Tesla launches one-month free trial of full self-driving feature in China

Tesla has announced a one-month free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature for Chinese customers.

Running from March 17 to April 16, the trial offers selected Tesla owners the chance to experience the company’s advanced driver-assistance technology, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The FSD feature will be gradually rolled out to compatible vehicles, although Tesla has noted that full coverage may not be achievable due to various factors.

The company clarified that while the FSD system offers sophisticated capabilities, it remains classified as a Level 2 combined driver-assistance feature, as per China’s GB/T 40429-2021 standard. Tesla highlighted that the feature “may not implement new functions in all real-world scenarios,” with performance potentially varying depending on road conditions, weather, and other external factors.

Tesla strongly emphasised that driver intervention is still required at all times. The company cautioned that failure to intervene could lead to risks such as collisions or incorrect identification of traffic signals and road signs.

Drivers are urged to keep both hands on the wheel, stay alert to road conditions and surrounding traffic, and be ready to take immediate action, particularly when navigating blind curves, intersections, and narrow roads. Tesla further reminded users that they remain legally responsible for any traffic violations, accidents, or penalties while using the system.

The trial offers city street navigation capabilities, enabling vehicles to exit highways, navigate intersections, recognise traffic signals, make turns, and change lanes automatically, in accordance with navigation routes or road conditions. The system also uses the cabin camera to monitor driver attention.

Eligible customers can check for map version CN-2025.8-15218 and software version 2024.45.32.12 in their vehicles to verify eligibility. Upon updating, the touchscreen will display “FSD Smart Driving Assistance” within the Autopilot settings.

For those interested in purchasing the feature after the trial, Tesla offers the FSD Smart Driving Assistance package for 64,000 yuan ($8,781.80). Vehicles already equipped with Enhanced Autopilot are eligible for a discounted upgrade price of 32,000 yuan ($4,390.40).

Tesla has seen a decline in global and Chinese sales this year, and the launch of this FSD trial program is seen as an effort to boost revenue, though the effectiveness of this strategy remains to be seen.

By Aghakazim Guliyev