Existing Tesla Model Y RWD to expand 60 miles range with new upgrade

Tesla will launch a software or manual upgrade that will enable the Model Y Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) to extend the range by 60 miles in the near future.

Earlier today, Tesla released the Model Y Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) in the US featuring 320 miles of driving range. This range is 60 miles more than the previous standard RWD. Interestingly, the company has delisted the standard RWD.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla has announced a new solution that will enable this 60 miles of range to existing RWD models with over-the-air (OTA) software release. He said that recently manufactured Model Y comes with new battery cells that could be unlocked via software updates. Thus extending the range par 300 miles. However, this new update will cost $1,500 to $2,000.

“The “260-mile” range Model Y’s built over the past several months actually have more range that can be unlocked for $1500 to $2000 (gains 40 to 60 miles of range), depending on which battery cells you have.” wrote Musk on social media site X.

The Tesla Chief confirmed that his company is working with regulators to sort a way out and make the rollout happen. A user in the comment section asked Musk to distribute this new upgrade for free and Musk replied “We have to pay the bills somehow”. It means that a free upgrade may not be possible.

Tesla is preparing to launch this update but there’s no timeline available about the rollout. Such changes and regulatory approval may take months to complete but Tesla is one of the automakers to make this happen in a short amount of time.