Axing one-cost availability for monthly payments is in tune with trend change, brand says.

ORIGINALLY offered as a set-price option that only became relevant here when technology caught up last year, the Full Self-Driving FSD (Supervised) feature for Tesla cars sold here will soon only be a monthly subscription service.

The revision for the controversial option, which enables the car to the equivalent of Level Two autonomy - though some advocates still seem to believe it is much better than that - enacts on April 1.

This means buyers will no longer be able to permanently add FSD(S) at the point of vehicle purchase, a $11,400 hit, with access instead provided exclusively by paying $159 per month.

Tesla says its move to a subscription-only model for the feature aligns with a broader shift toward software-as-a-service offerings in the automotive sector.

It says customers wishing to purchase FSD(S) outright must place their order by March 31. Delivery can be after this date.

FSD has been a highly contentious Tesla technology; initially integrations coping blame for accidents, notably in North America.

Until the brand made it a feature for latest Model 3 and Model Y, FSD (S) has been a dormant technology for this market.

Using cameras and advanced software to accelerate, brake, steer and navigate traffic all on its own, without the driver having to touch the wheel, it only works here with cars enabled with the Hardware 4 (HW4) technology pack that came as part of an update mid last year, and availed for NZ last September.

A patch to enable older cars is thought to be in development.

One owner of a Model 3 he bought in the launch year, 2021, told this writer recently he has been advised in writing his car will be active by July. He paid for FSD when buying the car. It was then only slightly cheaper than the current cost.

Tesla has also confirmed its Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) and FSD(S) transfer programme – which allows eligible customers to transfer purchased software between vehicles – will conclude at the end of the current trade-in and trade-up retail campaign on March 31 and will not be extended.

It says customers are being notified of the changes, with communications outlining key deadlines for outright purchase, software transfers and incentive eligibility.