Tesla scraps its referral programs for everything but solar roof

Earning 1,000 miles of free Supercharging is no longer possible, according to the Tesla website.

For several years, when someone bought a Tesla electric vehicle through a referral, both the referred customer and referrer were rewarded with 1,000 miles worth of free fast charging on the Tesla Supercharger network. Solar panel referrals could bring in as much as $500 cash. One Supercharger session typically fills up, say a standard Tesla Model 3 battery, for about $25.

As of Saturday, Tesla scrapped that program for car and solar panel purchases. The only reward is now $500 for a solar roof referral. EV publication Electrek reported that a revamped vehicle referral program is expected to be unveiled soon.

The Tesla referral page explains that rewards for car referrals will be eligible for the charging perk only if the car was ordered by Friday, Sept. 17. Any later and you just helped Tesla make another sale out of the kindness of your heart.

Tesla's referral program has changed over the years and was completely decimated in 2019. When it returned, it was a shadow of its former self with pared-back rewards. The company used to throw in extra gifts like toy Teslas for kids and Elon Musk-signed wall connectors.

The end of Tesla rewards comes as charging network EVgo started a loyalty program for charging electric vehicles at its public stations. For every 2,000 points earned, customers will get a free fast charging session worth $10. You earn five points for every dollar spent at EVgo.

Then there's Tesla rival Rivian, which is about to launch its first electric pickup truck, the R1T. The EV startup also kicked off a membership program with complimentary charging on its network and other perks in recent days, but there's no mention of referral bonuses yet.