Tesla remotely extends range of vehicles to help with Hurricane Irma evacuations

Some Florida Tesla owners were surprised to see their vehicles were granted extended range capabilities thanks to an over-the-air update quietly pushed out by the company in advance of Hurricane Irma's arrival.

In an effort to streamline production, Tesla includes the same batteries in many of its models, but charges an additional fee to "unlock" the higher available capacity. Customers with the lower 60 kilowatt-hour range, which the company no longer offers in favor of higher options, were upgraded to the battery's full 75 kWh potential through a software update this week.

A Tesla spokesperson confirmed to FLORIDA TODAY that certain vehicles in the area were temporarily updated to help with evacuations.

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While the jump from 60 to 70 kWh isn't astronomical, the boost does allow Floridians with the Model S sedan, for example, to achieve about 230 miles of range at highway speeds with air conditioning use.

Florida drivers will have access to the expanded capacity until Sept. 16.

Tesla's proprietary charging network includes about 20 Supercharger stations, which rapidly charge Model S, X and 3 vehicles, throughout Florida. The California-based company is building nearly a dozen more in the state, including one on the Space Coast in West Melbourne.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook at @EmreKelly.