Tesla: Model 3 and Model Y temporarily without USB-C ports

The current chip shortage is not only having a negative impact on consumer electronics. You not only have to wait in vain for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, but also for a new automobile. The reason for this is that modern cars have lots of electronics and semiconductors. In order to meet the increasing demand, some car manufacturers are now pulling the ripcord and cutting back on some equipment elements. Tesla, for example, wants to do away with USB ports on its two affordable Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the future.

Fewer features in favor of shorter delivery time

Anyone who currently wants to order a new car has to put up with long waiting times. Ten months and more until delivery are increasingly the rule rather than the exception. The reason is the shortage of valuable semiconductors. In order not to alienate potential customers and to avoid an exodus to the competition, more and more companies are therefore opting for slightly slimmed-down features to enable faster production. Tesla is doing this by doing away with USB ports and the inductive charging cradle in its Model 3 and Model Y.

This is not a first in the automotive industry. BMW, for example, has also announced it will forgo the touchscreen in its production in light of the chip shortage (we reported). Unlike the traditional German company, however, the e-car manufacturer’s customers were not informed about the move in advance. As a result, many vehicles were delivered to their new owners without them even being informed of the downsizing. The reasoning may be understandable. But the procedure lacks a healthy measure of communication.

Practical features fall away

Anyone who has ever sat in a Tesla knows that physical buttons and other extensive features are rather scarce here. The absence of the USB-C ports on the back and the inductive charging cradle is therefore quite noticeable. Especially since they also remove an important added value of the vehicle. Particularly for smartphones, it then becomes gloomy. Both the USB ports and the charging cradle have always been the perfect way to charge your smartphone while driving. Considering the fact that you are in an e-car with a gigantic battery, this is also obvious.

Should you have received your Tesla Model 3 or Model Y before Nov. 6, 2021, you can breathe a sigh of relief. According to the e-car manufacturer, the last vehicle with USB-C ports and charging cradle was delivered on this day. On the other hand, anyone who received a vehicle from the U.S. automaker on or after Nov. 11, 2021, should definitely take a look inside and behind the center console. Since then, the Teslas are delivered namely only without corresponding ports.

Promised is promised

Of course, Tesla does not want to leave its customers out in the cold with inadequately equipped vehicles. Instead, the missing elements are to be retrofitted at a later date. This stands and falls with the future situation on the chip market. Tesla itself sounds quite optimistic in this regard. They want to be able to offer customers a date for retrofitting as early as December.   Whether this is actually the case is highly questionable. After all, the company has not yet commented on this action in writing. Moreover, it is commonly known that December in particular is an extremely stressful and busy month for the iconic e-car manufacturer. We are curious.