Do Tesla Supercharger Miles Expire? Extend Expiration Date

Gone are the days of unlimited free supercharging for as long as you own your Tesla. The company implemented these early programs to incentivize and encourage early adopters to use the superchargers as well as to promote the company. So what is the deal now? How long do the supercharger referral miles last?

Tesla Supercharger miles on all Teslas will not last forever and will expire after 6 months. If you used up the supercharger miles beforehand, the next referral will reset to the next 6 months. You can view the expiration date of your Supercharger miles on the Loot Box on your Tesla Mobile app.

Check out the rest of the article to get some additional background, which will give you a clearer understanding of Tesla’s business decisions.

What to Know About Tesla Supercharger Miles

Tesla supercharger miles earned through a referral link expire six months after they’re issued. The miles are applied to your loot box within the Tesla app, and the expiration date appears underneath the display of how many free Supercharger miles you have left. 

Many users were disappointed with this expiration date, as the coronavirus pandemic kept many people at home instead of cruising around in their Teslas. 

Superchargers are designed to charge Teslas quickly so you can get back to driving. To charge, all users need to do is plug the charging connector into the charge port on their vehicle. Then, you can relax, grab some road trip snacks, or do whatever else you’d like while monitoring your charge status with the Tesla app. 

The app also tells you how much charge you’ll need to get to the next Supercharger, so you don’t necessarily need to charge to 100% every time. 

Speaking of which, I wrote a related article where I asked the question: “Why Can’t I Charge My Tesla to 100%?” I gave some interesting reasons and solutions. Check it out when you’re done reading this article!

The Trip Planner programmed in all Teslas can inform you where Supercharger stations are on the road. Nearly all of these stations are open 24 hours a day, and if they’re not, this will be indicated on the Trip Planner. 

Tesla owners are either charged per kilowatt-hour or by the minute. Payment is processed in your Tesla account. If you do have free Supercharger miles, this is indicated in your Tesla account, and you won’t be charged. 

The following video explains how to use your free Supercharger miles: 

How to Redeem Supercharger Miles

To redeem your Supercharger miles, follow these steps:

1. Open your Tesla app and sign in to your Tesla account.
2. Navigate to the ‘Account’ or ‘Manage’ section within the app.
3. Locate the option for ‘Supercharger Miles’ or ‘Redeem Supercharger Miles.’
4. Select the ‘Redeem’ button or similar option displayed on the screen.
5. Follow the prompts provided to confirm your redemption of Supercharger miles.
6. Once redeemed, the Tesla charging station will automatically recognize your available free Supercharger miles when you plug in your vehicle for charging.
7. The charging session will reflect the deduction of Supercharger miles instead of a charge to your Tesla account.

Following these steps will enable you to effortlessly utilize your accumulated Supercharger miles, ensuring convenient and cost-effective charging for your Tesla without any additional charges debited to your account.

Extending Tesla Supercharger Miles Before They Expire

It is not possible to extend Supercharger miles obtained from the referral program. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Tesla extended the supercharging miles expiration date by one month, and many Tesla users felt like this was not enough. 

However, many Tesla users also overestimate the value of these miles. One thousand miles (1,609 km) of supercharging costs approximately $50, which is certainly not nothing, but it also isn’t a devastating amount to let go of if you cannot use your free Supercharger miles. 

Some users have tried to get an extension on their miles by speaking to Tesla Customer Support but were unsuccessful in extending the deadline. Believe it or not, Tesla isn’t super inclined to ensure that their users get free miles ones the supercharging miles expire.

The End of Tesla’s Referral Program 

Before September 2021, Tesla’s referral program rewarded those who promoted their vehicles and those who purchased their vehicles with 1,000 free Supercharger miles (1,609 km) if someone purchased a Tesla through their referral. 

This program was intended to get their user base to promote and market their products without spending on advertising themselves. 

CEO Elon Musk claims that the referral program had to end because supporting the supercharging miles program added to the cost of the Model 3 Tesla. 

As of September 18, 2021, vehicles were no longer eligible for Supercharger mile rewards.

Can Members Of The Tesla Community Still Benefit From Referrals?

Currently, solar roof and solar panel products are eligible for referral rewards.

If someone uses your referral code for these products, you’ll receive $300 for solar panels and $500 for a solar roof. 

Tesla’s Referral Program Timeline

The below timeline outlines what Tesla’s referral program rewards were throughout its history, so readers can understand how free Supercharger miles came to be. Let’s take a look at the history of Tesla’s referral program: 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How can I Maximize Tesla Charging Efficiency?

Maximizing Tesla charging efficiency involves avoiding frequent 100% charges as this can degrade the battery over time.

Additionally, utilizing the Trip Planner to locate nearby Superchargers and charging to the necessary level for your journey can optimize your charging routine, ensuring a balanced approach between charging time and battery health.

What are the Benefits of Using Tesla Superchargers?

Tesla Superchargers offer an array of benefits, including rapid charging, allowing you to get back on the road quickly during long-distance travels.

These chargers are conveniently designed for effortless use, with 24/7 accessibility ensuring uninterrupted travel. Their efficiency and accessibility make long trips stress-free and enjoyable.

Can I Extend Expiring Supercharger Miles?

Unfortunately, Tesla doesn’t typically allow extensions for expiring Supercharger miles obtained through the referral program.

While some users have attempted to seek extensions through Tesla Customer Support, success in extending the expiration deadline remains unlikely, as per user experiences shared online.

So if your Supercharger Miles are about to expire, the only way you can stop yourself wasting them is to take your Tesla to a Supercharger to redeem the miles. Roadtrip, anyone?

Why did Tesla End the Referral Program for Vehicles?

Tesla’s decision to terminate the vehicle referral program was attributed to increased costs for the Model 3. Focusing on promoting solar roof and panel products through the program allows Tesla to direct its marketing efforts towards sustainable energy solutions.

What was the Original Purpose of Tesla’s Referral Program?

The original purpose of Tesla’s referral program was to leverage its existing user base for promotion without relying on conventional advertising methods.

By offering free Supercharger miles as incentives, Tesla encouraged both existing users and potential buyers to actively participate in promoting its electric vehicles.

Are Free Supercharger Miles Worth It?

While Supercharger miles certainly hold value, it’s important to note that the cost of one thousand miles (1,609 km) of charging is approximately $50.

While this benefit shouldn’t be overlooked, its financial impact is relatively moderate, making it less concerning if your Supercharger miles expire or remain unused.

It also depends on how much energy you invested into receiving the free miles. If you have a wide social net, it could have been quite beneficial.

How does Tesla Calculate Supercharger Fees?

Tesla calculates Supercharger fees based on either per kilowatt-hour or per minute charging, depending on the charging station. The payment for charging services is processed seamlessly through the user’s Tesla account, ensuring a hassle-free charging experience for Tesla owners.

What are the Current Rewards in Tesla’s Referral Program?

Presently, the Tesla referral program offers $300 for solar panels and $500 for a solar roof as rewards for users whose referrals result in purchases of these sustainable energy products.

This could be especially worthwhile for influencers or users who have a large social media following or extensive email list. One share could lead to several sales, making it worth the effort.

This encourages members of the Tesla community to participate in the promotion of Tesla’s commitment to renewable energy solutions.

How can I Locate Supercharger Stations for Tesla?

Utilize the Trip Planner in your Tesla to effortlessly locate nearby Supercharger stations along your route. This integrated feature ensures that you have access to charging stations whenever you need them, with the added convenience of being able to plan your journey seamlessly, factoring in charging stops as necessary.

Is Charging Tesla to 100% Always Necessary?

Charging your Tesla to 100% isn’t always necessary for every trip. Utilize the Tesla app’s Trip Planner, which offers insights into the required charge needed to reach the next Supercharger. This allows you to optimize your charging routine based on your specific travel needs, preserving the overall health and longevity of your Tesla’s battery.

Check out these 20 great gift ideas for yourself or a Tesla fanboy.

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