At a Glance
- Tesla drops Autopilot from standard equipment.
- New Full-Self Driving (Supervised) available only as a $99/month subscription after Feb. 14.
- Owners who paid for Enhanced Autopilot face a $49/month fee.
Tesla’s recent shake-up of its vehicle software lineup has caught the attention of drivers and regulators alike. The company has removed the long-running Autopilot driver-assist system from its standard equipment, replacing it with a subscription-only Full-Self Driving (Supervised) option. The change, announced by CEO Elon Musk on X, will take effect after Feb. 14, shifting the way owners access advanced driving features.
What Changed
Tesla’s standard package now includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a basic blind-spot monitoring system. The lane-centering feature known as Autosteer, which was never offered on the cheaper Model 3 and Model Y Standard trims, has also been removed. The company’s decision follows a December ruling that found Tesla had committed a deceptive marketing violation regarding the capabilities of Autopilot and Full-Self Driving.
To align with the new legal stance, Tesla renamed the feature set to Full-Self Driving (Supervised), added a series of disclosures, and dropped the Autopilot label altogether. The company’s PR department was also reportedly dissolved, leaving the company to communicate changes directly through Musk’s social-media channels.
Impact on Current Owners
Prospective buyers who order a Tesla before the Feb. 14 deadline can choose the standard equipment or pay an $8,000 option for Full-Self Driving (Supervised). After that date, the option will be available only as a $99 monthly subscription. Owners who previously purchased Enhanced Autopilot are now offered a $49/month subscription to FSD (Supervised), a reduction from the prior $99/month rate.
“Tesla owners who previously purchased Enhanced Autopilot can now subscribe to FSD (Supervised) for $49/month, reduced from the previous $99/month,” said Sawyer Merritt, an EV influencer who frequently interacts with Musk. Tesla has not responded to requests for comment.
The shift means that a feature many customers paid for as part of their vehicle’s purchase price will now expire after a 30-day trial period, after which the driver must continue paying to keep the system active.
Subscription Model Details
- Standard equipment: Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring.
- Full-Self Driving (Supervised): Available as a $8,000 one-time purchase until Feb. 14, then as a $99 monthly fee.
- Enhanced Autopilot owners: Transition to FSD (Supervised) for $49/month.
- Trial period: 30 days before the monthly fee applies.
The company’s pricing strategy mirrors that of competitors, but the lack of a multi-year trial period is a notable difference.
Comparison with Competitors
| Feature | Tesla | GM (SuperCruise) | Ford (BlueCruise) | BMW (Apple CarPlay) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription fee | $99/month after 30 days | $0/month with 3-year trial | $0/month with 3-year trial | $0/month for Apple CarPlay, other features pay-walled |
| Trial period | 30 days | 3 years | 3 years | No trial for full driver assists |
| Disclaimers | Added after December ruling | Standard disclosures | Standard disclosures | Limited disclosures |
Tesla’s approach contrasts with the longer trial periods offered by GM and Ford, and with BMW’s earlier attempt to monetize driver assists.
Owner Reactions
Many new owners are frustrated by the sudden change to a subscription model for a feature they paid for upfront. The move has sparked debate about the fairness of charging for driver-assist technology after the purchase. Some critics argue that the subscription could alienate loyal customers and create confusion for first-time buyers.
The policy shift also raises questions about the future of Tesla’s autonomous driving roadmap, especially given the company’s past promises about full self-driving capabilities.
Future Outlook
Tesla’s decision to remove Autopilot from its standard package and push a subscription-only Full-Self Driving (Supervised) model reflects broader regulatory pressure and a shift in business strategy. The company will likely continue to refine its subscription offerings and may adjust pricing or trial periods in response to customer feedback and legal scrutiny.
While the immediate impact is clear-owners must now pay to keep advanced features active-the long-term implications for Tesla’s brand and its competitive position in the EV market remain to be seen.
