Tesla could quickly start charging new Mannequin 3 homeowners for heated entrance seats and heated windshield wipers, in accordance with findings uncovered within the automaker’s latest 2023.38.8 automobile software program replace.

Nicely-known Tesla hacker GreenTheOnly uncovered the potential of these upcoming modifications after digging into the all-electric automaker’s newest software program replace. Inexperienced has beforehand used this tactic to unwrap hidden future options which might be pre-baked into the software program forward of a product launch of characteristic activation, although this latest discovery may upset future homeowners not anticipating to pay further for these chilly climate options – if, Tesla follows by means of with charging for them, in fact.

Tesla isn’t any stranger to software-locking factory-installed {hardware} behind a paywall, such because the footwell lights within the Mannequin 3, or further battery capability in older Tesla Mannequin S and X automobiles. Previously, it has even charged for heated seats –particularly, rear seats in lowered-trimmed Commonplace Vary Mannequin 3 variants. Nonetheless, Tesla stopped charging for heated rear seats in 2022.

It isn’t assured that Tesla will cost for these options, nevertheless, Inexperienced’s findings point out that the logic is already embedded within the software program replace, so the thought has crossed the automaker’s thoughts. And if carried out, it might mark the primary time that Tesla prices for heated entrance seats (or wipers, for that matter).

Probably, Tesla could also be contemplating dropping these options to decrease the bottom value of its Mannequin 3 even additional whereas nonetheless permitting for the potential of further income after the automobile is bought. Comfort options like heated seats, inside lighting, and sound programs have traditionally been Tesla’s go-to cost-cutting measure up to now.

One other stunning discovery within the software program replace was that the Mannequin Y seems to have a software-locked battery capability for its Commonplace Vary trim. As we talked about, Tesla has taken this method up to now. This explicit resolution may very well be a results of scaling out the Mannequin Y’s not-so-serviceable structural battery pack, that means it may very well be cheaper for Tesla to stay constant in its manufacturing strategies throughout trims and software-lock the pack moderately than modify manufacturing for various trims and ranges.

There’s at present no point out of how a lot this characteristic may cost, if it might apply to used automobiles in Tesla’s stock, or how quickly it may very well be carried out.

As we talked about, Inexperienced’s discovery is not gospel that Tesla will make the change to the paid mannequin for heated seats and heated wipers, although it’s a good indication that it might occur. And in typical Tesla trend, if the automaker chooses to cost for these options, there is no assure that it will not find yourself being a no-cost characteristic in a while—identical to what occurred with heated rear seats.