The TeslaModel S sparked a revolution that reshaped the automotive industry more than a decade ago. Since then, Tesla has built 10 million EVs and grown into America’s dominant EV brand. But alongside those achievements has come growing criticism over missed promises. This time, the disappointment involves the new Model Y L. Despite advertising an upgraded, actively cooled wireless charging pad to address customer complaints, U.S. buyers won’t actually get it.
A Small Upgrade That Solved A Big Problem
Tesla
Some of the most common complaints Tesla owners have include subpar build quality, questionable long-term reliability, software glitches, suspension wear, and self-driving hiccups. But one complaint that often flies under the radar is the company’s 15W wireless charging pad, which can cause smartphones to overheat during charging.
When Tesla introduced the three-row Model Y L in China last year, it finally appeared to have solved that issue with a new 50W wireless charging pad featuring active cooling. Alongside the extra seating, the Model Y L also brings numerous premium upgrades that help justify its hefty $61,990 starting price. Yet, the cooled charging pad remained one of the electric SUV’s most talked-about features.
U.S. Buyers Don’t Get What Tesla Promised
Introducing Model Y Long Wheelbase – now available in the US & Puerto Rico
A 3-row, 6-seat configuration that brings exceptional interior space with ample headroom & legroom for all passengers
0-60 in 4.4 seconds
325 miles of range– Front row: Heated/ventilated seats w/… pic.twitter.com/1qFjt1bzkT
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 2, 2026
Just over a month ago, Tesla launched the Model Y L in the United States and Puerto Rico, listing the actively cooled charging pad as one of the vehicle’s headline features. However, the automaker has since gone back on its word, confirming that the SUV will instead use the same wireless charger found in other U.S.-market Teslas, like the standard Model Y.
Tesla reportedly said the upgraded hardware isn’t arriving because North America has yet to adopt the Qi2 wireless charging standard fully. Yet, Apple devices from the iPhone 12 and up, the Google Pixel 10, and Samsung Galaxy S25 all support Qi2 wireless charging, albeit not up to 50W necessarily. Obviously, that explanation hasn’t satisfied buyers, especially since the Chinese-market Model Y L already includes the feature.
Another Blow To Customer Trust
Tesla
The missing charging pad may sound minor, but it adds to a laundry list of frustrations surrounding Tesla. Rivals, including the upcoming midsize Lucid SUV and numerous Chinese competitors, continue raising the bar for premium EVs.
Removing a promised feature like the updated wireless charging pad is an unnecessary own goal. Tesla was once known for setting industry trends and being widely revered. Today, maintaining customer trust increasingly depends on delivering the features it promises, a task Tesla seems to struggle with increasingly by the day.
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