Tesla has made a significant change in its approach to selling its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature in Europe, moving from a one-time purchase model to a subscription model. This shift means that European Tesla buyers will now have to pay a monthly fee to access features like Autosteer. The complete FSD (Supervised) pack, which allows for hands-free driving from point A to point B under the driver’s supervision, is currently only available in two European countries.
Previously, customers had the option to pay a one-time fee of €7,500 or £6,800 for the “potential for fully independent driving” or “Full Self-Driving Capability.” Now, Tesla is asking for €99 or £99 per month for access to these features and has removed the option to pay a smaller fee for access to Enhanced Autopilot alone.
In the past, European buyers could pay €3,800 or £3,400 for lifetime access to Enhanced Autopilot, which offered hands-free navigation on the highway, automatic lane changes, automatic overtaking, and the ability to summon the vehicle from a smartphone app without anyone inside. Basic Autopilot, which provides automatic steering, acceleration, and braking for other vehicles and pedestrians within its lane, remains free.
Regulatory approval for Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) feature has been granted in the Netherlands and Lithuania, with the feature currently available in these countries. However, customers in other European countries are limited to the subscription model. Tesla’s UK website states that Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is not yet available but may be in the future, pending development and regulatory approval.
The move to a subscription model for FSD (Supervised) mirrors a similar change made by Tesla in the United States earlier this year. The company removed the option to purchase FSD outright for $8,000 and introduced a $99 monthly subscription instead.
While the subscription model may seem costly initially, it may make more sense in the long run. At €99 per month, it would take a little over six years to reach the total cost of €7,500 for the feature. Additionally, owners have the flexibility to only pay for the subscription when they need the features, rather than committing to a one-time purchase.
Overall, this change in Tesla’s approach to selling its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature in Europe may benefit some customers in the long term, but it also puts previous owners in a challenging position, especially those who paid a premium for the promise of a self-driving car. During a recent earnings call, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, made a significant announcement regarding the company’s hardware upgrades for older vehicles. Musk stated that cars equipped with the previous-generation HW3 hardware would not be capable of achieving full autonomy. In order to address this issue, Tesla would need to establish micro factories dedicated to retrofitting older vehicles with the latest hardware.
This decision comes as Tesla continues to push forward with its goal of achieving full self-driving capabilities for its vehicles. Musk emphasized the importance of having the most advanced hardware in order to enable the vehicles to operate autonomously. By retrofitting older vehicles with the latest hardware, Tesla aims to ensure that all of its vehicles are equipped with the necessary technology to achieve full autonomy.
The concept of micro factories for retrofitting older vehicles is an innovative approach that highlights Tesla’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the automotive industry. These specialized facilities will be tasked with upgrading older vehicles with the HW3 hardware, allowing them to benefit from the latest advancements in autonomous driving technology.
This announcement underscores Tesla’s dedication to providing its customers with cutting-edge technology and ensuring that all vehicles in its fleet are capable of achieving full autonomy. By investing in micro factories for retrofitting older vehicles, Tesla is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that its entire lineup is equipped with the most advanced hardware available.
Overall, Musk’s announcement regarding the establishment of micro factories for retrofitting older vehicles with the latest hardware demonstrates Tesla’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. As the company continues to make strides in the development of autonomous driving technology, customers can expect to see even greater advancements in the capabilities of Tesla vehicles in the near future.