European document reveals that Tesla is adding hardware 4.0 to the Model S and Model X
Tesla
Tesla's highly anticipated FSD hardware 4, also known as HW4, will be installed in new vehicles any day. The company received European approval to sell its latest FSD hardware in the Model S and Model X vehicles.
The timeline for deployment of the new computer that operates the most technologically advanced vehicle in the world has been a mystery. There was some speculation that Tesla may hold off launching the highly advanced system until Cybertruck's release. However, only a limited number of Cybertrucks are expected this year, with full production starting in 2024.
Several Changes Incoming
Several other changes are being made to Teslas according to the European Certificate, issued by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW, dated January 20, 2023. The maximum speed for the Model S is increasing to 174 MPH (280 km/h) from the factory. But owners can tack on even more speed with the optional Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit, which will boost the car to the previously mentioned 200 MPH (322 km/h). It sounds like the Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit option may soon become available.
Hardware 4.0
Unfortunately, the European certificate doesn't reveal any details on what is included in Tesla's 4th generation Autopilot hardware. The system is expected to use 5-megapixel cameras, which will give Autopilot a substantial advantage in determining objects that are further away. The new hardware will also include a new FSD computer which is expected to be about 4x more powerful than the FSD computer in hardware 3 today. Additionally, HW4 is expected to include an HD radar, which could significantly improve FSD. In the same line item as the new FSD computer, Tesla also mentions a new GNSS antenna that is used for GPS. However, GNSS antennas also provide support for other systems such as GLONASS, Baidu, and Galileo.
Other Changes to the Model S and Model X
Other approved European updates are new Gen3 inverters and changes to the automatic headlights. In addition, the Model X will have a unified braking system and a new stay arm for the interior rear-view mirror. Finally, the cosmetic changes that rolled out in North America last month will also be implemented in Europe with the rear badging.
Retrofits will not be Offered by Tesla
It is yet to be known when the new hardware will debut, but Tesla will not retrofit the existing fleet. During the fourth quarter earnings call, Elon Musk said that the "cost and difficulty of retrofitting hardware 3 with hardware 4 is quite significant. So, it would not be, I think, economically feasible to do so."
This could be due to the new HD radar, new power, or space requirements for the new computer or radar, or due to complexities with wiring harnesses. It would also put a huge burden on Tesla Service, which would have to upgrade millions of vehicles. There could also be more to hardware 4.0 that has not been disclosed.
Model 3 and Model Y
It's not surprising that Tesla has decided to introduce hardware 4.0 to the Model S and Model X first. These are lower-volume vehicles and it makes sense for them to slowly roll out these changes. Parts may still be limited or Tesla may want to reduce the cost of a recall if there are any issues with the new hardware. We know the upcoming Cybertruck will also use hardware 4.0, but that still leaves the Model 3 and Model Y out. However, we speculate that Tesla will try to get the Model 3 and Y updated as soon as possible. Once the word is out that the Model S and Model X vehicles include hardware 4.0, many owners may prefer to wait before ordering or taking delivery of a Model 3 or Model Y.
We will likely find out more about FSD hardware 4.0 very soon as these vehicles start being delivered to customers.
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Tesla’s Giga Texas factory usually gives us the first site of Tesla’s upcoming products. We first saw the Cybertruck and Model Y castings here. With Giga Texas being one of Tesla’s largest factories, it’s logical that most products would originate here.
Tesla has also stated that it intends to manufacture the Cybercab, Semi, the next-generation vehicle, and Optimus at Giga Texas over the coming years. The affordable vehicle and Cybercab were originally intended to be manufactured at Giga Mexico, but the plans for that facility were waylaid by changes in economic policy.
Robotaxi Castings
These new castings were spotted by Joe Tegtmeyer, who regularly does drone flights of Giga Texas. Joe pointed out that these castings don’t look like the usual Model Y or Cybertruck castings usually seen outside Giga Texas.
With an eagle eye, @minusYCore on X also spotted some interesting text on the frames holding the castings up. In particular, the castings say “RTTX050” and “W68-RSF AS-CAST”. These could be interpreted as ‘Robotaxi Texas’ and ‘Rear SubFrame,’ as Tesla marks Cybertruck castings as “CTTX.” The as-cast portion indicates that these particular castings haven’t been trimmed yet, according to the X user.
The castings laid out.
@JoeTegtmeyer
The size and shape of these castings—combined with rumors that Tesla’s more affordable vehicle has been delayed—suggest that these castings are intended for the Cybercab.
These castings are much flatter and appear to be a different size than the castings found throughout Giga Texas, indicating that they are intended for an entirely different product.
It’s possible that these are the first castings used by Tesla to test their unboxed assembly process, which the Cybercab is expected to rely on. If you take a closer look at the video below, you’ll note that these new castings look very similar to the ones in the unboxed assembly video.
Interestingly, Tesla did say that they don’t intend to have the Cybercab available for customers before late 2026 or early 2027, but we’ll likely hear updated timelines as Tesla’s Q1 2025 Earnings Call tomorrow.
A more vertical look at the castings.
@JoeTegtmeyer
New Giga Presses
To top it all off, new parts for a Giga Press - the machine Tesla uses to make these castings - were also sighted in Texas. These machines are few and far between, and each one is highly specialized for the particular vehicle it produces. Seeing new parts coming in usually indicates that a new assembly line is under construction, or that changes are being made to an existing line to either expand it or update it.
There’s a lot happening and we will hopefully know more tomorrow evening.
Tesla’s first large-scale partner for the Tesla Semi - PepsiCo - is building out another Semi Megacharger site per a recent filing found by MarcoRP. Building out these Semi charging sites is expensive due to their much higher power output when compared to Superchargers.
Name Change
Interestingly enough, Tesla appears to have shifted its terminology recently, now often referring to the Semi’s high-power charging solution as Tesla Semi Chargers instead of the previously common "Megachargers." Regardless of the name, these chargers are crucial for the Semi. They’re designed to deliver 1.2 megawatts of charging power capable of adding hundreds of miles of range in roughly 30 minutes.
Frito-Lay Site
The new site detailed in the recent filing will be located at a Frito-Lay production plant on Hageman Road in Bakersfield, California. Permits were filed just a couple of days ago for the installation of eight Tesla Semi Charger stalls along with their associated electrical equipment.
This facility adds to PepsiCo's existing network of chargers, supporting the Tesla Semis operating out of their Sacramento facility, and highlights Bakersfield as the next expansion of the Semi’s operational area. Notably, this new Frito-Lay charging site is strategically located just five miles (approx. 8 km) away from a massive future public charging complex Tesla is planning on Kelton Way.
Kelton Way Charging Complex
Tesla’s planned charging complex in Bakersfield, which is just down the road, will feature 72 Supercharger stalls, as well as 18 Semi charger stalls. According to pre-permits filed last month, this site will be fairly large and accessible to both the public and Tesla’s partners.
A rendering of the Kelton Way site - with the Semi Chargers on the outside, and the Covered Supercharger site in the center.
@MarcoRPi1 on X
Tesla plans to develop a vacant plot right off the interstate into a large charging hub, which is now the second major public Semi Charger site we’ve heard about. For now, these sites will remain rare, but we expect that Tesla and its partners will be happy to expand them out further as required.
Carson Semi Charger Site
These Bakersfield developments – both the private Frito-Lay site and the large public Kelton Way hub will help lay out the necssary infrastructure for the Tesla Semi, much like the early days of Tesla’s Superchargers. Since Semi cannot be charged at a Supercharger site (the MCS plug is notably different than NACS), these sites are a must-have.
Tesla's first publicly accessible Semi Charger site planned near the Port of Long Beach in Carson, California, was one of the first signs of these types of Semi Charger facilities being established - and like Kelton Way, it also includes amenities for truck drivers. Tesla is also considering what long, medium, and short-haul truckers need for their stays at these sites.
As Tesla works to ramp up production of the Semi itself, the parallel expansion of dedicated, high-power charging infrastructure by both Tesla and its key partners are essential to making electric heavy-duty trucking a reality.
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