Tesla Superchargers are widely distributed, so Model 3 pilots rarely need access to third-party chargers. Still, CEO Elon Musk promised that the EV would be CHAdeMO compatible when it launched, and that was two years ago. It might be a case of timing — Tesla is about to start Model 3 deliveries in Japan, where CHAdeMO charging reigns supreme.

Tesla Model 3 with a CCS port

Most DC chargers across North America are compatible with the CCS and CHAdeMO systems. However, while Tesla uses CHAdeMO stateside, it has switched to CCS (shown above) in Europe since it’s the most common standard there. That switch has led to hopes that Musk might one day open up its exclusive Supercharger network to other EV manufacturers.

The third-party DC chargers are limited to 50kW compared to 150kW max for a Supercharger, but if you happen to be in the sticks without a Supercharger in sight, it’s 100 percent better than nothing. As Tesla points out, except for rare cases, DC chargers usually require a subscription and are generally more costly than Superchargers. So, if you plan to use CHAdeMO with firms like Electrify America or ChargePoint, you’ll likely need to sign up and, if possible, confirm everything works before you leave.

Tesla said in its request the battery cells are used to power the Model 3 as well as in its energy storage systems, such as the Powerwall and Powerpack. “Tesla is the only US manufacturer of these battery types and planned production of these batteries will increase exponentially over the next few years,” it wrote, according to Reuters.

In its response, the department agreed the aluminum Tesla needs is “not produced in the United States in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or of a satisfactory quality.” The waiver is good for a year.

The workaround allows customers to take advantage of the $5,000 EV incentive.The Tesla Model 3 has been too expensive to qualify for the federal EV incentive in Canada due to the restrictions the Canadian government has in place. In order for a consumer to take advantage of the $5,000 rebate up for grabs, a car must have an MSRP lower than $45,000 (Canadian). The total price with options has to come in under $55,000, too. Up until now, the cheapest Model 3 available in Canada was $47,000 — this one is the equivalent to our $35,000 (U.S.) Standard Range model that isn’t available for ordering on Tesla’s website. It’s not available to order via Tesla’s Canada website, either. However, a new bulletin from the company suggests Tesla has found a way to skirt around Canada’s price rules.

Apparently, Tesla is changing the Model 3 Standard Range to a software-limited 93-mile range vehicle that starts at $44,999, just $1 under the $45,000 limit set by Canada. Since its base price is under $45,000, then the Standard Range Plus also qualifies for the $5,000 incentive. This vehicle starts at $53,700, and is available for ordering via Tesla’s website. Because it’s considered a trim level of the Model 3 “Standard Range” and comes in under $55,000, Tesla and Canada say it’s good for the $5,000 EV incentive. The $53,700 base price is no different than what was listed before this revelation, but after the incentive it’s down to $48,700.

If you’re still laughing at the 93-mile Standard Range vehicle now available in Canada, we don’t blame you. Of course, we’re sure Tesla doesn’t expect anybody to buy and live with a 93-mile Model 3 for any length of time, but it sure is wild that the car is technically orderable via the phone or Tesla store.

Tesla has previously done some tinkering with pricing in response to German regulations after objecting to that country’s EV incentive price cap. But this one takes the cake as the cleverest/sneakiest of them all. Canada’s intent with the rule is to make sure it isn’t just handing out money to very wealthy folks to buy electric cars, and Tesla has found a way to push it as far as possible. Tesla’s workaround appears to be functional for now, and at the speed that governments typically move, we don’t imagine things will be changing too quickly.

To make that easier to stomach, Tesla has also introduced leasing. US customers can choose from 10,000, 12,000 and 15,000 mile annual usage options, depending on their budgets and driving. Interestingly, Tesla said lease customers won’t get the option to buy back their vehicles at the end of the term, because “with full autonomy coming in the future via an over-their-air software update, we plan to use those vehicles in the Tesla ride-hailing network,” Tesla wrote.

Tesla is not only trying discourage customers from buying the base $35k Model 3, it wants to make it as easy as possible to upgrade. It will be software limited to a 220 mile range, and music streaming, navigation and heated seats will be software disabled. That means if customers change their minds, they can upgrade to a $39,500 Standard Plus model any time by paying the the difference and getting an over-the-air software update.

Given the popularity of the Standard Plus relative to the Standard, we have made the decision to simplify our production operations to better optimize cost, minimize complexity and streamline operations. As a result, Model 3 Standard will now be a software-limited version of the Standard Plus, and we are taking it off the online ordering menu, which just means that to get it, customers will need to call us or visit any one of the several hundred Tesla stores. Deliveries of Model 3 Standard will begin this weekend.

Tesla’s long-range, rear-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 will also be unavailable to order online. “We’re making these changes to ensure that our online order process is focused exclusively on the three Model 3 variants customers want most,” it said.

CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla would “die” by selling the cheapest Model 3 version too soon. The company seemed to pull that off through a series of cost-cutting measures, including closing stores and laying off employees. However, it quickly backtracked on closing the stores, electing to raise prices instead. Many customers said that their $35,000 Model 3 deliveries were delayed, and that Tesla tried to upsell them on pricier options.

Tesla seems confident about its self-driving plans, judging by the leasing comments, but many other automakers are less optimistic. Ford CEO Jim Hackett said yesterday that “we overestimated the arrival of autonomous vehicles,” because “the problem is so complex.”

Tesla is adding more free games to the dashboard display on Model S, Model X and Model 3 cars. Super Breakout and 2048 are joining other Atari classics Missile Command, Asteroids, Lunar Lander and Centipede, which Tesla added in August. To date, hundreds of thousands of people have played those games, according to the automaker.

This makes a certain amount of sense, as EVs are much less maintenance intensive than regular vehicles. That’s because electric motors have no fluids, nor the thousands of moving parts of a gas motor. They also lack transmissions, packing just a single reduction gear. On top of that, much of the breaking is done by a regenerative system that recharges the batteries, reducing wear and tear on brake pads and lines. Finally, Tesla’s app keeps track of service issues and can notify the owner when repairs are needed.

Tesla’s motives may go beyond that, though. The company has reportedly struggled to keep up with service after production increased dramatically with the launch of the Model 3. By reducing scheduled maintenance, it may reduce wait times, albeit possibly at the cost of some revenue.

Annual maintenance used to include a complete inspection, with technicians scouring logs and replacing wiper blades, air filters and even key fob batteries. Now, it simply recommends periodic servicing or replacement of the cabin air filter, particulate air (HEPA) filter, tires, brake fluid, air conditioning and winter care. Tesla will reportedly stop offering prepaid maintenance plans, but will honor any previously sold.

Consumers will no doubt take into account the reduction in maintenance particularly if they’re considering more complex, service-heavy ICE or hybrid vehicles. Tesla implemented the new policy sometime in the last month, but it’s not clear exactly when, so Engadget has reached out for more details.

We’ve asked Tesla if it can comment on the decision.

There are a few potential explanations for the move. Electrek noted that Tesla added the Mid Range option in October of last year as a way of lowering the price for pre-order customers who wanted to take advantage of the full EV tax credit without splurging on a Long Range variant. With the starter car available, it’s not necessary to get a more affordable vehicle. The company is also on a perpetual quest to streamline production. With one less trim level to worry about, Tesla might stand a better chance of ramping up base Model 3 production and getting the machine into the hands of waiting drivers.

The company isn’t shy about the reason for the additional wait time: demand. In a statement to Electrek, a spokesperson said Tesla sometimes tweaked delivery times “based on order volume.” In other words, it took about a week for interest to outstrip expected supply.

This isn’t a complete surprise. Tesla may have started taking orders for the starter Model 3 in February, but Elon Musk later warned that large-scale production wouldn’t be ready until the middle of 2019. Even so, it’s a confirmation that there’s pent-up demand for the lower-cost vehicle. If there’s a challenge for the company, it’s catching up to that demand while keeping the new customers pouring in.