Tesla Cuts Full Self-Driving Subscription Cost in Half
The latest sharp juke in the Tesla pricing roller coaster is a massive cut not to a model, but to a feature. While the controversially named Full Self-Driving system is still a $12,000 option on all Tesla vehicles, the monthly subscription required to maintain the system’s operation is dropping from $199 a month to $99 a month.
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A one-month trial of FSD is included with every new Tesla purchase, and the company announced in March 2024 that existing owners of compatible vehicles would likewise get a one-month trial. Since FSD relies on the same cameras, sensors and other hardware as the other advanced safety features that are included on all current Tesla models, such as Autopilot, the trial period can be started with nothing more than an over-the-air update.
Tesla charges far more for FSD than other automakers do for similar tech, although systems like Ford’s BlueCruise and GM’s Super Cruise only work on limited-access highways the automakers have mapped in detail. On trim levels where BlueCruise isn’t standard, Ford charges $2,100 for three years of the feature; once the three years is up, it costs $75 a month or $800 per year. The upfront cost for Super Cruise differs between vehicles but still lands below $4,000, while the monthly subscription is a relative bargain, at just $25.
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Tesla Semi-Autonomous System Breakdown
Autopilot is standard on every Tesla. It combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering to provide highway driving assistance, but drivers must keep their hands on the wheel.
Enhanced Autopilot costs $6,000 on all Teslas. It adds automatic lane changes, including those necessary to follow a route programmed into the navigation system, and automated parking with the Summon and Smart Summon features. Summon allows the car to maneuver itself into and out of tight parking spaces without the driver inside, while Smart Summon enables owners to summon their vehicle in parking lots and other controlled environments.
The Full Self-Driving system extends those functions, with automated steering in urban environments and the ability to identify and react to stop signs and traffic lights.
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