Connectivity in the age of EVs is one of the most telling features of the future of transport. Tesla has been at the forefront of this but now has reduced lifetime standard connectivity to eight years.
All Tesla EVs in the past have with mobile connectivity hardware with a standard connectivity plan. This allowed for navigation on the big 15” landscape screen found on all Tesla Model 3 and Model Y EVs.
This was available for the lifetime of the vehicle – until last week.
Now, any new Tesla purchased from July 20, 2022 will only come with standard connectivity for the first eight years.
New text on the Tesla Connectivity page says: “Standard Connectivity is included in your vehicle, at no additional cost, for eight years beginning on the first day your vehicle was delivered as new by Tesla, or the first day it is put into service (for example used as a demonstrator or service vehicle), whichever comes first.
“If you are purchasing a used vehicle, you will be notified of how long your vehicle will include access to Standard Connectivity.”
With standard connectivity, most of the premium connectivity features can be accessed over Wifi hotspot in Australia too. An upgraded version, known as the premium connectivity was launched in Australia back in April 2020.
The premium version allows for upgraded navigation features, web browsing, video and music streaming using the mobile network that the car is connected to without the need for hotspotting.
At the time of launch, it was priced at $16.99 per month but after listening to Australian owners feedback, it’s been $9.99 per month ever since.
As for what happens after eight years? It’s unclear at this point in time but Tesla does state on their connectivity page:
“As additional features and services become available in the future, you will have the opportunity to upgrade your connectivity plan.”
In my experience, most Tesla owners in Australia do use the paid premium connectivity plan because of the value it offers.
This change will impact customers of used Tesla down the track but Tesla may offer another connectivity option when that happens.
The Driven has contacted Tesla, which does not have an official PR department, to determine if cars ordered before July 20, 2022, will still have lifetime connectivity. We will update this article if more information comes to hand.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.