Tesla started shipping a new mobile connector with the Model 3 earlier this year.
Today, Tesla made the device – pictured above – its new standard mobile connector for all its vehicles and they are calling it “Gen 2”.
The new mobile connector was apparently only delivered with the Model 3, but it now comes with all of Tesla’s vehicles, according to the company’s website.
“This product is included as standard equipment with your Tesla vehicle, however, purchasing another Mobile Connector Bundle may provide extra convenience if you wish to keep one set at the home and carry another in the car.”
Those connectors are used for standard outlets and 240-volt outlets – mostly for overnight charging.
The kit bought separately is now only $300 – 40% cheaper than the previous version, which was itself made cheaper last year when Tesla slightly updated the design.
It comes a with 20 ft cable, a NEMA 14-50 Adapter, and a NEMA 5-15 Adapter. With the 14-50 adapter, the new connector is limited to a max output of 32 amps versus 40 amps for the last generation connector.
The design is fairly similar to the previous version.
Electrek’s Take
It’s impressive how much cheaper Tesla’s charging connectors are compared to other products on the market – especially for their capacity.
At $500, Tesla’s Wall Connector is by far the cheapest option for a 80-amp station and now this next-gen mobile connector is also unbeatable at this new price.
Last year, CTO JB Straubel claimed that Tesla is becoming “one of the biggest manufacturers of power electronics in the world” between all its charging equipment and inverters for its cars and charging stations:
“Power electronics is something that is really something quite core to Tesla. And something we see as a really strong competency of ours –most people don’t realize it but Tesla is one of the biggest manufacturers of power electronics in the world. If you look at all the charging equipment in the cars, the inverters that run the motors in the cars. Something we see a lot potential – we see an interesting and lucrative opportunity if we can more aggressively innovate and integrate that with storage.”
The volume is likely helping the price, but the fact that Tesla has its own plug and doesn’t use the standard J1772, which requires licensing fees, is likely also an important factor in Tesla’s low prices.
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
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