Tesla Extended Warranty No Longer Available in the UK

By Kevin Armstrong
UK Extended Coverage Not Offered
UK Extended Coverage Not Offered
Tesla

Tesla owners in the United Kingdom have had the option to buy Tesla’s Extended Warranty option. However, a recent change has come into effect that alters the availability of these warranties for new customers (Thanks, Mark). As of December 31, 2023, Helvetia Global Solutions Ltd has ceased offering Tesla Extended Warranty insurance to new UK customers.

Tesla's Warranty Coverage

Tesla's Extended Warranty, previously available through Helvetia in the UK, offered additional protection for Tesla vehicles after the New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires. This coverage was an assurance against electrical or mechanical failures, excluding the vehicle’s Battery and Drive Unit, which are covered under separate warranties. Customers could easily buy the warranty through the Tesla app or their website, extending their vehicle's protection for up to an additional 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Now, when customers in the UK attempt to get a quote for the Extended Warranty through Tesla's website, they are redirected to a page stating that Helvetia no longer offers this insurance to new UK customers as of December 31, 2023. The page reassures existing customers that Helvetia remains committed to servicing their needs and directs them to an email address for further assistance.

Helvetia backs Tesla’s Extended Warranty coverage in other European countries as well, including Germany, Spain, and France. However, the extended warranties in those countries do not appear to be affected at this time.

Implications for Tesla Owners in the UK

This change primarily affects new Tesla customers in the UK looking to extend their warranty coverage beyond the initial period offered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. It appears existing customers with policies already in place will continue receiving Helvetia's support.

New Tesla owners seeking extended warranty coverage must look for alternative solutions, which may involve researching third-party providers or relying on Tesla's own separate warranties for specific components like the Battery and Drive Unit.

Tesla’s Battery / Drive Unit Warranty

Tesla’s battery/drive unit warranty is for eight years for all models but varies by maximum miles allowed based on the vehicle model. The RWD Model 3 gets up to 100,000 miles of coverage, while other Model 3 and Model Y variants are covered up to 120,000 miles. Tesla’s Model S and Model X are covered up to 150,000 regardless of trim level.

Tesla’s battery warranty will repair or replace the battery if it holds less than a 70% charge during this warranty period. Tesla brought back their Extended Warranty program in the U.S. in March 2023. The coverage in the U.S. and North America appears to remain the same at this time.

Tesla Expected to Offer FSD Transfers in Europe

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).

FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.

In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.

A Fair Solution

FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.

As the regulatory process continues at a snail's pace, many of these early supporters are now reaching or have already passed the point where they’re ready to upgrade to a new Tesla.

Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.

Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.

When Will it Be Available?

Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.

Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.

Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.

Tesla Increases Robotaxi Fare Fee, Up from $4.20

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.

This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.

Context Matters

Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.

So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.

That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).

Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.

A “Maturing” Service

The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.

While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

More Tesla News

Tesla Videos

Latest Tesla Update

Confirmed by Elon

Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.

Subscribe

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter