Tesla Re-Opening Its Supercharging Network to Salvaged Vehicles
Tesla has begun re-enabling Supercharging on vehicles that hold a salvage title.
Many users of previously-salvaged Model 3’s are reporting that Supercharging capability is now active and enabled, despite the vehicle itself having a salvage title. This is in stark contrast to Tesla’s previous policy, which went so far as to prevent users of salvaged vehicles from making third-party adjustments that would re-enable Supercharging.
In fact, Tesla historically has had a steadfast policy that salvaged vehicles were generally deemed to be unsafe and thus wouldn’t have access to the Tesla network. This made it so Tesla could stop offering software updates as well as Supercharging access at any time.
Without access to fast charging of any kind, it becomes drastically more difficult to drive a Tesla any measurable sort of distance. This effectively made salvaged Tesla’s shorter-range electric vehicles as the Supercharging Network is a critical component of long-distance travel.
Model 3 in particular wasn’t affected by Tesla’s salvage policy, which specifically pertained to Model S and Model X, until the fourth quarter of last year. Regardless, there are also reports coming from salvaged Model S owners that Tesla has re-enabled their Supercharging access.
Real Talk
The reaction from Tesla owners to the news has been surprisingly welcoming and positive.
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We have our own concerns, as we think Tesla’s original policy was astute at the time as it dramatically reduced the appeal of a salvaged Tesla. For those unaware, vehicles with a salvage title were deemed as a total loss by an insurance company following an accident at some point. This could lead to issues with structural integrity as well as electronics, which Tesla’s rely on for a host of pertinent functionality including Autopilot, if not properly repaired.
Tesla must have done its own internal research to conclude that these salvaged vehicles don’t pose a risk to owners or the Supercharging hardware itself, as they previously hypothesized.
The argument for allowing Supercharging on salvaged Tesla’s is one faced towards sustainability, as network access makes it so the batteries and motors are utilized for the length of their usable lifespan.
A rigorous inspection process undergone at Tesla service centers would be the ideal solution to this issue in our opinion. With Tesla’s decision to make these salvaged vehicles effectively as capable as a new Tesla, each vehicle should be thoroughly inspected to determine condition and overall usability before granting back access to the Supercharging Network.
Time will tell if Tesla will adjust its policy again, and also grant access to salvaged Model X and Model Y vehicles.
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