Tesla announces infinite mile warranty for Model S EV drive system
Tesla is looking once again to revolutionize the industry, now with an infinite mile warranty for the Model S’s electric drive system.
In their latest press release, the Tesla Model S’s 85-kWh setup gets the “infinite” mile warranty, versus the previous policy’s four years or 50,000 miles. This basically means the policy also protects the system for as many miles as one could put on a Tesla Model S 85-kWh in the span of eight years. Tesla even says that the warranty also applies to older models and will go as far as to honoring the warranty, no matter how many owners have had the car.
Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, also stated the “infinite” mile warranty is the original policy that should’ve been implemented in the first place: “If we truly believe that electric motors are fundamentally more reliable than gasoline engines, with far fewer moving parts and no oily residue or combustion byproducts to gum up the works, then our warranty policy should reflect that.”
For the press release, check it out after the jump.
Infinite Mile Warranty
The Tesla Model S drive unit warranty has been increased to match that of the battery pack. That means the 85 kWh Model S, our most popular model by far, now has an 8 year, infinite mile warranty on both the battery pack and drive unit. There is also no limit on the number of owners during the warranty period.
Moreover, the warranty extension will apply retroactively to all Model S vehicles ever produced. In hindsight, this should have been our policy from the beginning of the Model S program. If we truly believe that electric motors are fundamentally more reliable than gasoline engines, with far fewer moving parts and no oily residue or combustion byproducts to gum up the works, then our warranty policy should reflect that.
To investors in Tesla, I must acknowledge that this will have a moderately negative effect on Tesla earnings in the short term, as our warranty reserves will necessarily have to increase above current levels. This is amplified by the fact that we are doing so retroactively, not just for new customers. However, by doing the right thing for Tesla vehicle owners at this early stage of our company, I am confident that it will work out well in the long term.