Tesla has shifted its Full Self-Driving feature to a subscription model, eliminating the option to purchase the technology with a one-time fee over the weekend.
Previously, Tesla offered FSD as an $8,000 one-time purchase option. Now, the driver-assist feature is available only via a $99-per-month subscription.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk first announced in January that the change would take effect the following month. Musk has said he plans to hike FSD subscription prices as its capabilities improve.
The decision to remove lifetime FSD purchases comes shortly after the carmaker stopped offering Autopilot as a free feature for new Tesla purchases. Previously, Autopilot acted as a free driver-assist feature on the expressway, while FSD was an additional paid feature for navigating city streets.
Tesla first introduced FSD in 2016, and the pricing has swung dramatically over time. In its early days, FSD cost around $5,000, later climbing to a peak of $15,000. In 2024, Tesla reduced the upfront price to $8,000. The carmaker first introduced a subscription option in 2021 for $199 per month, but the price was later lowered to $99 per month.
Tesla’s move to a more subscription-focused model reflects a broader industry trend. According to reports, Musk’s compensation depends in part on reaching 10 million active FSD subscriptions.
