Tesla's Master Plan Part 3 involves much more than vehicles and solar
Tesla
Tesla published its Master Plan Part 3, a comprehensive 41-page document outlining the company's ambitious strategy to create a sustainable global energy economy. Previously discussed at Tesla's Investor Day on March 1, the plan offers a detailed roadmap for end-use electrification, sustainable electricity generation, and storage.
The Three Main Components: Electricity Demand, Supply, and Material Feasibility
The Master Plan Part 3 consists of three main components: Electricity Demand, Electricity Supply, and Material Feasibility & Investment. The plan's primary objective is to forecast electricity demand in a fully electrified economy without fossil fuels, create a cost-effective electricity generation and storage portfolio, and determine the material needs and manufacturing investments required to enable such an economy.
Tesla's analysis concludes that a sustainable energy economy is technically feasible and would require less investment and material extraction than the current unsustainable energy system. The plan pushes the boundaries of thinking about material intensity, manufacturing capacity, and investment required for a worldwide transition across all energy sectors.
The document also provides insights into the current global energy supply, with 37% lost during extraction, refining, and transformation. Furthermore, 27% of energy is lost through inefficient end-uses like internal combustion engine vehicles and natural gas furnaces. Only 36% of the primary energy supply is actually utilized for productive work or heat in the economy.
Embracing the Potential of a Sustainable Global Energy Economy
Tesla's Master Plan Part 3 envisions a future where most upstream losses related to mining, refining, and burning fuels are eliminated, as well as downstream losses from non-electric end-uses. The plan outlines six steps to fully electrify the economy and eliminate fossil fuel use, including repowering the existing grid with renewables and switching to electric vehicles.
The analysis acknowledges that some industrial processes will require increased energy input and mining/refining activity (such as green hydrogen production and battery materials). Still, these drawbacks are outweighed by the benefits of an electrified, sustainable energy economy.
Despite being based on US energy data, the Master Plan Part 3 has broader implications for the global energy market, and it considers onshore/offshore wind, solar, existing nuclear, and hydro as sustainable electricity generation sources. However, it does not address carbon dioxide sequestration from past fossil fuel combustion, which could impact future energy demand.
Tesla's release of Master Plan Part 3 has set the stage for a groundbreaking shift in the energy landscape, challenging industries, governments, and individuals to reimagine the future of energy and embrace the potential of a sustainable global economy.
After canceling the in-house wrap program for the Cybertruck last month, Tesla has reintroduced the program with a lot of changes. Let’s take a look at the original program, then we’ll dive into what’s changed.
Tesla began the wrap program for the Model 3 and Model Y in the fall of 2023. With the arrival of the Cybertruck, Tesla launched Matte Black and Satin White options for the Cybertruck and later added 11 more colors.
Tesla initially offered high-quality PPF (Paint Protection Film) wraps, which protect the paint in addition to changing the color of the vehicle. PPF is thicker than traditional vinyl wraps, but the material costs more and is more time-consuming to apply.
Tesla’s updated program switches away from PPF wraps and now offers traditional vinyl wraps at a cheaper price. This makes Tesla’s wrap service more comparable to third-party installers.
Correction: We initially reported that the new wrap program offered PPF rather than vinyl and that the program was only available for new deliveries.
New Wrap Prices
First things first - the price of the wraps has dropped considerably, mostly due to the change away from PPF. While these prices are still a little more expensive than what you could find at a third-party location, you have the advantage of getting it directly from Tesla.
Vehicle
Original Cost
New Cost
Cybertruck
$8,000
$4,500
Model 3 / Model Y
$6,500
$4,000
Model S / Model X
Not available
Not available
Tesla initially offered 11 wrap colors, but that selection has now been reduced to eight per vehicle. Interestingly, the color options vary by model—Model 3 and Model Y owners have their own distinct palette. The Cybertruck also boasts its own unique set of colors, though unfortunately, the popular Satin White option is absent from its catalog.
Of course, the ever-popular Matte Black is still available, along with a fairly unique set of other vivid colors.
New Locations
Not a Tesla App
When the wrap program launched, it was limited to just three locations in California and one location in Texas. That meant that unless you were taking delivery at West Covina, Oceanside, Costa Mesa, or Santa Clara, you’d be unable to get a first-party wrap done by Tesla.
Under the new program, Tesla is offering wraps out of all the original locations and adding Seattle, Washington. What initially seemed like Tesla scaling back its wrap service has turned out to be them making it more affordable and efficient. While the switch to vinyl may disappoint some owners, in reality, a lot of owners probably didn’t know the difference between PPF and vinyl, making Tesla’s service seem disproportionally more expensive.
No Longer New Purchases Only
While the original wrap program was constrained to new vehicle purchases—you can now have Tesla wrap a vehicle that’s already been delivered. Paint damage and scuffs can impact the installation of wraps and require additional time to smooth out the vehicle surface, and most third-party installers charge additional fees to prepare the surface.
Tesla doesn’t appear to be charging any additional surface prep fees at this time and is able to install on any Model 3, Model Y, or Cybertruck that’s been delivered after 2023.
Either way, with cheaper wrap options, Tesla is now directly competing against third-party wrap shops. While it’s still a bit more expensive than you’d find elsewhere, it also comes with a level of care and precision from technicians intimately familiar with your vehicle.
For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.
Price Increase
The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.
The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series.
The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.
Free Lifetime Supercharging
For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.
There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.
We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.
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