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Tesla introduces new pricing structure for Supercharger network

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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By WhichEV

Tesla has revised its pricing structure for its Supercharger network in the UK, introducing a new membership model that offers lower charging rates for all electric vehicle (EV) owners. The company confirmed that as of April 13th, it moved to a membership-based system, where Tesla owners are enrolled automatically.

Having lost ground to BYD in terms of pure EV sales, Tesla is now launching a marketing initiative in an area where it knows it can win – its Supercharger Network. We recently discussed product pricing with a senior member of Tesla’s management team. When we asked, “So how long before we will be able to buy a Tesla for £20-25,000?” – we got a wry smile along with the reply, there’s one over there. The Tesla chap was pointing to a two year old Model 3 Standard Range. For now, that’s all Tesla has to compete with the up-coming flood of decent quality Chinese options arriving in European markets.

For more on this story, head over to WhichEV.

Tesla included for first time in Euro NCAP ratings for 2022

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Euro NCAP has announced its highest overall car safety scores for 2022, based on results for Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable User Protection and Safety Assist technologies.

For the first time the list includes two cars from Tesla and two Chinese newcomers to the European market.

The winners are the following: Hyundai IONIQ 6 wins the best-in-class award in the Large Family Car category; the ORA Funky Cat in the Small Family Car Category; Tesla Model S in the Executive Car category; Tesla Model Y in the Small Off-Roader category and finally WEY Coffee 01 in the Large Off-Roader category.

Hyundai IONIQ 6 achieved exceptionally high results in Adult Occupant Protection with 97%. Fully electric, and with the latest safety technologies, the IONIQ 6 certainly follows the trajectory of recent automotive developments. For child occupants, the IONIQ 6 provided good protection for all critical body regions of both the 6- and 10-year dummies in the frontal offset and side barrier tests and scored maximum points in this part of the assessment.

2022 was notable for the number of new Chinese brands coming to Europe and achieving great results. Following some less-than-successful attempts to break into the European market in the past, several manufacturers are showing that Chinese brands can now compete on safety with well-established European brands. In the Small Family Car category, the ORA Funky Cat is exceptionally well equipped and, being at the top of its class, outperformed several familiar brands.

The second Chinese brand car in our best-in-class list is the WEY Coffee 01, again highly equipped and performing well in all categories. It was closely followed by the LEXUS RX, which deserves a mention here.

In a statement, Euro NCAP said: “Tesla has made a huge impact on the European car market due to its design and ethos. The company has also been determined to make a name for its brand in safety performance. Tesla Model S and Tesla Model Y are both high achievers in Adult Occupant Protection and both vehicles achieved the highest score of 98% in Safety Assist of all the vehicles in this list. Tesla Model S is also the best in class achiever in the Pure Electric category.”

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General, added: “2022 has been one of Euro NCAP’s busiest years yet and we have seen a lot of new car makers and new technologies.  It’s clear a good Euro NCAP rating is seen by car manufacturers as critical to success in Europe.  This can only mean better safety equipment and safer cars for European consumers all round.”

GUEST BLOG: Are we all driving Teslas now?

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You may have seen figures in the press recently that suggest that, after a lengthy period of relative consistency, the nation’s favourite car brands are changing. Yes, it would seem that the dawn of the electric car is finally upon us, with the Tesla Model 3 recording the third biggest number of UK registrations in August. 

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the model muscled its way into the top 3 with 2,082 units registered in that month.

Well, it’s fair to say that more than a pinch of salt is required when assessing the reasons behind such a sudden ascent.

On the face of it, the model’s growing popularity surpassed that of household models including the Ford Focus, the Vauxhall Corsa and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, with only the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Golf having more registrations in the month.

For a car that only began production in 2017, it’s an impressive effort. Furthermore, it would seem that the rise of the Model 3 has had an impressive impact on EV registrations overall, with sales of battery electric cars almost doubling year on year in the 12 months to August, from 9,000 in 2018 to 17,393 this year.

So, has the electric dream finally been realised and are we all now considering EVs for our next car? Have you got that salt handy?

As ever, it’s all about context. The current trials and tribulations faced by the motor sector have been well documented and it’s perhaps here where the real reasons for the Model 3’s impressive August SMMT figures lie.

The numbers show that the market as a whole saw new registrations dip by 1.6% to 92,573 in August. However, the context to bear in mind here is that August is traditionally a quiet month for registrations as the market’s emphasis shifts to the new September number plate. However, that doesn’t account for the 1,500 fewer registrations in August compared to the same month last year.

So how is Tesla bucking the trend? Has the EV manufacturer weathered the choppy seas of negative PR, only to be welcomed onto dry land to a cacophony of positive headlines?

Not quite. Those journalists perceptive enough to understand how registrations work and the delays that have dogged the production of the Tesla Model 3 have a slightly different take. 

The model is perhaps making up for lost time. James Baggot, founder of Car Dealer Magazine, put it best when he said:

“It’s worth noting that the SMMT registration figures relate to cars registered, not sold, in the month. Most Tesla Model 3 buyers put down their deposits years ago, so this is simply Tesla finally delivering a car they promised back in 2016.

“This was effectively the first full month of deliveries for the Model 3 in the UK. It has also caused an abnormal blip in the SMMT stats – electric cars are up considerably, but it’s unlikely to be something that will continue.”

So, with current market conditions perhaps flattering the Model 3’s perceived popularity in August, we may have to wait a little longer until the electric revolution is truly upon us. And, of-course, while pure-electric sales are on the up, they only represent a tiny 1.1% minority of annual car sales. 

However, it can be said that the industry has made huge strides in 2019. Car makers are now beginning to catch up as the pressure to move away from fossil fuels continues to mount, suggesting that prices for electric cars could also begin to fall.

Jaguar’s I-Pace sports utility vehicle won the world car of the year award this year, Nissan is finally beginning to talk about its new EV cross-over following the huge success of the Leaf, BMW has high hopes for its new electric Mini, while Volkswagen has been spotted testing its all-electric ID 4 SUV, one of the first EV’s in its much talked about ID series.

With Government emission targets not going away, the pressure on the industry remains. It will be interesting to see whether Tesla can stay in the headlines, for the right reasons.  

To discover our full range of electric vehicles from Motability Dealers, Lookers, visit lookers.co.uk.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay