Tesla Locks Autopilot Behind $99/Month, Pushing Drivers to Pay Up
Tesla is dramatically reshaping how drivers access its once-celebrated Autopilot features. Starting February 14, the Autosteer system, which allows a Tesla to maintain lane position automatically, will no longer come standard with any Model 3 or Model Y trims in the U.S. Instead, drivers who want hands-free lane-keeping will need to subscribe to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package for $99 a month.
This move represents a bold shift in the automotive world. Tesla has long been at the forefront of semi-autonomous driving technology, popularizing features that other automakers scrambled to copy. Autopilot, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, became a hallmark of the Tesla experience. But regulatory scrutiny, lawsuits and declining profit margins appear to have pushed the company toward a subscription model.
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Full Self-Driving, or FSD, is Tesla’s upgraded system, intended to handle more complex driving scenarios on highways and city streets. Until now, customers could purchase FSD for a one-time $8,000 fee. That option disappears mid-February, leaving only the monthly subscription. Elon Musk has indicated this fee will increase as FSD’s capabilities improve, especially when fully unsupervised driving—where drivers can sleep or use their phones—is rolled out.
The implications for Tesla owners and the broader automotive market are significant. What was once a one-time software feature is now a recurring cost, fundamentally changing the economics of vehicle ownership. For drivers, this means that staying on the cutting edge of Tesla technology will require ongoing payments rather than a single purchase. It also raises questions about how Tesla markets “self-driving” capabilities, particularly in light of past legal findings that the company misled consumers about Autopilot’s autonomy.
Industry analysts suggest that the move is partially aimed at boosting recurring revenue, which has become a key metric for investor confidence. Tesla’s CFO previously noted that only about 12% of owners subscribe to FSD, leaving room for growth. By removing Autosteer from standard packages, Tesla nudges more buyers toward subscription adoption, potentially increasing its long-term cash flow and tying this strategy to Elon Musk’s ambitious performance incentives.
For consumers, the subscription model may feel like a step backward. Competitors like Toyota already include lane-centering as standard on entry-level vehicles, making Tesla’s approach stand out—and not necessarily in a positive way.
Stay informed as Tesla rolls out these changes and watch closely how this shift affects ownership, consumer trust and the broader race toward autonomous driving technology. The road ahead is changing—and for Tesla drivers, that change now comes with a monthly fee.
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