Tesla has significantly altered its purchasing options for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in the United States, effectively moving towards a subscription-only model. As of Sunday, the option to buy the FSD suite outright has been removed from the online design studio.
Exclusive Loophole for Premium Models
Despite the shift to subscriptions, a single avenue remains for consumers wishing to purchase Full Self-Driving as a permanent addition to their vehicle. This option is exclusively available through the purchase of a Model S or Model X. These premium vehicles were previously offered with a ‘Luxe Package’ that included FSD for the life of the vehicle, alongside other benefits like complimentary Supercharging and Premium Connectivity.
Luxe Package Details and Restrictions
The ‘Luxe Package,’ which also extended to the top-trim Cyberbeast variant of the Cybertruck, bundled Full Self-Driving with a four-year premium service package. This package covered wheel and tire protection, windshield repair, and recommended maintenance. However, Tesla has introduced a crucial restriction: the FSD and Supercharging benefits included in the Luxe Package are non-transferable. This means they cannot be passed on to subsequent owners or moved to a different vehicle.
Subscription Model and Future Pricing
Currently, Tesla’s FSD subscription is priced at $99 per month. The company anticipates this price will increase over time as the software’s capabilities advance, particularly with expectations surrounding the development of ‘Unsupervised FSD’ and the Cybercab program. It remains unconfirmed whether Tesla will offer distinct pricing for both supervised and unsupervised versions of FSD in the future.
International Variations in Purchase Options
While the outright purchase option has been removed in the U.S., Tesla has extended deadlines for outright FSD purchases in other international markets. For instance, in Australia, consumers have until March 31 to buy the software outright.
