Tesla Changes Course, Again, On Full-Self Drive Transfer By March 31
March 10, 2026
Earlier in the year, Tesla announced it is no longer offering Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as a one-time purchase, and has chosen to make it a subscription service instead. Crucially for many owners, Tesla promised customers that had already made the one-time purchase they would be able to transfer it to their next vehicle if they took delivery by March 31.
Tesla then changed the FSD Transfer program terms so customers that ordered by March 31 could transfer. Now Tesla has backtracked, and it’s only applicable on cars delivered by March 31 again. Everyone following that?
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TeslaThe revision to allow orders before March 31 to qualify for transfer appeared in the Full Self-Driving (FSD) transfer program terms on January 20, 2026. Only Tesla knows why it changed terms so close to the cutoff date, but it does coincide with reports that orders for the entry-level Cybertruck at its $59,999 price have been strong.
However, the introductory price for the entry-level Cybertruck has also changed, rising to $69,990 and deliveries aren’t expected until this summer. For those not keeping track, the entry-level model Cybertruck was initially promised at $40,000.
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As far as anyone can tell, customers that already ordered and have an expected delivery window before March 31 will still have their FSD purchase transferred to the new vehicle. Even if the delivery date moves back due to delays on Tesla’s end. But that doesn’t help people that have been getting ready to pull the trigger on a new Tesla. Including those looking at a Model S or Model X before production ends.
Cybertruck shoppers don’t have the option to shift to the Dual-Motor AWD model as it isn’t in stock. As a result, Tesla is offering full refunds, including the usually non-refundable $250 order fee.
End Of Quarter Sales
It’s likely no coincidence that Tesla was dangling the carrot of making orders before March 31 for FSD transfers, as it is the final day of the current fiscal quarter. Only Tesla knows if it has made its sales target in the US or has pulled the plug early because the numbers weren’t coming in, and a subscription model is more lucrative in the long run. As is, theoretically, adding another $9,995 to the entry-level model’s price.
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Data from Europe suggests January was a poor month for Tesla sales, and that’s when the transfer offer based on orders before March 31 dropped. Add poor sales in Europe to the recent news that China’s BYD brand has taken over from Tesla as the best-selling EV brand in the world, and it makes sense that Tesla pushed for more sales in the US to bulk up the quarter here. BYD doesn’t operate in the US, and the Cybertruck is only available in North America.
It doesn’t seem like a good decision to make the Cybertruck do the heavy lifting in sales, though. Cybertruck sales were so small last year that Tesla didn’t reveal the exact figures, instead lumping them in with the Model S and Model X. With all three combined, the company sold only 50,850 units last year. So Cybertruck is still a fraction of that amount.
Sources: Carscoops / CleanTechnica
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