its wall charger an optional extra for about $800 some time ago, but that the UMC (“the chargers in a small black bag”) $600 option applies to orders on and after July 8.

He believes there’s “massive” demand for the Model Y in New Zealand and that many EV manufacturers have put up prices to help recover increasing costs.

Tesla’s EV chargers no longer appear included in Tesla buys in Australia either, where Model 3 and Model Y prices have both risen recently, up as much as A$3800, although a basic Model 3 will still qualify for many state EV rebates. Reports suggest the UMC free option has been removed there and will cost about A$550.

Fitness set a record in 2021 for travelling the length of New Zealand in his Model 3.