Tesla Model S, X Now Only Sells with Key Cards

Tesla Model S and X now only sell with key cards, which ditches the physical key fobs upon delivery.

But despite that, the giant electric vehicle (EV) maker owned by Elon Musk still offers key fobs separately.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during the unveiling of the new Tesla Model Y in Hawthorne, California on March 14, 2019. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

Tesla Model S, X Now Only Comes with Key Cards

The all-electric automaker, Tesla, apparently introduced its highly popular EVs, the Model S and Model X, with key fobs as a standard inclusion upon purchase. It gave its customers a physical "key" to open the doors and start the vehicle like how most cars these days do.

But on top of the key fob, Tesla also allows its EV owners to use their smartphones via its mobile app to easily open and operate its vehicles, such as the Model 3, Model Y, and Model S.

However, there are some cases wherein mobile devices are unavailable, whether Tesla owners lost them or their battery drained.

And as such, that's where the Tesla Key Card comes in.

The EV maker provides another alternative that allows its customer to open the doors and start their vehicles other than the key fob, a physical key card.

Essentially, it works like how hotel key cards give customers access to their rooms, as its name suggests.

Tesla says on its website that "Key Cards are convenient for when your phone is not accessible, out of battery or if someone else needs temporary access, such as a valet."

Tesla Model S, X Now Only Sells with Key Cards — How to Get Key Fob — MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: People look at a Tesla Model Y electric vehicle on a showroom floor at the Miami Design District on October 21, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Tesla reported $1.6 billion in profits for the months of July, August, and September, a record for them. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

And this time, Tesla has started ditching the key fobs in favor of its Key Card on Tesla Model 3 and Model Y EVs.

According to a recent report by Drive Tesla Canada, the EV maker giant has notified its vehicle owners that the change applies to new deliveries after July 1, 2022.

Tesla Key Fobs: Why Was it Removed?

Inside EVs says in its report that Tesla initially debuted its Model 3 sedan in 2017 without any key fobs upon deliveries. And back then, the EV maker reportedly did so to save a few bucks in manufacturing the vehicle.

However, in 2019, the renowned automaker surrendered and decided to bring key fobs to its Model 3 sedan.

Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder, Musk, explained the move in 2019, saying that the EV maker still needs to give its owners "a normal key."

But this time, Tesla has stopped selling the Model X and Y with key fobs, and here's why:

Drive Tesla Canada discloses that the automaker said in an internal email that most of its customers actually use their phones as a key. And what's more, Tesla reportedly ditched the key fob altogether to also lessen its e-waste.