Volkswagen is now charging owners of its ID.3 electric vehicles in the UK a monthly fee of £16.50 to unlock an additional 20 to 27 horsepower.

The extra power raises output from 148–201 hp to the full 228 hp that the hardware already supports. Telematics Wire says that buyers can alternatively pay a £650–£649 one-time fee for lifetime access that is tied to the vehicle’s VIN, not the owner, meaning it transfers with the car on resale. 

VW has defended its controversial upgrade model as an evolution of traditional trim-level options – allowing flexibility to unlock more performance later based on driver needs. VW claims the upgrade has no impact on range or insurance, since the motor is already rated at that power. 

Across the industry, this reflects a broader push toward “functions on demand” – charging for features increasingly delivered via over-the-air (OTA) updates. While OEMs see recurring revenue and better post-purchase engagement, critics argue that locking hardware behind paywalls – software monetization of what the consumer already owns – is an ‘erosion of ownership’.

(Pic: Yay Images)