Tesla extended the range of cars due to Hurricane Irma

The people of Florida are alarmed to follow the reports of the impending cataclysm, one of the most powerful in history. Tesla has sent an update to the owners of electric cars to increase the range of cars, which is intended to help residents evacuate. How is this possible? We explain.

Nearly one million people living in Florida have been forced to leave their homes and evacuate the areas threatened by natural disasters. Tesla, a semi-autonomous manufacturer of electric cars, has sent its customers, who are in the evacuated zone, a free update of the car software, increasing the distance they can travel by about 30 miles (almost 50 kilometres) with fully charged batteries.

How is it possible that the software sent via wireless network (update is an OTA[over-the-air] packet sent directly to permanently connected cars) can extend the range of the vehicle? The secret lies in the Tesli Model S and Model X parts. The brand offers a 60 kWh battery, slightly smaller than the standard 75 kWh car. However, in reality these are not two different batteries. Elona Muska installs a 75 kWh battery in both Tesla types, only in the latter is the capacity artificially limited by programming. If cheaper 60 kWh models will want to increase the distance, it is enough to pay for and receive an update, unblocking the actual battery capacity of 75 kWh. On the other hand, Tesla may decide to send an update on its own in exceptional cases, and that is what it has done.

Of course, Tesla will not make a gift to the people of Florida, it would be unfair to those who paid more at the start. The update is intended to help car owners only during evacuation.

Increasing the range of the company's fixed range costs 5 thousand dollars. Meanwhile, the free "rescue" update related to Irma Hurricane will be cancelled on September 16th. Regardless of this, Tesla's movement is received very well by car users. Every kilometre more during evacuation is a better chance of finding a safe haven or getting to the next Tesla Supercharger.