Tesla FSD: Price Increase and End of Free Autopilot

Tesla has just announced a major change in its pricing strategy that is likely to raise some eyebrows: the Full Self-Driving subscription will increase, and that’s far from the only bad news. I hesitated for a long time to subscribe to FSD, and this announcement completely changes the game for all Tesla owners, whether current or future.

Currently offered at $99 per month in the United States, this subscription provides access to advanced semi-autonomous driving features. But here’s the double blow: not only will the price gradually increase, but Tesla is also removing the one-time purchase option AND basic Autopilot features on new vehicles.

This Tesla pricing strategy raises many questions, especially in France where we are still awaiting certain features. Let me explain what’s really going on and what it concretely means for your wallet.

FSD Subscription Becomes Mandatory and More Expensive

The date to remember? February 14, 2026. From this deadline, it will no longer be possible to purchase Full Self-Driving outright for $8,000. Tesla is now imposing an exclusive subscription model, a decision that radically transforms the financial equation for us, users.

And that’s not all: the manufacturer has announced a gradual price increase for the subscription, correlated with improvements to the system’s capabilities. Even if the exact amount is not yet confirmed, estimates are around $150 per month, or even more.

My analysis? Tesla clearly wants to secure recurring revenue rather than a one-time payment. It’s logical from a business perspective, but it changes the game for us. Let’s take a concrete example: if you drive for 5 years with FSD on a $150 per month subscription, you’ll pay $9,000 compared to $8,000 for an outright purchase today. And over 10 years? That goes up to $18,000.

I understand the logic behind this decision, but frankly, it’s hard to accept when we know the system still requires constant driver supervision.

Basic Autopilot Removed: Tesla Removes Safety Features

What’s Being Removed

Here, I have to admit, it’s a bit shocking. Tesla is removing automatic lane centering (Autosteer) from basic Autopilot on new vehicles. Concretely, only Traffic Aware Cruise Control will remain.

Before, your Tesla automatically maintained its trajectory on the highway. Now, it’s up to you, unless you pay for the FSD subscription. For me, who uses these features daily, it’s a real step backward in terms of comfort AND safety.

Because yes, let’s talk about safety: lane centering is not just a comfort gadget; it’s also a valuable aid to prevent unintentional lane departures, especially when fatigued.

A Decision That Causes Grumbling

Unsurprisingly, the Tesla community didn’t really appreciate this announcement. And for good reason: automotive competition offers these standard safety features on many models, even entry-level ones.

Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, and many others integrate lane keeping as standard. Even vehicles costing €25,000 offer this technology without extra cost. So when Tesla, which positions itself as a leader in automotive innovation, removes these functions, it inevitably raises questions.

Is this a strategy to push more customers towards paid FSD? Probably. Is it the right approach? I have my doubts. Personally, I think it harms the brand image more than anything else.

Why Tesla Justifies This Increase (and if it’s Credible)

Elon Musk’s Vision: An FSD Worth $100,000

Elon Musk stated as early as 2020: the value of Full Self-Driving will “probably be greater than $100,000” once the system is fully autonomous and unsupervised. An ambitious vision that is part of the Cybercab project, these autonomous robotaxis meant to revolutionize urban transport.

But pay attention to the crucial nuance: there is a fundamental difference between supervised vs. autonomous FSD. Today, the system still requires your constant attention and your hands ready to take the wheel at any moment. Tomorrow, according to Musk, your Tesla will be able to drive you while you sleep or work.

The project the $25,000 compact Tesla project and the Cybercab aim for an operating cost of $0.20 per mile, all-inclusive. I confess I’m waiting to see this unsupervised FSD before fully believing it. For now, we’re still far from it, and the impressive technical capabilities of certain Tesla models are not yet enough to guarantee full autonomy.

The Numbers That (Don’t) Add Up

Let’s put these promises into perspective with the current economic reality. According to the AAA, the average cost of vehicle ownership in the United States is $0.77 per mile (gas, insurance, maintenance, depreciation).

Let’s compare with transportation alternatives:

• Uber/Lyft: between $1 and $4 per mile depending on the city and time
• Waymo (current robotaxis): $0.60 to $1+ per mile
• Cybercab Goal: $0.20 per mile all-inclusive (energy, maintenance, insurance)

To achieve this revolutionary cost per mile of $0.20 per mile, Tesla announces an energy efficiency of 5.5 to 6 miles per kWh for the Cybercab. Technically impressive, but concretely, we’re still far from it.

My analysis? These projections are impressive on paper, but the gap between future promises and the current subscription that is increasing now raises questions. The FSD profitability for us, current users, remains difficult to justify as long as the system is not truly autonomous.

What Does This Change for Us, Owners in France?

If you are a French Tesla owner like me, you’re probably wondering what the impact will be on the European market. Historically, American pricing changes often precede those in Europe by a few months.

Personally, I already use some advanced features of my Tesla daily, but not full FSD (which is also limited in France by regulations). This announced increase makes me think twice before taking the plunge.

What are your concrete alternatives?

• Continue without FSD: you keep adaptive cruise control, but lose automatic centering on new models
• Test the subscription monthly: practical for occasional long trips without long-term commitment
• Wait for a more mature version: unsupervised FSD could justify the price if it ever arrives
• Optimize your current usage: you can optimize your daily Tesla usage with existing features

The Tesla community is also calling for a tiered pricing system: an FSD Lite with basic functions, a Standard for city driving, and a Premium for full autonomy. That seems like a much more logical and accessible approach to me.

My advice? Evaluate your real needs before committing. If you primarily make short urban trips, the current FSD won’t provide value proportional to its cost. For frequent highway trips, the equation might be different.

This aggressive pricing strategy – price increase, subscription requirement, and removal of basic Autopilot – marks a major turning point in Tesla’s commercial approach. I understand the technological ambition behind the autonomous driving project, but the method raises serious questions, particularly according to industry analysts who scrutinize the evolution of this market.

The question remains open: will FSD truly justify its price when it is genuinely autonomous? The real value of FSD will be measured by its ability to deliver on Elon Musk’s promises. And you, are you willing to pay more for FSD in its current state, or do you prefer to wait for the technology to truly live up to expectations?

In the meantime, I continue to enjoy my Tesla daily, hoping that this price escalation will be accompanied by concrete and measurable improvements to the system.