Volkswagen ID.3 Drivers in the UK Now Need to Pay Extra for Full Performance
Volkswagen has recently introduced a new payment model for some of its EV drivers in the UK, requiring them to pay extra to unlock their vehicle’s full potential. The Volkswagen ID.3 Pro and Pro S models are now listed with 201 hp on the UK website, but to access the full performance of 228 hp, drivers will need to pay additional fees.
Drivers have two options to unlock the extra power – they can either opt for a monthly subscription starting at £16.50 ($22) per month or choose a one-time lifetime fee of £649 ($880). It’s worth noting that the one-time fee is tied to the vehicle and not the buyer, meaning that if the vehicle is sold, the upgrade will transfer to the new owner. The monthly payment is significantly higher than a standard Netflix membership, as highlighted by Auto Express.
Despite the performance upgrade being locked behind a paywall, Volkswagen has assured drivers that it will not impact the vehicle’s range. This move by Volkswagen follows a trend in the industry where automakers are exploring new revenue streams by offering performance upgrades as optional paid features. BMW, for example, previously attempted to charge $18 a month for features like heated seats but later dropped the subscription model due to backlash.
Other brands like Polestar also offer similar performance upgrades, indicating a shift towards monetizing additional features in the automotive industry. However, it remains to be seen if Volkswagen will extend this payment model to EV drivers in other regions like the US or other parts of Europe, especially considering the negative response from BMW’s previous attempt.
In the meantime, Volkswagen is gearing up to launch a new series of entry-level EVs, starting with the ID.2 next year, followed by an SUV version and the production version of the ID.1 in 2027. The company is also considering a “mini Buzz” model to potentially replace the Touran, although no official confirmation has been made yet. As Volkswagen continues to innovate and expand its EV lineup, the industry will be closely watching how consumers respond to this new payment model for enhanced performance.
