Tesla upgrades US made Model 3 with wireless charger

California: Tesla has upgraded Model 3 vehicles built at Fremont Factory in the US with features first introduced in Model Y and Chinese-made Model 3 vehicles, like a wireless phone charger and USB-C ports. For the most part, the Model Y’s interior is extremely similar to Model 3 aside from the bigger cargo space and the eventual third-row seats. The upgrades now put U.S. made Model 3 on par with the same vehicles made at Tesla’s factory in China.

Tesla started Model Y deliveries in March and when the automaker delivered the first few units, motor-fans were surprised to learn that the new electric SUV came standard with a Qi wireless phone charger. In Model 3, it is only sold as an aftermarket item and doesn’t come standard with the electric car. Model Y also comes with USB-C ports unlike Model 3. Last month, Tesla added those features to Model 3 vehicles built in China.

At the time, it was speculated that Tesla would also bring the features to Model 3 vehicles built in Fremont, which was shut down at the time due to the pandemic. Model Y is one of the rare customer-facing hardware upgrades on Model 3 since Tesla launched the vehicle in 2017. For those who have an older Model 3 and want a wireless phone charger, you can order the same one Tesla has now made standard on the car. Some though prefer Jeda’s wireless charger for Model 3 since it’s $25 cheaper and enables charging while keeping the phone in landscape.

Obviously, there’s no way to change your ports to USB-C ports, but you can get Jeda’s Model 3 USB Hub to get more ports, including USB-C, while also hiding a storage drive for Sentry Mode and Teslacam. The upgrades are likely part of Tesla’s aim to make its automotive assembly more efficient as well as make its vehicles more attractive to potential customers who have slowed purchases during Covid-19 pandemic.

Tesla delivered 88,400 vehicles in the first quarter, beating most analysts’ expectations despite a 21 per cent decrease from the previous quarter as the Covid-19 pandemic put downward pressure on demand and created logistical challenges. Tesla produced 103,000 electric vehicles in the first quarter, about 2 per cent lower than the previous period. Covid-19 disrupted the supply chain and global sales in China and Europe in the first quarter, which ended March 31. The pandemic spread its economic gloom to the U.S. towards the end of the first quarter, and then dug in its heels in the second period. Tesla typically reports quarter production and delivery figures a few days after the end of the quarter. The second quarter ends by June 30.