Tesla recently announced a change to its Premium Connectivity monthly subscription that has left many new and existing users disappointed. Starting from October 1, 2024, Tesla vehicles delivered after this date will no longer come with complimentary access to a Spotify Premium account as part of the Premium Connectivity service.
This change will also affect Tesla vehicles delivered between July 1, 2019, and September 30, 2024, starting from December 1, 2024. However, Tesla vehicles delivered on or before June 30, 2019, will continue to have access to Spotify Premium until the hardware is no longer supported.
Affected owners who have been enjoying their complimentary Spotify Premium account will now need to enter payment details to retain the service after December 1, 2024. They will also need to have a Tesla Premium Connectivity subscription to support streaming over a mobile network using the vehicle’s built-in SIM card.
Alternatively, users can log into their personal Spotify account used on other devices, such as phones or computers. Updating the account information with a personal email is necessary to retain the vehicle Spotify account, and this requires the 2024.32.4 software update.
A Spotify Premium subscription costs $AU13.99 per month, with various plans available, while Tesla Premium Connectivity is priced at $AU9.99 per month. The subscription provides access to features like live traffic visualisation, satellite-view maps, video and music streaming, ‘Caraoke,’ and a built-in internet browser over a mobile network.
In addition to Spotify, Tesla vehicles can also stream Apple Music and YouTube Music through the infotainment system with a Premium Connectivity subscription when owners sign in with their personal account details. It is worth noting that Tesla is one of the few car companies that do not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard features.
Overall, this change in Tesla’s Premium Connectivity subscription has sparked mixed reactions among users. While some are disappointed by the removal of complimentary Spotify Premium access, others appreciate the flexibility of using their personal accounts. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Tesla adapts to meet the changing needs and preferences of its customers.
