Tesla has made a significant change to its vehicle lineup in the U.S. and Canada by discontinuing Autopilot as a standard feature. This move marks the end of an era where Autopilot was included in every Tesla vehicle purchase. Instead, new vehicles now come equipped with basic Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) as standard, with the option to subscribe to Full Self-Driving (FSD) for an additional cost.
The removal of Autopilot was quietly implemented through Tesla’s online configurator. Customers no longer receive Autosteer, a key component of Autopilot that allowed for lane centering on highways. Instead, Tesla is emphasizing the importance of FSD subscriptions, offering a 30-day free trial of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to new vehicle owners.
Tesla is currently offering FSD as a $99/month subscription, with the option to purchase it outright for $8,000. However, the one-time purchase option will be phased out on February 14, making FSD subscription-only going forward. Additionally, Tesla has set a deadline of March 31 for free FSD transfers between vehicles, adding a sense of urgency for owners considering the upgrade.
Elon Musk has hinted that the $99/month price point for supervised FSD will increase as the capabilities of the software improve. The ultimate goal for Tesla is to offer unsupervised FSD, where passengers can be on their phone or even asleep during the ride. This highlights Tesla’s long-term focus on autonomy and its willingness to adjust pricing as the technology advances.
While FSD is currently included with new Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck Cyberbeast orders as part of the Luxe Package, there is uncertainty about whether owners who purchase FSD outright will continue to receive updates and improvements in the future. Tesla is also offering a discounted FSD subscription of $49/month for drivers who previously purchased Enhanced Autopilot.
This shift in Tesla’s strategy comes as the company moves closer to achieving full autonomy on the road. Recently, Tesla began offering public Robotaxi rides in Austin using unsupervised FSD, a significant milestone in the journey towards self-driving vehicles. Despite criticism from some quarters about the removal of Autopilot as a standard feature, Tesla is steadfast in its commitment to Full Self-Driving as the future of automotive technology.
In conclusion, while Autopilot may be a thing of the past, Tesla’s message is clear: the future lies in Full Self-Driving technology, even if it comes at a cost.