You don’t have to buy a new car to get a range upgrade from Tesla, at least for the right model. Electrek reports that Tesla is pushing a software update that improves the range of existing Model Y crossovers. The exact gain isn’t clear, but one Long Range driver said the upgrade was roughly equivalent to the 325 miles you’d get with a brand new Model Y.
The improvements come through code that “improves the efficiency of the engines and climate control systems,” Tesla said in its release notes. In other words, Tesla’s “efficiency package” mentioned in the Model 3 refresh seems to revolve around software.
It is not certain whether this applies to Model 3 owners, or whether all Model Y samples on the road will get the update. The Y has only been on the road for a few months, so chances are it could cover all existing models.
Tesla has previously enhanced range via software, adding 15 miles to some Model 3 versions. in 2019. Still, this could easily be welcome – and important when range could be crucial to warding off competitors like the VW ID.4.
This story by Jon Fingas originally appeared on Engadget.
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