Michał Gapiński (@mikegapinski), the software engineer and tinkerer behind the Tesla Android project that unofficially brings Apple CarPlay to any Tesla's touchscreen in the continued absence of an official implementation, recently took on a DIY project where he successfully transplanted the new, much-improved wireless phone charging pad from the new six-seat Model Y L into a refreshed Model Y Premium.
Tesla's wireless phone chargers have long been a pain point for owners. We previously took an in-depth look at the current chargers (and everything that’s wrong with them), but here’s the gist: the wireless phone charging pad in your typical 2025-or-later Model Y is good for up to 15 watts of output, but without anything to hold the phone perfectly in place over the charging pad, the power transfer is inefficient. It usually sits in the ballpark of 5W of actual charging speed, with most of the untransferred energy wasted as heat. These charging pads aren't actively cooled, causing the phone to heat up the longer it sits on the pad and involuntarily signing you up for a game of hot potato when you next pick it up.
The Model Y L’s Air-Cooled Phone Charger
The new wireless charging pad in the Model Y L fixes at least one of those problems by actively cooling your phone. It has a pair of fans on the back (one for each charging station), as well as accompanying vents that blast air against the back and sides of the phone.
The active cooling prevents your phone from burning up, allowing it to sustain wireless charging speeds of up to 50W. Oh, yeah — in addition to having active cooling, the wireless charging pad in the Model Y L also has a peak charging rate that's more than 3x higher than the one currently in the Model Y. It still doesn't adopt the Qi2 or Apple MagSafe standards, so there aren't any magnets to perfectly align the copper coil inside your phone with the charging element, but it's a definitive improvement over the old design.
Installation and Compatibility
Gapiński was able to install the Model Y L wireless charger into his Model Y, and it's a perfect fit for the Juniper refresh's center console. Sharing his experience on X, he noted:
"The retrofit worked, no issues. First Model Y with a cooled wireless charger! No QI2/faster charging on the iPhone but it does not boil the phone even when it is 30 degrees outside." Here’s what the mod looks like in action:
While fitting it was easy since both parts use an identical connector, Gapiński cautioned that programming it to work after installation wasn’t. Tesla’s official diagnostics and repair software, Toolbox, wouldn’t let him code the part replacement. Instead, it took him a while to get it working through brute force, but he's offered to remotely program the retrofit for anyone who chooses to go down the same path.
The OEM wireless charging pad part for the Model Y L costs less than $200 USD in China. Gapiński noted that the retrofit is only possible on Juniper Model Ys (early 2025 and later deliveries), but not the entry-level Standard variant. Both the Premium and Performance trims should be compatible. Model Ys from before the Juniper refresh have a different center console, meaning the Model Y L charging pad simply won't fit. He added that it might also be compatible with the "Highland" refresh Model 3, adding, "I'll take a look at the Highland next, if the OEM charger has the same PN as the Y it should fit.”
Global Expansion of the Model Y L
The Model Y L debuted in China last summer, starting at 339,000 yuan (about $50,000 USD). It is Tesla’s first true family-focused SUV, featuring a longer wheelbase than the standard Model Y for a stretched body with comfortable seating for six in a 2-2-2 layout. It also has a larger 16-inch central touchscreen (much like the Juniper refresh) and a softer, comfort-first suspension. The Model Y L’s wheelbase is 150mm (5.9 inches) longer than the standard Model Y, and it is 179mm (7 inches) longer overall.
After being exclusive to the Chinese market for months, the Model Y L is progressively making its way to markets across the globe. A U.S. launch is expected over the coming months, with the longer wheelbase Model Y variant recently spotted track-testing at Tesla's Fremont factory in California.
As the Model Y L launches in more countries, parts availability will improve as well, making it easier for Model Y owners to retrofit the new and improved wireless phone charger into their vehicles. However, given how much of an upgrade the Model Y L charger is over the regular one and customer demand for it, we might just see Tesla add it to new Model Y builds soon as part of a mid-cycle refresh, especially once Model Y L production begins in the U.S. in earnest.
