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Tesla FSD will become subscription only, ditching one-time purchase

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6 months ago

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Tesla Self Driving

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, announced that his EV company will stop selling FSD (Supervised) with a new vehicle, and the only way to access this self-driving program is to get it on a monthly subscription.

Musk confirmed that Tesla will stop selling Full Self-Driving (FSD) as a one-time purchase after February 14, 2026. Afterwards, FSD will only be available through a monthly subscription. However, the Tesla chief didn’t reveal the reason behind this decision.

Tesla Subscription only FSD

Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is Tesla’s advanced driver-assist system. It uses cameras and AI to help the car steer, change lanes, speed up or slow down, and park on its own. However, a driver must always watch and be ready to take over. It works on highways, city streets, and parking lots, but it’s not fully autonomous yet.

Launched in 2020, the FSD Beta program was first enabled for a small group of owners. It started as a test version to gather real-world data. Since then, FSD has made big progress. Software updates come over the air, making it smoother and safer.

By late 2025, Tesla’s fleet had driven over 6.5 billion miles with FSD. Version 14, released in 2025, drives like a skilled chauffeur, handles emergencies well, and parks the car door-to-door. Tesla says it’s seven times safer than human driving when used.

The system learns from millions of cars, expanding to more countries like the US, Canada, and China. Currently, buyers can add FSD to a new Tesla for a one-time fee of $8,000. This gives lifetime access with updates.

Or, new and existing owners can buy a monthly FSD subscription for $99 or a yearly subscription for $999 at any time via the Tesla app. On top of that, the EV manufacturer offers 30-day trials for new customers, and with additional activities.

After February 14, no more one-time buys means ongoing costs for FSD. This could save money short-term, but adds up over the years. It fits Tesla’s plan for regular revenue from software. Some owners may rush to buy a new Tesla before the subscription-only FSD era begins.

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Mannoo specializes in Generative AI, Large Language Model (LLM), and Aerospace Science. Prior to delving into these fields, he was a Python programmer, a game designer, and an Android and iOS app developer with over 5 years of experience. He has prior writing experience in creative writing about smartphones and technology before working at Eonmsk.com. You can explore his X/TWitter and LinkedIn pages or contact him through his email.

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