Tesla has announced a major change to how ‘full self-driving (FSD)’ is sold in the US, moving to a subscription-only model from February 2026. The monthly subscription pricing has not been announced yet. For now, this change does not apply to Australia, where it is still available for one-time purchase.
Tesla FSD’s upcoming subscription model in the US
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced via X that from February 14, 2026, Tesla car owners in the US will no longer be able to buy FSD outright. Instead, it will only be available as a monthly subscription.
This applies across Tesla’s whole lineup, and currently, people in the US pay US$8000 for a one-off FSD purchase and US$99 per month for monthly access.
Current FSD pricing in Australia and New Zealand
| Country | FSD (supervised) access fee |
| Australia | One-time purchase: $10,100; Monthly subscription: $149/month |
| New Zealand | One-time purchase: NZ$11,400; Monthly subscription: NZ$159/month |
There has been no announcement for the changes in full self-driving (FSD) pricing in Australia, so people there can still buy FSD outright.
MORE: Tesla extends warranty coverage in Australia
What could happen to FSD in Australia?
Tesla owners in Australia have been using full self-driving (supervised) for a while now, which means it may follow the US model sooner than some other markets, like the UK. FSD is still under testing in the UK and not available for public-road use.
Moreover, the US-based EV maker had also cancelled the more affordable ‘Enhanced Autopilot’ for FSD in Australia last year. It also already charges for other features, such as satellite navigation, which was once free for vehicles delivered before July 20, 2022.
Other brands that charge for software-based features
Some Toyota Connected Services features, such as remote engine start via the app, cost $9.95/month after the free 1-year trial. Ford Australia charges $15/month for satellite navigation.
Audi offers features like Matrix LED lighting effects or satellite navigation on flexible monthly, annual or one-time purchase paid plans. BMW also offers a variety of paid features like real-time traffic information (RTTI) and map updates after 3 to 4 years of complimentary access.
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