Tesla has decided to charge $9.99/month subscription charges for using its in-car feature of “Premium Connectivity.”

These charges are levied to those car owners who purchased them on or after July 1, 2018. All the Tesla owners who purchased Tesla before this will be eligible for the Premium Connectivity feature at no cost for a lifetime of the electric vehicle.

Tesla has updated its website with all the details. Here is the full table of Premium Connectivity eligibility:

Model Ordered on or before

June 30, 2018 Ordered on or after

July 1, 2018 Model S

Model X Free Premium Connectivity Eligible for Premium Connectivity subscription Model 3 with Premium Interior Free Premium Connectivity Eligible for Premium Connectivity subscription Model 3 Standard Range

Standard Range Plus N/A Eligible for Premium Connectivity subscription Used Tesla cars Free Premium Connectivity Eligible for Premium Connectivity subscription

Premium Connectivity Trial

All Model S, Model X, and Model 3 with Premium Interior ordered on or after July 1, 2018, will receive a Premium Connectivity trial for one year, beginning at the date of delivery.

All deliveries of Model 3 Standard Range and Standard Range Plus on or before December 31, 2019, will receive a 30-day complimentary Premium Connectivity trial.

After the trial ends, Premium Connectivity will be available as a subscription via Tesla Account. If not subscribed, it will be switched to Standard Connectivity.

Without Premium Connectivity, the Tesla owner would not be able to avail the features like live traffic visualization, satellite-view maps, and in-car video and music streaming services.

Here is the full comparison:

Connectivity Packages Standard

Included Premium

$9.99 /mo plus applicable tax Navigation Yes Yes Live Traffic Visualization ﹣ Yes Satellite-View Maps ﹣ Yes Video Streaming* ﹣ Yes Caraoke* ﹣ Yes Music Streaming* ﹣ Yes Internet Browser* ﹣ Yes

* Available over Wi-Fi for Standard Connectivity

Free lunch

In 2012, U.S based automotive manufacturer and energy company, Tesla launched its Model S cars. After its launching and order shipments, it left its buyers with the question of whether its internet connectivity is for free or not?

Tesla owners have started to get a warning about the expiry. Image: _danthevan

Two years later, Tesla brought some modifications and announced that internet connectivity would remain active until four years.

Now after well crossing its deadline, Tesla has finally decided to split connectivity into Standard and Premium subscription.

With thousands of Tesla using connectivity on the road collecting car data, receiving over-the-air updates, updating maps, streaming music and linking Autopilot with the servers, do you think the subscription cost is justified? Do share your views in comments.

Featured image: Tesla