Tesla recently introduced pricing for its Fleet API, a move that has sparked concern among third-party Tesla app developers. The new pay-per-use pricing structure includes fees for data streaming, commands, and other vehicle interactions. While Tesla argues that this system encourages efficient use and scales with business needs, developers are worried about the potential financial burden it could impose.
The Fleet API pricing breakdown includes 150,000 signals for $1, 1,000 requests for commands for $1, 500 data polling requests for $1, and 50 vehicle wakes for $1. Popular app developers like Tessie, Teslemetry, and Teslascope are warning that these costs could threaten the existence of their services and others like them.
The developer of the Tessie app took to Reddit to express his concerns, revealing that at current rates, he would owe Tesla around $60 million per year. He explained how frequent API calls, such as every 30 seconds for an active car, could quickly add up. For example, leaving a single car in Sentry Mode all month would require 87,658 API calls, equivalent to $175 per vehicle per month.
To avoid these exorbitant costs, Tessie plans to transition from Tesla’s web API to direct communication via IP and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a move made possible by Tesla’s recent firmware updates. Tessie founder James stated, “Tessie is aiming to migrate everyone to cheaper and more real-time vehicle connectivity with little to no impact on functionality or price.”
Similarly, Teslemetry estimates it would owe Tesla around $900,000 annually under the new rates, more than 25 times its revenue. The app’s developer called the pricing “unsustainable.” Teslascope founder Tyler Corsair shared his concerns as well, stating that the current rates would require his service to generate 7.5 times its monthly revenue to maintain the same level of service.
Tesla has positioned the pricing changes as part of a broader strategy to monetize its software ecosystem and enhance service efficiency. For personal users, the company offers a $10 monthly discount that covers basic usage for two vehicles.
The impact of these API prices on third-party Tesla apps could be significant, potentially leading to the closure of some services unable to afford the API bills. It remains to be seen how developers will adapt to these new pricing structures and whether the Tesla community will see a shift in the landscape of third-party apps as a result.