Tesla's new free-charging policy will be many miles ahead of other EV automakers

A free Tesla Supercharger on Route 300 in Newburgh, N.Y., is conveniently located in a strip mall with an Italian-American restaurant and pizzeria, and a frozen yogurt store.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

Who doesn't like "free"? 

In the last four years, owners of the all-electric Tesla Model S four-door hatchback and the Model X SUV have enjoyed free juice at a growing network of Superchargers across the continental U.S.

And if they have solar panels at home, all of the electricity they've used has been free.

Now, for Teslas ordered after Jan. 1, 2017, owners will receive 400 kWh hours of free Supercharging credits annually (roughly 1,000 miles) so that they can continue to enjoy free fast charging during travel.

"All cars will continue to come standard with the onboard hardware required for Supercharging," according to Tesla.

That hardware was a $2,000 option when I ordered my Model S 60 in early 2015.

Costs less than gas

Beyond the roughly 1,000 miles of free Supercharging credits, "there will be a small fee to Supercharge which will be charged incrementally and cost less than the price of filling up a comparable gas car," the Tesla Blog says.

"As we approach the launch of the Model 3, this update will enable us to greatly expand our Supercharger Network, providing customers with the best possible user experience and bringing sustainable transport to even more people," the company says.

Tesla is unique

Still, Tesla is the only carmaker to provide a network of free fast chargers, and after the changeover, is expected to remain the only one to provide annual charging credits.

Chevrolet has already announced purchasers of the Bolt EV won't get free charging on road trips.

You've also heard nothing from BMW and Nissan about free charging for their EVs.

Free for life

Since I took delivery in April 2015, I've driven my Tesla twice to the International Jazz Festival in Montreal in late June, a round trip of about 800 miles.

And since my car came with free charging for life, I'd still be able to make that road trip and others at no extra cost as long as I own it.

I had planned to trade in my Model S on the smaller Model 3 in a year or so, but may reconsider and keep two Teslas in our garage.

"Just as you charge your cell phone, we believe the best way to charge your car is either at home or at work, during the hours you're not using it," Tesla says.

Will all those Model 3 owners overwhelm Tesla's nationwide Supercharger network?

I've never had to wait to charge my Tesla Model S at one of the six Superchargers in a Hamilton, N.J., shopping center, above, but what will happen when thousands of Model 3s hit the road and compete for the same charging stations? 

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

On the day news broke that owners of the affordable Model 3 won't be gulping free juice at Tesla Superchargers, two Model S owners were speculating about the future.

Even if Tesla CEO Elon Musk doubles the number of Superchargers, as he promised at the unveiling of the Model 3, will there be room for owners of both models to charge without waiting?

The Model 3, which Tesla hopes to begin delivering in late 2017, is expected to have a $35,000 base price, compared to $75,000 for the Model S 70D, an all-wheel-drive, four-door luxury hatchback.

The Model S and more expensive Model X SUV now include free use of the company's extensive Supercharging network.

A $2,000 option

Musk said on Thursday Tesla can't afford to include free charging at the $35,000 base price, but that owners could purchase an option or package.

In April 2015, when I took delivery of my Tesla Model S 60, Supercharging was a $2,000 option, and I gladly paid it.

On Friday, at the Tesla showroom in Paramus, N.J., one Model S owner suggested the company could sell Model 3s with an adapter that would allow them to use only some -- but not all of -- the Superchargers at each shopping center or service area.

That would leave other Superchargers exclusively for the smaller number of Model S owners.

When I've used free Superchargers at shopping centers in Hamilton Township, N.J., or outside Albany, N.Y., I've been able to add 100 miles of range in about 15 minutes.

Tesla freshens front of Model S hatchback so it looks more like Model X and Model 3

A Tesla Model S with a freshened front bumper and grille, giving it a family resemblance to the new Model X. The image appears on Tesla.com, the company Web site.

The front bumper and oval grille on a 2015 Model S.

The Model X is billed as the safest SUV on the road.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiling his $35,000 Model 3 on March 31 in California. This smaller Tesla could use the same slit grille as Model X and the freshened Model S.

-- VICTOR E. SASSON