Tesla goes all in on FSD, ends Enhanced Auto Pilot option in Australia

Tesla has taken another key step in its move to offering its full self driving software – FSD Supervised – by removing the option of Enhanced Auto Pilot (EAP) in the configurator for new customer purchases.

The move comes two weeks after Tesla released FSD Supervised to all eligible Hardware 4.0 (also known as AI4) capable cars in Australia and New Zealand, making it the first right-hand-drive markets in the world to get it. That news also came with the announcement that subscription and FSD-enabled test drives were to come.

Previously, EAP was available to purchase for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles for $5,100. It included features that are on top of the basic autopilot, including:

• Navigate on Autopilot
• Auto Lane Change
• Autopark
• Smart Summon

These features have now been replaced with the FSD Supervised option, the only one available to customers placing an order for a new Tesla.

The company now also shows that a subscription is on its way by stating: “Coming Soon: $149/mo Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Subscription”.

FSD Supervised was rolled out to customers with Hardware 4.0 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, who had prepaid for FSD, and were able to download the update from Thursday, 18 September. This is done with an over-the-air (OTA) update using WiFi.

FSD Supervised on new vehicles currently has a pricing of $10,100, with the previously mentioned monthly subscription to come as an option for those not wanting to fork out the outright purchase amount.

According to Tesla, this software is a hands-on feature and doesn’t make the car fully autonomous, hence drivers need to keep complete control of the vehicle, while in the driver’s seat. 

In the case where the driver is not paying attention, thanks to the observations by the in-cabin camera, warnings from the software will be issued to pay attention. If the driver ignores these on multiple occasions and does not apply force to the steering wheel, the system will be unavailable on that drive.

The FSD-supervised system has been trained using billions of kilometres of real-world data and according to the company, it can make daily driving stress-free and safer for all road users. In our experience, it was the case when we tested it earlier this month.

With the official public release of FSD Supervised now available to customers and EAP no longer an option, it clearly shows Tesla’s move to increase the software’s uptake in the coming months and years. 

This should improve confidence in the system for both new and existing customers as Tesla heads into the quarter, where an even more affordable upcoming model is expected to generate massive interest in the brand globally.

See our reviews: Tesla FSD Supervised tested: A game-changing moment for the future of transport

and: Tesla FSD Supervised review: Truly mind blowing, but not flawless