Tesla to Ditch FSD One-Time Purchase, Shift Fully to Subscription Starting 2026

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that, starting February 14, 2026, the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature will no longer be available for a one-time purchase and will instead be offered exclusively via monthly subscription. In the U.S., the standard subscription price will be $199 per month, while customers who previously purchased Enhanced Autopilot will qualify for a discounted rate of $99 per month. This subscription model was already rolled out in Australia and New Zealand in 2025, priced at AUD 149 and NZD 159 per month, respectively. The move aims to shift revenue from one-time payments to recurring income—a model more favored by capital markets—and simultaneously lower the barrier to entry for users. Industry analysts note that this change may be linked to Musk’s controversial trillion-dollar compensation package, which requires Tesla to achieve a target of 10 million active FSD subscribers, making it a key driver behind the company’s strategic shift in business model.