Tesla to offer self-driving software only on monthly basis from Feb. 14, Musk says

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday that the electric vehicle maker’s full self-driving (FSD) software will only be available as a monthly subscription only.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday that the electric vehicle maker’s full self-driving (FSD) software will only be available as a monthly subscription after Feb. 14.

Currently, Tesla allows its electic vehicle owners to purchase FSD (Supervised) for a one-time payment of US$8,000 or a subscription of $99 per month in the U.S.

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FSD is an assistance system that requires drivers to pay attention and intervene if needed.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year opened an investigation into 2.88 million Tesla vehicles equipped with its FSD system, based on over more than 50 reports of traffic-safety violations and a series of crashes.

Tesla has added the term “supervised” for FSD in passenger vehicles. It uses an unsupervised version of the software when moving cars from assembly lines to delivery lots at some of its factories.

Autopilot helps Tesla vehicles accelerate, brake, and stay in lanes on highways. FSD enables vehicles to change lanes and obey traffic signals on city streets.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)