Tesla giving compatible cars one month of free 'Full Self-Driving' tech

Thousands of drivers will get to try Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" technology (which, despite its name, does not make a car fully autonomous) for free for one month. The company is rolling out the feature to compatible cars via an over-the-air software update, according to CEO Elon Musk.

Musk made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. Most of the cars that Tesla has recently built are compatible with Full Self-Driving technology, though the feature isn't enabled if it's not paid for. However, many older models can't receive Full Self-Driving.

Like any free trial, whether it's from Amazon, your local brewery, or Netflix, the aim is to get consumers to spend money. Someone might try Full Self-Driving for a month, like it, and order it. As of writing, it's one of Tesla's most expensive options: It adds $12,000 to the cost of a new Model 3, though owners can also subscribe to it via the infotainment system's touchscreen for anywhere between $99 and $199 per month.