At present, equipping Full Self-Driving capability is a $12,000 option when ordering a Tesla, and that’s just the hardware to enable it once the feature becomes fully viable. Until then, if you are selected, you can use the functionality under the current beta testing phase.
Effectively, you’re paying as much as 30% extra (in the case of a base Model 3) for the potential to beta-test an unfinished product. Typically, software developers pay beta testers to test a product before it reaches the market. If Tesla’s tactic sounds scammy, well, it is, at least in our eyes.
Still, at least the technology seems to be making strides, and it must be said that, in clear weather and minimal traffic (perfect conditions), a Tesla display car performed admirably. While some owners have experienced the same, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for all, and several beta testers have encountered some pretty dodgy behavior from the self-driving EVs in the past.
At least we can now see how it’s meant to operate when all goes well.
