Tesla is known for constant over-the-air software updates which helps keep things fresh for existing owners. Rarely does the brand do the same with hardware upgrades.
However, Tesla in China has now added a new hardware upgrade for existing Tesla Model Y owners in the country which will add ambient lighting to the interior of their car.
For under $A275, owners can now purchase an “Ambient Lighting” pack from Tesla China’s online store. This will add a light bar across the dash, offering up to 256 colours for owners to choose from.
On its online shop and as reported by Chinese EV enthusiast Xiaoteshushu on X, Tesla shares two angles of the light strip which runs in front of the dash panel.
Model Y Ambient Lighting retrofit in Chinese Tesla on-line shop.
¥ 1299, almost 180$ pic.twitter.com/axEBhRQ1ui
— xiaoteshushu (@xiaoteshushu) July 29, 2024
According to Tesla, the ambient lighting assembly is made of textile materials and will replace the existing dash trim.
The translated version of the upgrade states: “The dashboard trim made of technological textile materials and with a new multi-colour ambient light replaces the original Model Y wood grain dashboard trim.”
The second view showcases the lighting configuration menu in Tesla’s car screen user interface (UI). Here owners that choose to get this accessory installed by Tesla can choose a colour for the lights.
Interior lighting on recent Tesla vehicles was introduced with the launch of the refreshed Tesla Model 3 in the Australian market.
On Tesla’s local website, the brand describes the feature on the new Model 3 as: “Settle into an all-new interior, featuring a wraparound styling that cocoons you inside. Customise ambient lighting to make it your own.”
With deliveries of that vehicle beginning in late December, over 10,000 Teslas on Australian roads now have ambient lighting as standard.
Unlike the Model 3, the Model Y retrofit does not include ambient lighting along the door panels.
As of July this year, the Tesla Model Y does not incorporate this feature although it is available as standard for Tesla’s best-selling car in China.
Pricing of under $A275 seems quite reasonable given it includes installation of this hardware upgrade on compatible cars.
Speaking of compatibility, this upgrade is available for vehicles produced between 24 January 2022 and 1 October 2023 and is currently available only in China.
According to sales data within this period, over 30,000 Model Y vehicles were sold until the end of September 2023.
Although local availability is unclear at this stage, this hardware upgrade could be something that is offered in international markets in months to come.
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.