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“Elon is Picking Up My Fuel Tab Forever:” YouTuber Scores Rare Tesla With Even Rarer Perk

The classic Model S still has some decent performance.

EV.com Staff

July 1, 2025 | Updated 11:07, July 1, 2025

2 min read

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Veteran auto journalist and YouTuber Johnny Smith has snapped up a 2016 Tesla Model S P90D for just under 70,000 Swedish kronor (about $7,300 USD) at auction. The kicker? The used luxury EV still includes Tesla’s once-coveted lifetime free Supercharging, making the deal a rare and valuable find nearly a decade after the car debuted with a $137,000 price tag.

Minor issue scared off bidders, but it didn’t faze expert buyers

The high-performance Model S, which sprints from 0–100 km/h in just over three seconds and has a range of 320 kilometers (199 miles), had racked up 266,000 miles when it went under the hammer. According to Smith, the vehicle’s low price was likely due to a fault that spooked potential buyers. However, he and a friend immediately recognized that the issue was minor and easily repairable.

After securing the car, the pair brought it to a specialist who resolved the problem without much hassle. “It rolls, can be driven and charges well,” Smith said in a video posted on his YouTube channel The Late Brake Show. His joy was evident. “We both knew that the problem was not as serious as it first appeared,” he said in his video.

Free fuel for life thanks to Elon’s early incentives

The Model S P90D is part of the original Tesla fleet sold between 2012 and 2017 that came bundled with lifetime free Supercharging, a perk that got discontinued as Tesla scaled production. These early units have become increasingly sought after on the secondhand market, especially as energy prices rise and fast-charging infrastructure expands.

Smith considers the acquisition a long-term win, both as a driver and collector. “Elon covers my fuel costs,” he joked, referencing the rare benefit that now covers his charging costs indefinitely.

Watch Johnny Smith’s video on his Tesla Model S P90D below.

EV.com tracks the evolving EV collector space and performance electric vehicles hitting the market. Explore our listings to find the best EVs in your area available today.


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