Photo/Zhang Jian (NBD)

Tesla on Friday said it would offer new buyers of its top-selling electric vehicles in China a cash bonus equivalent to almost $500 and a 90-day free trial of EAP if they have a referral from an existing owner, deepening a price war in the world's largest market for EVs.

The referrer can enjoy a reward of 7,000 points, which can be exchanged for supercharging credits, children’s balance bikes, and other items.

On July 1st, Tesla announced through its official website and social media platforms that the new Model S/X incentive activity has officially begun. Users who purchase the new Model S/X can enjoy discounts ranging from RMB 35,000 to RMB 45,000. Among them, the Model S starts at RMB 773,900; the Model X starts at RMB 863,900.

It is worth noting that Tesla’s incentive for the new Model S/X is the most generous to date.

After taking into account discounts ranging from RMB 35,000 to RMB 45,000, the starting price of the Model S dual-motor all-wheel-drive version is RMB 773,900; the starting price of the Model S Plaid three-motor all-wheel-drive version is RMB 988,900; the starting price of the Model X dual-motor all-wheel-drive version is RMB 863,900; and the starting price of the Model X Plaid three-motor all-wheel-drive version is RMB 1.0139 million.

It is worth noting that while Tesla is distributing car purchase benefits, domestic policies are also continuously promoting the popularization of green travel. On June 21st, several ministries jointly issued an announcement on “Continuing and Optimizing the Policy of Exemption and Reduction of Vehicle Purchase Tax for New Energy Vehicles”. The policy of exemption and reduction of vehicle purchase tax for new energy vehicles will be extended to 2027. If you buy a Tesla before December 31st, 2023, all models in the S3XY series can enjoy full exemption from purchase tax, with a maximum savings of more than RMB 100,000.

Public data shows that Tesla delivered 93,680 new cars in China in June this year, an increase of 19% compared to last year’s delivery volume of 78,906 vehicles. It set a new high for Tesla’s delivery volume in China this year.

As of June this year, Tesla has more than 1,600 supercharging stations and more than 10,000 supercharging piles on the Chinese mainland. Tesla’s destination charging stations on the Chinese mainland have exceeded 700 stations and more than 2,000 destination charging piles. It has achieved full coverage of all provincial cities and municipalities directly under the central government in China.