New York, Jan 14, 2026, 06:12 EST — Premarket
- Shares of Tesla dipped slightly in premarket trading following Elon Musk’s hint at a change in Full Self-Driving pricing.
- The $8,000 one-time purchase would be scrapped, leaving FSD available only as a monthly subscription.
- Investors are watching closely as a U.S. agency takes a new step toward mediation in its racism lawsuit against Tesla.
Tesla shares dipped roughly 0.4% to $447.20 in premarket trading Wednesday. This followed CEO Elon Musk’s announcement that the company will end one-time purchases of its Full Self-Driving software after Feb. 14. 1
This shift is significant since FSD stands as one of Tesla’s key plays for boosting higher-margin software income, especially now that vehicle demand and pricing are carrying more weight in the core business. Dropping the upfront purchase option might slow customer uptake and alter Tesla’s revenue recognition timeline.
Investors, already jittery over how “autonomy” will translate into near-term revenue—not just the long game—are watching closely. Tesla’s quarterly results drop later this month, and its take on software and services has turned into a crucial focus for traders.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) package is priced at $8,000 upfront or $99 per month in the U.S., the company says. The system assists drivers but still demands their attention and readiness to take control. U.S. safety regulators have intensified scrutiny, launching an investigation last year into 2.88 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the feature. 2
Separately, Tesla has agreed to mediation aimed at settling a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit. The suit accuses the automaker of allowing severe and widespread harassment of Black workers at its Fremont, California, factory. According to a court filing, talks could kick off in March or April, with a proposal due to the judge by June 17 if mediation falls through. 3
The pricing shift coincides with a bumpy policy and demand environment for the wider EV market. Consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence reported a 20% rise in global EV registrations in 2025 but forecast a slowdown for 2026. It described last year’s policy changes as a “virtually unrecognisable landscape” and pointed to a steep decline in North America following the expiration of the U.S. EV tax credit scheme in October. 4
U.S. index futures dipped as investors awaited key bank earnings, retail sales figures, and producer price data. Several Federal Reserve officials are also scheduled to speak later today. 5
Offering FSD as a subscription might steady Tesla’s software income, but it eliminates the one-off payment choice some customers bundled with their vehicle loans. That shift is likely to surface initially in how buyers act, rather than in headline prices.
The bigger risk lies in execution and oversight. Regulators might ramp up scrutiny on how driver-assistance features are marketed and their safety claims. Plus, the mediation phase in the EEOC case could fail to yield a settlement, leaving legal uncertainty hanging over the company.
Tesla’s Q4 earnings drop on Jan. 28 stands as the next key moment for investors. They’ll be watching closely for clues on software pricing, adoption rates, and regulatory risks before the Feb. 14 transition. 6
