Tesla offers free lifetime fast-charging to boost sluggish Cybertruck sales
What's the story
Amid a slowdown in demand for its Foundation Series Cybertruck, Tesla has announced a new incentive for prospective buyers of the vehicle.
The company is now offering free lifetime supercharging to customers who buy this model.
The promotional offer would be applicable for those who order a Foundation Series vehicle on or after February 28 and would remain valid for the entire ownership period.
Terms
Free supercharging comes with certain conditions
The offer of free supercharging is limited to Tesla-branded superchargers and cannot be transferred to another party.
Also, Tesla reserves the right to revoke this benefit in cases of "excessive charging."
This incentive could potentially result in significant cost savings for Tesla users, though the exact amount would depend on individual charging prices across different chargers in the US.
Sales strategy
Tesla's efforts to boost Cybertruck sales
The free supercharging offer comes as part of a series of incentives introduced by Tesla to boost demand for the Cybertruck.
Back in January, the company had offered up to $1,600 off on new Cybertrucks and $2,600 on used ones. Even leasing prices were slashed to $750/month in recent weeks.
However, despite all this, sales have been lower than expected due to a tough production ramp-up and higher-than-expected launch price.
Sales performance
Cybertruck sales fall short of expectations
According to data from Cox Automotive, Tesla sold 38,965 Cybertrucks last year.
While this made the stainless steel-clad EV the best-selling electric pickup truck in the US, it fell short of analyst expectations of 48,500 units for 2024.
Demand also decreased toward the end of last year with deliveries dropping from 16,692 in Q3 to just 12,991 in Q4.
Challenges
Tesla grapples with challenges amid Cybertruck promotion
The free supercharging offer comes at a time when Tesla is grappling with several challenges. The company has seen a major drop in sales in Europe and is also facing backlash against CEO Elon Musk.
Some Cybertruck owners even reported cases of vandalism on their vehicles, with slogans criticizing Musk inscribed on them.
Despite all this, Tesla continues to promote its Cybertruck model with incentives like free supercharging.