Tesla to charge Model Y owners for extra range unlock

Elon Musk, the chief executive officer of Tesla, recently declared via Twitter that the organization has been producing and marketing the-

Image Credit: Google

Standard Range rear-wheel drive Model Y with an extended driving range of 260 miles.

Image Credit: Google

Elon Musk disclosed that Tesla intends to provide owners with the opportunity to access an extra 40–60-

Image Credit: Google

miles of overall range via a software update, contingent upon regulatory approval. The cost of the update will vary-

Image Credit: Google

from $1,500 to $2,000, contingent upon the battery configuration of the vehicle.

Image Credit: Google

This action is consistent with an emerging pattern in the automotive sector, wherein producers are-

Image Credit: Google

implementing software barriers to restrict access to pre-existing functionalities in their vehicles.

Image Credit: Google

In a previous project involving the Model S 70, wherein consumers could activate a 75 kWh battery for an additional charge, Tesla implemented a similar strategy.

Image Credit: Google

Additionally, Polestar and Mercedes-Benz have implemented software updates that improve the efficacy of-

Image Credit: Google

their electric vehicles; however, these updates come at an additional expense for the customer.

Image Credit: Google

In addition to performance enhancements, the practice of software-locking features has expanded to include heated seats and-

Image Credit: Google

CarPlay, which BMW considered for a time as paywall access. Consumers are concerned about this strategy, especially-

Image Credit: Google

considering Tesla's propensity to remotely disable paid-for features during the resale of one of its vehicles.

Image Credit: Google

The growing number of software-driven solutions in the automotive sector raises the question of how consumers will react to the emerging-

Image Credit: Google

practice of paying to access vehicle features. Despite the additional expense, tech-savvy Tesla owners may find the-

Image Credit: Google

prospect of extending their vehicle's range via a straightforward software update appealing.

Image Credit: Google

2025 Chevrolet Equinox: Pricing and Trim Level Updates

Image Credit: Google