Image: Tesla
Tesla is increasing the price of its Premium Connectivity subscription in several international markets, including Australia and New Zealand, starting November 10.
In Australia, the monthly cost of Premium Connectivity is rising by 40%, from $9.99 to $13.99 AUD per month. “To keep delivering the premium features you enjoy, we’re updating the subscription fee for Premium Connectivity. Your monthly fee will increase from $9.99 to $13.99,” reads a notification sent to Tesla customers in Australia.
Premium Connectivity provides access to in-car data features such as live traffic visualization, satellite-view maps, video and music streaming, and over-the-air updates while on the go. Earlier this week, Tesla pushed a software update that even added 3D buildings and cityscapes to the navigation — another feature that requires Premium Connectivity.
Tesla’s Vice President of Finance, Sendil Palani, offered some context for the price hike on X, noting that the company originally launched Premium Connectivity in Australia at $16.99 AUD per month five years ago before lowering it to $9.99. Palani said the new $13.99 price remains below both U.S. and European pricing, adding that the goal of the increase “is primarily to cover costs.”
Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand owners are also seeing their monthly Premium Connectivity price jump from $10.99 to $15.99 NZD — a hike of more than 45%. Some owners have voiced frustration, especially given the connectivity issues tied to Tesla’s reliance on Australian carrier SIM cards in New Zealand.
In Japan, Tesla owners report that the subscription price has more than doubled, from ¥990 ($6.49 USD) to ¥1990 ($13.05 USD), even though some features like Full Self-Driving, Enhanced Autopilot, and remote vehicle monitoring remain unavailable in that market.
The global price adjustments come shortly after Tesla began rolling out its long-awaited Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software in Australia and New Zealand last month. In select regions, including the U.S., Tesla has also started bundling Premium Connectivity with perks like free lifetime Supercharging in a new “Luxe Package,” available on higher-end vehicles such as the Model S, Model X, and top-tier Cybertruck.
