Tesla FSD: purchase no longer possible, only one exception remains

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, Tesla ended an era by removing the direct purchase option for Full Self-Driving (FSD) in the United States. As a Tesla owner and a close observer of the brand’s evolution, I have to tell you that this decision surprised me, even if it fits into Elon Musk’s economic logic.

The FSD represents much more than just an option: it is the pillar of Tesla’s autonomous vision, a key element that sets the brand apart from its competitors. Now, only one loophole remains to get lifetime FSD: the Luxury package exclusive to the Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X.

Let’s analyze this strategic turning point together and its concrete implications for you, whether you’re a current owner or a future buyer.

The end of an era: Tesla abandons direct FSD purchase

February 16, 2025, officially marks the end of the one-time purchase option for Full Self-Driving. Historically, Tesla offered this feature for purchase between $6,000 and $15,000 depending on the period, with price fluctuations that sometimes made the purchase strategy complex.

The new reality is simple: a $99 monthly subscription as the only standard option for the majority of vehicles. I always thought that direct purchase was reassuring, even if the price varied constantly, because it offered financial certainty over the long term.

Let’s do a quick calculation: $99/month represents $1,188/year, which is $5,940 over 5 years or $11,880 over 10 years. This transition to a subscription business model (comparable to SaaS in the software sector) radically transforms the FSD value proposition.

For Tesla, this removal of direct purchase guarantees predictable recurring revenue. For you, it means a continuous financial commitment with no prospect of “finishing paying” for this feature.

The Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X exception: the “Luxury” package as the only way out

What this premium package really contains

The Luxury package is now the only way to get lifetime FSD when purchasing a Tesla vehicle. This package, offered exclusively on the Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X (recently extended to the Cyberbeast), includes four major elements:

1. Lifetime FSD (note: non-transferable, a crucial point I’ll address just after)
2. Free lifetime Supercharging with access to 75,000+ global stations
3. Free Premium Connectivity including music streaming, real-time navigation, and updates
4. 4-year Premium Service covering tires, windshields, and routine maintenance

This package looks like an attractive all-inclusive offer, but watch out for the fine print that changes everything. The extra cost amounts to $10,000 on top of the already high base price of the Tesla Model S and X. If you want to maximize the use of the free Supercharging included in the package, you’ll need to adopt a well-thought-out charging strategy.

For those considering these high-end models, you can check out my full review of the Tesla Model S Plaid to better understand if this investment is worth it.

The restriction that changes everything: FSD non-transferability

Here is the detail that radically transforms the equation: with the new Tesla policy, FSD remains linked to the vehicle AND the original owner. Concretely, this means two important things:

• You cannot transfer FSD to a new owner when reselling your vehicle
• You cannot transfer it to your next personal Tesla

This restriction considerably reduces the resale value of your vehicle. I calculated that on the used market, a vehicle with transferable FSD sold for about $3,000 to $5,000 more. With this new policy, this advantage completely disappears.

Compared to the old system where some transfers were possible (notably during one-off promotions), this change represents a significant loss of flexibility for owners.

The financial stakes behind this strategic shift

A revealing figure: only 12% of Tesla owners currently subscribe to FSD. For Elon Musk, drastically increasing this adoption rate is not just a commercial goal; it’s a condition for unlocking a significant portion of his personal compensation.

The analysis of the business model is simple: recurring revenue from subscriptions is much more valued by financial markets than one-time purchases. A customer who pays $99/month for 10 years generates nearly $12,000, compared to a one-time purchase that peaked around $8,000-$10,000 in the latest versions.

I understand the business logic: FSD development costs billions in research, infrastructure, and data collection. Tesla needs to finance these colossal investments. But does this financial strategy really serve the interest of owners?

The question arises: are we seeing the beginning of a future where all premium Tesla features would be offered exclusively by subscription?

What concrete options are there for current and future owners?

The $99/month subscription: who is it really for?

The FSD subscription has a specific ideal profile: users who drive a lot on the highway. If you do less than 500 km/month in highway conditions, the added value becomes questionable.

Personally, I only activate my subscription for long trips, which allows me to save several hundred dollars a year. Flexibility is the real advantage: you can activate and deactivate according to your monthly needs.

Be careful though: Tesla has already increased the rate several times in the past. The price went from $199 to $99 in 2023, but there’s no guarantee it will stay at that level. A hike to $149 or $199 in the coming months cannot be ruled out.

If you’re considering a purchase soon, I advise you to best prepare for your Tesla delivery by thinking carefully about the options that match your actual usage.

The upcoming differentiation between Supervised vs. Unsupervised FSD

Persistent rumors suggest the creation of two distinct pricing tiers: Supervised FSD (the current version requiring constant monitoring) and full Autonomous FSD (a future version theoretically allowing driving without intervention).

The potential impact? A more expensive FSD subscription for the unsupervised version, perhaps $199 or more. My pragmatic advice: if you’re hesitating about the Tesla Model S/X package, wait to see the concrete evolution of FSD before committing an extra $10,000.

Different treatment depending on the market

Tesla does not apply this policy uniformly across all international markets. In Australia, the deadline to buy FSD has been pushed back to March 31, 2025, offering extra time for local buyers.

Regarding Europe and France specifically, Tesla has not yet officially communicated an imminent change. But knowing the brand’s usual strategy, an alignment with the American model seems likely in the coming weeks.

Tesla generally tests its new policies in the United States before rolling them out progressively elsewhere. I advise you to closely follow official communications if you’re considering a purchase soon, and to sign up for Tesla alerts so you don’t miss any transitional offers.

To anticipate these developments, it’s useful to consult official Tesla information regarding the deployment of autonomous driving.

FSD is de facto becoming a subscription service for the majority of owners, except for those who invest in the premium package for the Tesla Model S and X. My recommendation? Take the time to calculate your actual usage before committing, whether to a monthly subscription or a $10,000 package.

And what about you, do you use FSD? What do you think of this change in Tesla strategy? Feel free to share your experience in the comments; it helps the whole community better understand the real value of this technology.

I will continue to follow the evolution of this situation closely and keep you informed of future developments, particularly regarding the rollout in Europe and any potential price changes.