Do Tesla Supercharger Miles Expire? Key Insights Revealed

Using Tesla’s network of Superchargers offers incredible convenience for road trips and daily commutes, yet keeping track of free miles and their rules can be confusing. If you’ve earned miles through referrals or promotions, you might worry about losing them unexpectedly. So, do Tesla Supercharger Miles Expire?

Tesla’s free Supercharger miles expire after six months. Some vary, but they’re all time-limited. Transfer rules vary, and certain circumstances allow miles to move between owners. Regularly check your Tesla account or app to track usage and avoid losing them. Use them up if possible

Curious about using these miles in different scenarios and whether you can transfer them when selling a Tesla? Read on to explore expiration nuances, special promotions, and crucial tips to make the most of your free Supercharger miles before they vanish

What to Know About Tesla Supercharger Miles Expiration

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. 

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. 

Expiration of Free Miles

Free Supercharger miles come with an expiration date for Teslas. For customers who purchased their Model S, Model X, or Model Y by March 31, 2024, those free miles expire after two years.

Expiration dates may vary by region or specific vehicle models.

The recent 15,000 free Supercharger miles offer doesn’t have a specific expiration date, except that vehicles must be ordered and delivered by June 30, 2024. Check your Tesla account for specific details.

Free Supercharger miles earned through the referral program also expire if not used within a certain timeframe. Unused referral miles can expire in six months, and they’re deducted at a rate of 2.5 miles per kWh.

Free Supercharger miles are tied to the buyer’s Tesla Account and are non-transferable, making it essential to monitor them closely.

The UK has over 1,500 Superchargers that offer free Supercharger miles, making it essential to monitor them closely. The offer of 15,000 miles of free Supercharging expires after 6 months, based on an assumed efficiency of 2.5 miles per kWh. Owners should note that miles can be used strategically, as they can accrue up to 13,000 miles per year through referrals.

Referral Program Details

Referrers cannot earn $1000 per person referred who takes delivery of a Tesla; instead, according to recent updates, they earn $500 per successful referral. The limit is indeed 10 awards per calendar year.

Referral credits and awards were previously structured differently. A system of credits was used, which could be redeemed for various benefits such as Supercharging credits. However, the current program offers a more straightforward approach.

Buyers who use a referral code receive $1,000 off the purchase price of a qualifying Tesla vehicle.

Referral Credits and Rewards

• Incorrect Information: The information provided about buyers of Model 3 or Model Y vehicles receiving 6 months of free Supercharging credits and Model S and Model X purchases yielding 3 months of free Full Self-Driving software access refers to an outdated version of the referral program.
• Current Program: Under the current 2024 Referral Program, referrers earn $500 for each successful referral, and buyers receive a $1,000 discount on the purchase price of a qualifying Tesla vehicle. Referral credits can be used towards Supercharging, software upgrades (excluding full self-driving), merchandise, service payments, or a new vehicle. Unused Supercharger miles expire after six months, causing some concerns among owners. The new referral program also offers referrers a chance to win Tesla event invitations, including the Robotaxi event, based on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Tesla customers can refer up to 10 buyers per calendar year.

Referral Reward Credits Expiration

• Expiration: Reward credits expire 12 months after the Grant Date. There is no provision for extending reward credits by referring an additional sale within the 12-month period as described in the outdated information.
• Usage: Rewards can be used as described but expire after 12 months from the date they were earned. The specific condition about Supercharger miles expiring six months from purchase does not apply to the current program structure.

Supercharger Host Program

Benefits of Hosting a Supercharger

Hosting a Tesla Supercharger brings increased visibility and customer traffic. Tesla’s navigation system guides drivers to your location.

With Tesla’s recent developments in free Supercharger use, such as reintroducing free lifetime Supercharging for new Model S buyers in the USA, Tesla Supercharger hosts can benefit from increased visibility among potential customers looking to take advantage of this new incentive.

Key Benefits

1. Increased Business Visibility: Tesla’s navigation system directs drivers to your location, increasing foot traffic and potential customers.
2. Environmental Sustainability: Hosting a Supercharger supports a sustainable future and aligns your business with Tesla’s environmentally friendly brand.
3. No Installation Costs: Tesla covers installation and maintenance expenses, so you won’t incur upfront costs.
4. Association with a Leading Brand: As a Tesla Supercharger host, you’ll benefit from the brand’s reputation for innovation and sustainability, bolstering your business image.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the program, your business must have adequate parking spaces and be ideally located on popular routes and destinations. Partnering with Tesla also enhances your business’s reputation and commitment to the future transportation by supporting the shift towards clean, sustainable transportation.

A minimum commitment of five years is required to participate in the program, which reflects the significant initial costs and the long-term partnership with Tesla.

Transferable Supercharging

When buying a pre-owned Tesla, you’re likely curious if the vehicle’s Free Unlimited Supercharging will transfer to you. This perk can significantly enhance the overall ownership experience and save you money on long road trips.

To find out if this benefit will be passed on to you, it’s essential to understand the transfer conditions. Verifying these conditions is crucial, as the transfer process is contingent upon specific model requirements. Vehicles must be delivered by March 31, 2024, for the free lifetime Supercharging offer to be transferable.

Typically, Free Unlimited Supercharging is only available on certain models, so ensure the vehicle you’re interested in meets these requirements. Checking the vehicle’s eligibility is just the first step; you’ll also need to review the My Tesla account for relevant option codes that indicate the presence of this feature.

Teslas ordered before January 15, 2017 may still have transferable Free Unlimited Supercharging.

If purchasing from a dealer, it’s vital to ask how they acquired the vehicle to avoid buying a car that has had its Free Unlimited Supercharging stripped. Dealerships might not always disclose this information upfront, so don’t hesitate to inquire about the vehicle’s history and the status of its Free Unlimited Supercharging benefit.

Tesla reinstated free supercharging for life on new Model S purchases in 2024, but it is non-transferable and tied to the original owner’s Tesla Account.

It is also worth noting that Free Unlimited Supercharging is no longer offered on new Teslas, making it essential to verify the feature’s presence when buying a pre-owned vehicle.

Transferable Supercharger Conditions

Unlimited Free Supercharging Transfer Rules

1. Model S and X Transfer Options: Free Unlimited Supercharging transfers to a new owner under specific circumstances.

2. Transfer Periods and Limited-Time Offers: Tesla occasionally offers limited-time transfers of unlimited lifetime Supercharging to new Teslas upon trading in an old Model S/X back to Tesla.

Eligible and Ineligible Transfer Conditions

Eligible Transfers for New Teslas: Lifetime Supercharging transfers are available for new Model S, 3, X, or Y deliveries by specific dates.

3. Standard Expiration Dates: Free Unlimited Supercharging may be affected by standard expiration dates, typically set at 6 months from the initial activation or transfer of the perk.

Ineligible Transfer Perks:

– Time-limited Free Supercharging and Tesla Supercharging credits are non-transferable and can’t pass to the next owner or account holder.

Key Transfer Considerations:

• Recognizing the transferable Supercharger conditions helps with a seamless handover or upgrade.
• Model S and X offer more flexible options.
• However, not all free Supercharging perks are created equal.

Dealer Purchase Verification

Dealers should disclose how they acquired the car to determine the supercharging status.

• Check the option codes, such as SC04, via your Tesla account or on the charging screen to verify transferable supercharging.
• Free supercharging may be stripped if the car was bought directly from Tesla or via auction.
• Tesla’s used inventory after 2018 may also remove free supercharging.
• When purchasing a used Tesla, it is essential to verify the supercharging status with Tesla if possible, and also ensure that the vehicle is CSS-enabled for fast charging.
• Verify the supercharging status with Tesla if possible.
• Some cars may come with credits for supercharging instead of free unlimited supercharging.
• Include a condition of sale that the supercharging is transferable if the dealer claims it has.

To confirm ownership, access the Tesla app and follow prompts to claim ownership of the vehicle, as this significantly impacts the supercharging status.

Check the car’s supercharging history before purchasing from a dealer, ensuring it has been updated to NACS Port Adoption for U.S.-bound vehicles starting in 2025.

Private Sale Confirmation

Verifying Transferable Supercharging Status

When purchasing a used Tesla through a private sale, verifying the transferable supercharging status is vital.

Tesla may remove Free Unlimited Supercharging from vehicles that have changed hands through their dealership after 2018.

Private party sales are the most reliable way to buy or sell a used Tesla with transferable Unlimited Free Supercharging.

Key Points to Check

1. Vehicle’s History: Confirm the vehicle is eligible for transferable Free Unlimited Supercharging by checking the production date and model type (e.g., Model S or Model X).

2. Listing Details: Confirm that the seller has explicitly stated the transferable supercharging status in the listing.

3. Review Transfer Conditions: Check for specific conditions under which the transferable Free Unlimited Supercharging is allowed, such as promotions or upgrades.

4. Verify with Tesla: Reach out to Tesla directly to confirm the transferable supercharging status before finalizing the purchase.

Checking Supercharger Miles

You can easily check your available Supercharger miles in the Tesla Mobile App by accessing the “Loot Box” or “Treasure Chest” section.

To access this information in the app, navigate to the respective section and you’ll be presented with a clear view of your available Supercharger miles. Tesla Superchargers can cater to approximately 55,000 EVs simultaneously at a 100 kW average power output.

To further manage and track your miles, you can also view your miles and their expiration dates by logging in to your account on the tesla.com website. It is also important to note that your unused free Supercharger miles will expire after six months if not used unless extended by a new referral.

When a referred car is paid for and delivered, the miles from referrals will appear in your account, marked as Delivery Condition.

Mobile App Visibility

Free Supercharger Miles Tracking

The latest Tesla Mobile App update allows you to view your free Supercharger miles balance, including expiration dates, in the Loot Box. The Supercharger map for Tesla app also helps Tesla owners find supercharger stations near them and navigate to these locations using Apple Maps.

Supercharger Miles Balance Details

1. Total Miles Earned: View the total number of free Supercharger miles earned through referrals.
2. Expiration Dates: Check the expiration dates for your free Supercharger miles, so you can plan their use before they expire.
3. Real-Time Updates: Monitor your Supercharger miles balance and get updates on expiring miles.

Supercharger Miles Earned Through Referrals

Access detailed information on Supercharger miles earned through referrals, including the number of miles awarded for each referral.

The Loot Box provides a clear view of your Supercharger miles balance, making it easy to track and manage your free miles.

Regularly checking the Loot Box helps you avoid losing unused miles and make the most of your free Supercharger miles.

Free Supercharger Miles Have Expiration Dates

Most free Supercharger miles have an expiration date. You can find this information on the Tesla website within your account.

The “Expires on” date is displayed for each set of referral Supercharger miles.

Typically, Supercharger miles expire six months after they’re added to your account, but this can vary depending on the specific promotion.

The Q1 2024 offer comes with a two-year window to use the free Supercharger miles.

The 15,000 free Supercharger miles for Q2 2024 purchases reportedly have no expiration date.

Expiration Policy for Free Supercharger Miles

Tesla’s expiration policy is tied to the delivery date of the vehicle for certain promotions.

You can check the expiration date for your free Supercharger miles by logging into your Tesla account on the website.

Different promotions have different expiration timelines for free Supercharger miles.

Expiration policies can change over time as new promotions are introduced.

Some promotions such as the UK Offer may have a non-expiring offer of 15,000 miles of free Supercharging for new vehicle deliveries before July 1, 2024.

Common Misconceptions

Several misconceptions surround the expiration of Tesla Supercharger miles.

1. Incorrect Expiration Dates: Supercharger miles expire 6 months after being added to your account. This is often confused with the initial use date.

2. Transferability: Supercharger miles are transferable between vehicles on the same account. However, they aren’t generally transferable upon selling the vehicle, except in special cases.

3. Note on General Transferability****: The transferability mentioned above applies to vehicles on the same account. Free Supercharger miles generally cannot be transferred to a new owner when a vehicle is sold.

However, Tesla occasionally offers limited-time promotions that allow transfers to new vehicles for owners with certain benefits, such as lifetime Supercharging, under specific conditions.

4. Expiration Extensions: Using referral credits to add more miles does not extend the expiration date for all supercharger miles up to 36 months. Instead, each batch of miles has its own expiration date based on when they were added.

5. Type-Specific Expiration: Different types of Supercharger miles have different expiration policies. Those earned through referrals may not be transferable upon selling the vehicle and expire 6 months after being added.

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.

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: 

Ready for more insights on Tesla charging? Explore our Ultimate Tesla Charging Guide for expert tips, in-depth comparisons, and proven strategies to streamline every aspect of powering up your EV.