Detroit - Electric automaker Tesla says it will end free use of its worldwide charging station network.
The company says cars ordered after January 1, 2017 will get roughly 1600km worth of credits at the supercharging stations. After credits are used, owners will have to pay fees. Cars ordered or sold on or before January 1 would still get free charging.
New fees
Tesla didn't specify the fees but says charging would cost less than the price of filling a comparable petrol car. The company says it will release fee details later this year. It says prices could fluctuate over time and vary by regional electricity costs.
This means that free charging won't apply to the $35 000 Model 3, which is due to enter production in the second half of 2017.