Tesla updates Model S software

American electric car company Tesla has announced a software update for its Model S.

The company claims the revision will reduce range anxiety by more thoroughly detailing charging station information to the driver, saying it will now be virtually impossible for a Tesla owner to unintentionally run out of range.

The free update is transmitted to the car automatically when the car is parked and aims to improve not only the navigation system's effectiveness, but also the issue of congestion at charging stations by omitting in-range 'busy' or inactive sites from the list. It will also seek to eliminate routes affected by severe topography and even wind speed in real time to further improve efficiency.

Once charged the Model S will message its owner via a smartphone app. It's said that Supercharger sites – which operate free-of-charge to Tesla owners – can recharge a Model S fully in 20-30 minutes.

Tesla says its charging network has grown to cover "virtually the entire US and Canadian population" within the past few years, as well as most of western Europe. It will continue to expand its navigation-based charging infrastructure in coming years to include China, Japan and southern Australia.

In addition to the software upgrade, Tesla has also announced the availability of extra safety equipment for the Model S. New driver assistance technologies are now enabled, including auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, side collision warning (forward collision warning is already standard) and a Valet Mode which limits vehicle speed, access to the 'frunk' and the availability of personal information via the vehicle's centre screen.

Minor ancillary updates also include an improvement in audio codec for improved sound quality, sharper radio tuning and refinements to the Model S' active cruise control system.

In Australia, the Tesla Model S is available from $96,208 (plus on-road costs).