Volkswagen introduces subscription for additional horsepower for electric cars

Volkswagen in the UK has introduced a paid subscription for owners of the ID.3 electric car, which allows you to unlock the full power. The base Pro and Pro S models produce 201 hp as standard, but for £16.50 per month or £165 per year, owners can increase this to 228 hp, increasing torque from 265 Nm to 310 Nm. This is reported by Auto Express.

The subscription does not affect the car's range and does not require any changes to insurance, as the factory registration already takes into account the maximum power. In addition to the monthly subscription, Volkswagen offers a lifetime option for £649, which is tied to the car and remains active even if it is sold to a new owner.

The subscription allows owners to save on a one-time upgrade or opt for a flexible monthly payment format, but the company warns that attempts to circumvent the system could void the warranty or result in legal consequences. Volkswagen is not the only manufacturer taking this approach: BMW has offered a subscription to activate comfort features like heated seats, and Hyundai sells owners of its cars updates that patch security vulnerabilities.

This practice has sparked debate among car owners, who note that a basic car purchase does not provide full vehicle functionality without additional costs, and raises questions about the future of subscriptions for car features in the electric vehicle industry.