Xpeng scaled back its 3,000 kWh per year free charging entitlements to 1,000 kWh on August 1 of last year, and now they're getting scrapped altogether.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

In addition to the rumored upcoming price hikes, Xpeng Motors (NYSE: XPEV, HKG: 9868) is also reportedly eliminating its free charging benefits for consumers altogether.

Xpeng began offering consumers the benefits of 3,000-kilowatt hours of free charging per year for new vehicle purchases on September 1, 2020.

On August 1 of last year, Xpeng reduced the 3,000-kWh annual free credit to 1,000 kWh, which the company said at the time was to ensure that the Xpeng supercharger system would provide better and more sustainable replenishment services to customers.

However, the 1,000 kWh of free charging currently available to consumers will be eliminated at the end of this month, automotive media outlet Auto Time said today, citing Xpeng salespeople.

At the current rate for Xpeng-branded superchargers, the 1,000-kWh free charging entitlement means owners can save about 900 yuan ($142) a year on charging costs, the report noted.

Earlier today, several local media outlets reported that Xpeng's full lineup of models will see price increases starting March 21, with the flagship sedan P7 going up by RMB 20,000 and the P5 sedan and G3i SUV both going up by RMB 10,000.

Auto Time also reported on Xpeng's plan, citing the company's sales staff as saying that this is mainly due to the increase in the price of raw materials, especially batteries.

The cost of batteries has almost doubled, and the price increase is higher for the P7 because of its larger battery capacity, a salesperson said.

The industry is currently facing a tight supply of chips and price increases for various resource items, so Xpeng has also had to raise vehicle prices, Auto Time quoted an employee of the company as saying.