Mobile connectors will no longer be included with every Tesla vehicle

Tesla will no longer include its mobile connectivity with new car orders, instead opting to sell the Gen 2 (Level 1) bundle separately for $200 less, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The mobile connector bundle includes an adapter that lets drivers charge their automobiles using a standard 110v household outlet; additional adapters can be purchased separately.

Tesla changed their support page on Saturday night, indicating that the mobile connector bundle no longer comes with the car, as it was previously advertised as an attachment that “comes with vehicle.” However, it appears that there is a typo on this page: the chart depicts a Gen 2 mobile connector bundle, but the price is for a $400 Gen 1 (Level 2) bundle (which is also available for purchase separately). Other modifications seen by @Tesla Adri and Drive Tesla Canada support the theory that the Gen 2 charger is the one in issue.

Musk acknowledged that the Gen 2 mobile connector will no longer be included with new car orders in response to a user’s reaction to the issue. “Usage statistics were super low, so seemed wasteful,” Musk remarked, adding that “will be including more plug adapters with the mobile connector kit.” It’s unclear which adapters Tesla will include with the kit when it launches.

Musk offered another update a few hours later, claiming that Tesla will reduce the price of the mobile connector to $200 “based on user feedback.” He also stated that Tesla will “make it easy” to order the mobile connector when purchasing a car, and that owners should install a wall charger “well before” their car arrives.

The Gen 2 mobile connector is still listed on Tesla’s website for $275, and you wouldn’t be able to get one even if you wanted to Because the mobile connector, like the Gen 1 connector, is now out of stock. However, it’s unclear how long either attachment has been out of stock or whether Tesla’s choice is influenced by a supply chain shortfall.

Musk’s choice has generated a mixed response. Although a mobile connector isn’t required because Tesla owners can charge their cars from a wall charger at home or at a charging station, some drivers say having it with them when driving is comforting. The adapter allows drivers to connect their car into a regular outlet, which is useful at campsites or when travelling in an area without charging facilities. The Gen 2 charger, on the other hand, charges at a significantly slower rate, offering around one to three miles of range after an hour of charging.

Some drivers also say that the mobile connector is a far less expensive alternative to the expensive wall charger, while others claim that they hardly ever use it. Other EVs, such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevy Bolt, and all BMW EVs, include connectors with a 120v or 240v adaptor as standard. The Kia EV6 does not, however, come with a Level 1 or 2 charging cable, as Elecktrek points out.

Apple famously stopped including chargers with new iPhones in 2020, and Samsung and Google quickly followed suit. Although there are many similarities between this situation and Tesla’s, it is far too early to say whether Tesla’s move will have a domino effect on other EV manufacturers.