Tesla is considering the possibility of charging customers for features such as heated seats and heated wipers, according to a renowned hacker known as Greentheonly. The hacker, who is known for uncovering upcoming features in Tesla’s software, recently discovered hints suggesting that these features could be placed behind a paywall, where customers would have to pay extra for them. While this practice is not new for Tesla, it has sparked some controversy in the past.
Previously, Tesla offered customers the option to activate rear-heated seats for an additional fee of $300. This feature, which was available for the Model 3 Standard Range and Standard Range+, allowed customers to pick and choose certain features based on their preferences. However, some saw this as a money-making strategy by Tesla, arguing that heated seats should be included as a standard feature in a car priced in the mid-$30,000 range.
Now, it seems that Tesla might extend this practice to its 2024 base models, which could include the Model 3 and Model Y. While it is important to note that not all features mentioned in software coding make it to the final product, the explicit mention of heated seats and heated wipers is intriguing. It wouldn’t be surprising if Tesla decided to make customers purchase these features when opting for the base model of an electric vehicle, especially considering that it has done so in the past.
It is worth mentioning that there have been instances where people have found ways to bypass the additional charges for heated seats. Earlier this year, researchers from the Technische Universität Berlin successfully jailbroke a Model 3 to activate heated seats without paying the fee.
FAQ:
Q: Will Tesla charge for heated seats and wipers in the future?
A: According to hints found in Tesla’s software, it is possible that these features could be behind a paywall for future models.
Q: Has Tesla charged for additional features in the past?
A: Yes, Tesla has previously charged customers for activating certain features, such as rear-heated seats.
Q: Can customers bypass the additional charges?
A: There have been instances where researchers have found ways to jailbreak Tesla vehicles to activate certain features without paying the fee.