On January 14, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, announced on the social platform X that starting from February 14, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software will only be available on a monthly subscription basis. Analysts view this as Tesla’s shift from selling cars to selling services.
Currently, Tesla owners in the United States can either pay a one-time fee of $8,000 to purchase Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software or opt for a monthly payment of $99. The one-time payment of $8,000 is equivalent to subscribing for approximately six years and nine months.
The Full Self-Driving software is an advanced driver-assistance system that requires the driver to remain attentive and intervene when necessary.
Autopilot assists Tesla vehicles in accelerating, braking, and staying in lanes on highways, while the Full Self-Driving software enables vehicles to change lanes on city streets and obey traffic signals.
This move comes as Tesla faces a slowdown in sales. The company lost its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer in 2025, prompting Tesla to focus more on technology-driven businesses such as Full Self-Driving software, robotaxis, and robotics in an attempt to generate new revenue streams through tech services.