Tesla will change how it sells its Full Self Driving software starting February 14, shifting the feature to a subscription only model. The update was confirmed by CEO Elon Musk and marks a clear break from Tesla’s long running option to buy the software outright.
Under the current system, Tesla owners in the United States can either pay a one time fee of $8,000 for Full Self Driving or subscribe for $99 per month. After February 14, the one time purchase option will be removed, leaving the monthly subscription as the only way to access the software.
This change matters because Full Self Driving is central to Tesla’s long term business plan. Instead of collecting a large payment once, Tesla will now earn ongoing software revenue as long as customers keep using the feature. This model is closer to how streaming and cloud software services work.
Technically, Tesla already uses a more advanced version of the software inside its factories. That version operates without a driver when cars move from production lines to delivery areas. On public roads, however, Tesla limits the software to supervised use only.
Looking ahead, this move shows Tesla is treating Full Self Driving as a long term software service rather than a one time feature. As the system improves over time, Tesla appears focused on steady adoption, regular updates and predictable revenue tied to real world usage.
