Tesla has released API pricing for third-party apps and this developer says that it would cost them $60 million per year to run their third-party Tesla app under these new pricing.

After years of operating in a gray zone without an official API, which is an interface to communicate with a service, Tesla third-party apps finally got official API documentation late last year.

It is currently geared toward fleet management, but developers hoped it would be the first step toward creating a healthy Tesla third-party app ecosystem.

Today, Tesla has released usage pricing for its Fleet API, and it is shocking many app developers:

Tesla included a cost estimation calculator based on different signals, commands, and data needs.

It doesn’t mean much to me, but the developer of the Tessie app, a third-party Tesla analytics and automation app, used it and said on Reddit that it would cost about $60 million in API fees to run his app under this pricing model:

“I’ll owe Tesla around $60 million per year using current rate.”

That’s with 400,000 Tesla drivers reportedly using the app.

Obviously, that’s not a sustainable pricing environment, but fortunately, the developer says that he can get around it by dropping the API and using “direct car communication over IP and BLE.”

Tesla has also been releasing its own fleet management features lately, which could explain this move, which throws some cold water on third-party apps.

Tyler Corsair, the founder of Teslascope, another Tesla third-party app, added that their new API cost would add up to about 7.5 times the app’s monthly revenue. According to some other devs, they are not even amongst the worst positioned.

Electrek’s Take

This is reminiscent of a situation Reddit had last year when it also updated its API pricing, which resulted in killing some popular third-party apps that had become more popular than Reddit’s own mobile app.

It’s sad to see Tesla going that way.

It will likely kill some useful third-party apps. Fortunately, it does sound like some will be able to work around it, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some give up amid what can be perceived as an hostile move from Tesla toward third-party apps.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

Happy Thanksgiving y’all! With the holiday officially here and bellies being filled throughout the day, we’ve got our annual collection of Black Friday Green Deals coming right along with it. The savings train has long been in full swing across multiple online marketplaces, and to help out with your seasonal shopping needs, we’ve rounded up all the deals we’ve spotted into this hub for your browsing pleasure. Many of the savings you see here are the biggest of the year as prices are being slashed left and right to their lowest rates. There’s plenty of opportunities to save big bucks on eco-friendly devices, equipment, and more from your favorite brands, with EVs, power stations, electric tools, ENERGY STAR appliances, smart outdoor gear, wood-burning grills, fire pits, and more all benefitting from sales. Enjoy all that we’ve collected here for you today, but don’t sit on decisions too long, there’s no telling how long stocks or these prices may last.

Featured deal: Buzz Bicycles is bringing readers an exclusive promotion this Black Friday to save $400 on its Centris class 2 folding e-bike that drops costs to the best price of the year on top of including a free accessory – all for $799, after using the promo code ELECTREK200 at checkout. Featuring a step-thru and folding frame, you’ll enjoy cruising through the streets at 20 MPH top speeds for up to 40 miles, making it a great entry-level model for new riders as well as veteran riders seeking a more affordable option. There are two colorways here to choose from, and plenty of solid features like the 4-inch fat tires, front suspension, front and rear lighting – and even front and rear cargo racks too. Adding an electric solution to your commuter needs doesn’t have to break the bank with this deal.

Black Friday Green Power Station Deals

• EcoFlow’s Black Friday sale adds more deals – DELTA 2 1,024Wh LiFePO4 power station hits new $399 low (60% off), more
• Massive Jackery Black Friday sale now live with up to $3,200 in savings on power stations and solar generators from $89
• Anker SOLIX switches to full Black Friday savings with return lows on C300 90,000mAh stations from $140, more
• These exclusive deals on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 power station and bundle saves you up to $2,299 at new lows from $2,099
• Save a 9to5Toys-exclusive $1,568 on EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra whole-home backup station at new $4,230 low
• Exclusive deals on Anker’s SOLIX C300 90,000mAh power stations offer $49 in free gear starting from $143
• Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power bank station hits new $80 low for Black Friday (Save $70)
• ALLPOWERS Black Friday sale drops R2500 solar generator with 600W panel to new $1,499 low (Save $700), more
• Score up to $800 in savings on Segway’s Cube LiFePO4 portable power stations with new lows starting from $600

Featured deal: With more than 130 years in the bicycle business, Huffy is well-known across the market, especially for its large lineup of kid-friendly models. For Black Friday, the brand is providing some exclusive savings on its iconic Electric Green Machine Trike at $419, after using the promo code ELECTREKGM at checkout for 30% off. Ideal for riders aged 8+ and falling under the 180-pound max weight, it gives kids the chance to experience 15 MPH top speeds thanks to its 250W front hub motor alongside the 36V battery. This model will also grow with your child, as its seat provides three different adjustable settings to keep them safe while they tear up the pavement with plenty of spins and drifts.

Black Friday Green EV Deals

• Lectric’s Black Friday sale takes up to $781 off e-bike bundles from $999 and tons of bonus deals
• MOD kicks off Black Friday with massive price drops on its e-bikes at up to $1,300 off, deals from $1,799
• Rad Power’s Black Friday sale offers e-bike discounts, free extra batteries with new models, more from $1,099
• Aventon Black Friday sale offers free extra battery with Pace 500.3 cruiser e-bikes at $1,499 ($800 in savings), more
• Tenways early access Black Friday sale takes $600 off the 37-pound CGO600 Pro e-bike at new $1,299 low, and more
• Segway’s Black Friday sale increases savings on Ninebot MAX G30LP KickScooter to new $400 low (50% off), more
• NIU’s full Black Friday sale increases savings on KQi series e-scooters up to 64% off with new lows – deals from $179
• Velotric adds two e-bikes to early Black Friday savings and 30% discounts on three accessories – deals start from $1,099
• Hiboy’s early access Black Friday savings drops the 62-mile 2024 P6 fat-tire e-bike to new $940 low (Save $540), more
• ENGWE’s Class 3 entry-level L20 2.0 e-bike hits $699 in Black Friday sales, more from $949 + bonus savings
• Vanpowers takes up to 50% off e-bikes during Black Friday sale from $869, with free gear and extra battery deals
• MOD delivers vintage BMW vibes with upgraded LE Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike at $400 off for Black Friday
• Lectric launches three new and improved XPedition 2.0 Cargo e-bikes with up to $713 in free gear from $1,399
• Lectric launches upgraded XPeak 2.0 off-road e-bikes with $365 in free gear starting from $1,399
• MOD’s City+ 3 folding e-bikes give you all-around support on your commutes and joyrides at $1,799 Black Friday low, more
• Heybike’s Cityrun commuter e-bike carries you up to 55 miles of travel on a four-hour charge at $999 low (Save $600), more
• Vvolt Black Friday sale offers FREE extra battery with e-bike purchase and up to $1,099 in savings – deals from $1,799
• Save $140 on Leviton’s level 2 48A hardwired EV charging station while it’s at a new $559 low (Reg. $699), more

Featured deal: Mokwheel Bikes is offering up to $900 in savings across its e-bike lineup this Black Friday, with free gear coming along with select purchases too. You can buy any two ebikes and get a FREE accessory or FREE Gift Package ($499.99~$699). The biggest of these deals comes in on the brand’s latest models, the Obsidian and Obsidian ST Power Station e-bikes at $2,099, down from $2,999, with a choice between three different gifts, all worth $599. Coming with either the standard high-step or step-thru fames, what makes these newer models stand out is their built-in power station capabilities when you choose to receive the 1,000W inverter as your free gift, providing on-the-go juice for your devices using the bike’s 940W battery (on top of solar charging functionality too)

Black Friday Green Garden/Lawn Care Deals

• Amazon slashes up to 46% off huge lineup of Greenworks electric tools: Mowers, trimmers, bundles, more from $29
• Walmart’s Black Friday sale takes up to 70% off electric tools: Greenworks, Worx, Sun Joe, Snow Joe, more from $68
• Grab Worx’s Nitro LEAFJET cordless leaf blowers for your yard at new Black Friday lows starting from $94 (Reg. $170), more
• Amazon takes $149 off EGO Power+ Select Cut 21-inch 56V mower with 10Ah battery at $700, more from $143
• Segway’s Black Friday sale takes up to $600 off Navimow H and i series robot lawn mowers starting from $799
• Amazon has taken up to $751 off a huge lineup of Husqvarna lawncare equipment from $95 ahead of Black Friday
• Rachio’s smart hose timer and sprinkler controllers keep a watch over your yard’s water needs starting from $78
• Gain 1,900 PSI of cleaning power at $120 off with this Greenworks electric pressure washer combo kit at $100, more
• Gain control over your sprinklers while saving $40 on Eve’s HomeKit Aqua smart water controller at $110

Black Friday Green Appliance Deals

Apple Watch 

AirPods

Apple Pencil, Mac accessories, more

Google Black Friday deals

Samsung Black Friday Week deals

Smart Home Black Friday deals

PC gaming and more

PC, Snapdragon, Copilot+, Chromebook deals

Speakers and headphones

General Tech

iPhone and Apple Watch accessories

• Ralph Lauren takes 40% off hundreds of styles for Black Friday Week: Pullovers, polos, jeans, more
• Carhartt’s Black Friday Sale takes 40% off doorbusters + 25% off gift ideas from $6
• Levi’s Black Friday sale now live with 40% off everything! Denim for the whole family, outerwear, more
• The North Face Black Friday Sale takes up to 30% off jackets, pullovers, shoes, more from $14
• Shop Macy’s Black Friday Sale now! Save up to 70% off Ralph Lauren, Nike, UGG, North Face, more
• Score Ray-Ban, Oakley, Burberry, more up to 50% off during Sunglass Hut’s Black Friday Sale
• Cole Haan Grand Gifting Event takes up to 50% off boots, dress shoes, sneakers, more
• Under Armour’s Black Friday Event starts with an extra 30% off sitewide + free shipping
• Joe’s New Balance Black Friday Sale takes extra 30% off running shoes, apparel, more from $12
• Backcountry Black Friday Sale starts now! Score up to 50% off The North Face, Patagonia, more
• Crocs Black Friday Sale takes up to 60% off clogs, slippers, accessories, more from $2
• UGG drops 30% off select styles and up to 50% off clearance with deals starting at $31
• Clarks Black Friday Sale takes 30% off sitewide and free delivery: Boots, sneakers, slippers, more
• Nike’s Black Friday Sale takes an extra 25% off hundreds of styles: Running shoes, outerwear, more
• Columbia Black Friday Sale takes 50% off doorbusters: Jackets, vests, sweatshirts, more from $7
• MVMT Black Friday Sale is live and offering 30% off sitewide: Watches, sunglasses, more
• Vineyard Vines Outlet Black Friday sale is now live – 50% off sitewide: Pullovers, t-shirts, shorts, more from $7
• REI’s Holiday Sale is offering up to 30% off The North Face, Patagonia, Columbia, more
• adidas Black Friday Sale takes up to 70% off UltraBoosts, Y-3, Samba, more from $5
• Nordstrom’s Black Friday Sale is live! Save up to 60% off Nike, Cole Haan, On Cloud, more

Amazon gear deals

Kindle 

Echo Spot, Dot, and Pop smart speakers

Echo Show smart displays

Fire TV Stick

Echo Buds

Fire Tablets

Smart TVs

Our master roundup of Black Friday smart TVs is waiting for you right here – there’s far too many to drop down in here, but we will leave you with some highlights below. The complete list awaits right here.

Volkswagen Group is radically overhauling its business strategy to save money and stay afloat, and it may axe its Tesla-inspired direct-to-consumer retail model for EVs in major European markets.

In a press release, VW said that selling EVs through direct-to-consumer models while also selling ICE vehicles via traditional retail operations was too complex in Europe’s weak auto market, pointing to what it says is the slow pace at which consumers are buying EVs.

“Given challenging framework conditions, we will have to reevaluate if our current agency model for all-electric vehicles delivers the best possible customer experience,” Marco Schubert, the VW Group board member responsible for sales, said in a statement. Still, he added that direct-to-consumer sales will remain a “long-term target” for the automaker.

Tesla’s revolutionary direct-to-consumer model, which bypasses traditional dealerships in favor of selling cars directly through its own network of stores and online, has completely disrupted the way in which cars are sold in Europe, with many legacy automakers trying their best to follow suit in a highly regulated auto market. In VW’s case, its EVs can be purchased via dealers, and the dealer earns a fixed, lower margin without needing to take on marketing costs or carrying costs for inventory.

The possible retail revamp includes VW brand vehicles but also Audi, Skoda, and VW commercial vehicles in France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the UK.

In 2020, VW introduced its direct-sales model for EVs, and the results from its review are expected to be released in March of next year. VWs’s Cupra brand, however, will continue to sells its EV under the direct-to-consumer model, as will all VW vehicles sold in Ireland and Sweden, regardless of drivetrain.

This comes at a time when VW is radically restructuring its business to cut costs, and plans to close down three factories in Germany – the first time in the company’s 87-year history that it is closing factories on its home turf. The plan includes cutting tens of thousands of jobs and slashing pay for 10% of its remaining staff.

The brand is also seeking to streamline production and development processes, shaving off months on the development cycles of specific projects to help tighten the belt, reports Automotive News Europe.

VW is closing its Audi plant in Brussels where it makes soon-to-be-retired Audi Q8 E-Tron – an €80,000 electric SUV that suffered from low sales –  in a few months. The company announced that it will close the factory on February 28, 2025, with 3,000 workers losing their jobs in the Brussels area.

Photo credit: Volkswagen Group

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