ARKANSAS, Oct 30 (Future Headlines)- In May of this year, Tesla informed numerous Model S and Model X owners in Australia that their vehicle orders had been canceled due to the company’s decision to discontinue production for right-hand-drive markets. Now, Tesla is extending an opportunity to legacy Model S and Model X owners to upgrade the battery packs in their older vehicles for improved range.

The upgrade options were first reported by a Tesla owner and reader of The Driven, known as Nash, and shared on Twitter. Owners of Model S and Model X vehicles equipped with the 75 kWh battery pack now have the choice to upgrade to either a 90 kWh or 100 kWh battery pack.

The cost of these battery pack upgrades is $27,000 for the 90 kWh option and $45,000 for the 100 kWh pack. For instance, the 7-seater Model X owner Nash mentioned that he expects the range of his vehicle to improve by more than 130 km, potentially reaching close to 440 km, compared to the current 75 kWh battery pack, which delivers about 309 km.

Owners who originally had to supercharge for the lifetime of their vehicle will retain that benefit after the upgraded battery pack is installed. This feature makes it more appealing for owners to retain their vehicles long-term, especially considering Tesla’s continuous expansion of its supercharging network.

Interested owners can request the battery upgrade through the Tesla app, although availability may vary for the 90 kWh or 100 kWh battery packs. In 2017, the Model S 75D had an initial driveaway price of $155,909 and boasted a claimed range of over 466 km. This model could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 5.4 seconds, a commendable feat considering its curb weight of 2,140 kg.

The Model X 75D, available with 5 or 7 seats, had a starting price of $125,000 before accounting for any incentives or the luxury car tax in 2016. It offered a claimed range of 417 km. This large SUV also featured a drivetrain that enabled it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 210 km/h.

Since Tesla has ceased offering the Model S and Model X for purchase in all right-hand-drive markets, the company is now extending the opportunity to upgrade existing vehicles. This approach allows interested owners to enhance their vehicle’s range without the need to purchase a completely new one.

This battery upgrade option aligns with Tesla’s commitment to improving the offerings for its legacy vehicle owners and could prove advantageous for those looking to increase their vehicle’s range while retaining their unlimited supercharging benefits. As Tesla’s supercharger network continues to expand, the benefits of retaining these privileges become even more appealing to vehicle owners across the country.

Writing by Alireza Sabet; Editing by Sarah White