Tesla FSD 12.4 has yet to go out to most eligible customers, but last night it took a big step toward achieving that. FSD v12.4.3 went out to the largest batch of FSD vehicles in North America so far, more than tripling the number of users on the latest Tesla FSD software.
Update: Another wave of FSD 12.4.3 just started going out this evening. This wave just started and it’s already the largest wave for this release. It’s estimated to be about 12% of FSD users.
Most vehicles with FSD in North America are now on update 2024.14.9 which includes FSD 12.3.6. However, these vehicles have been on this FSD version since it was first introduced with update 2024.3.25. About 25% of the Tesla fleet is on update 2024.14.9, which is almost exclusively vehicles that have bought or subscribed to FSD.
Before yesterday’s rollout, FSD 12.4.3 stood at about 1.3% of the entire fleet (not just FSD vehicles), but after yesterday’s release, about 3.3% of the fleet now has access to FSD v12.4.3. That appears to be about 10% of FSD users that now have access to FSD 12.4.3. If Tesla doesn’t see major issues with this wave, this could be the point where FSD 12.4.3 finally goes into wide release and becomes available to most users in the next week.
Roll Out and Eligibility
We should hopefully see another rollout of FSD 12.4.3 later today or tomorrow. This latest FSD release is update 2024.15.15, which means that it’s available to anyone on a 2024.14 update or earlier. Users who have recently subscribed or resubscribed to FSD and are on update 2024.20 won’t be able to receive FSD 12.4 or later until it becomes available on a branch that is higher than 2024.20.
Tesla doesn’t merge FSD software with the main Tesla branches often so historically speaking, it could be another month or even two before that happens.
With FSD 12.4, Tesla has not only removed the steering wheel nag when the cabin camera can clearly see the driver, but it has also introduced a new strike system. Tesla will now remove one strike from the vehicle’s record (strikes are shared for all drivers of the vehicle), for every week the drivers’ of the vehicle go without receiving an Autopilot strike.
However, with the release of FSD 12.4.3, Tesla is also resetting all vehicle strikes to zero so that drivers’ have a clean slate to start with.
Vision-Based Monitoring
In place of the steering wheel nag is the improved vision-based monitoring, which tracks the driver with the cabin camera. In update 12.4.2, Tesla specifically updated the release notes for vision-based monitoring to mention that the driver’s arms also need to be visible to the camera. Tesla also changed some language around when it uses the vision-based camera and when it relies on steering wheel torque.
Users who subscribe to FSD can sometimes pick whether they remain on the FSD track or the feature track of Tesla updates. If you subscribe to FSD and prefer to receive update 2024.20 instead of waiting for FSD 12.4.3, then you could let your FSD subscription lapse and Tesla will push update 2024.20 to your vehicle within a day. Keep in mind that your subscription needs to completely expire, not just be canceled.
The reason your vehicle remains on update 2024.14 is so that it remains eligible for FSD 12.4.3, however, when your FSD subscription expires, Tesla will send you the latest update your vehicle is eligible for. Right now that should be update 2024.20 for just about everyone. If you unsubscribe, you can immediately subscribe to FSD after you receive the latest update. However, doing so will mean that you won’t be eligible for FSD 12.4.3 or higher until the main FSD updates are based on a branch 2024.20 or higher, which may not be anytime soon.
Unfortunately, if you have bought FSD, then this isn’t an option for you. Hopefully, it won’t be long before another large wave of FSD 12.4.3 goes out.
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Tesla recently showed off Giga Small Haus, an interesting new display project hosted at Giga Berlin. The small new house is located just outside the main entrance of Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory, with a Quicksilver Model Y parked inside.
Giga Small Haus is powered only by solar and Powerwall 3 - disconnected from the local grid and from Giga Berlin itself. It serves as a live demonstration of Tesla Solar and Tesla’s Powerwall battery backup.
Giga Small Haus
The centerpiece of the display is a Model Y in Quicksilver - a beautiful pick for a beautifully lit house. However, that’s not the real focus here - it's the Powerwall and Gateway on the wall.
The Powerwall is the focus of Giga Small Haus, and there’s a display with some additional information on the wall. Part of the display also includes a screen that displays the current output of the Powerwall itself versus the consumption of Giga Small Haus, as well as the input from solar.
The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
Not a Tesla App
The text on the exhibit is divided into several sections. Here’s a translated and edited version of what we can see from Tesla’s images. Some additional text is obscured. If someone visits Giga Small Haus, let us know.
Powerwall
Powerwall is a home battery system that stores energy from solar panels, the electrical grid, or during off-peak hours and powers your home during the day or during a power outage.
With Powerwall, you can use self-generated solar energy during the day and night, thus avoiding high electricity costs. You can also store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during times of low production or power outages.
Key Features
Energy Storage: Powerwall stores excess energy from solar panels or the grid for later use or during power outages.
Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, Powerwall automatically switches to battery power to ensure continuous power supply.
Integration: Powerwall can be seamlessly integrated with existing solar systems and other power sources.
Scalability: Multiple Powerwalls can be installed to meet higher energy storage needs.
Smart Energy Management: Powerwall works with Tesla's software to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.
How Powerwall Works
Storage: During the day, when solar panels produce more energy than needed, the excess is stored in Powerwall.
Usage: At night or during times of low solar production, the stored energy is used to power the home, reducing reliance on the grid.
Backup: During a power outage, Powerwall automatically provides power to critical circuits, ensuring continuous operation of essential appliances.
Benefits
Cost Savings: By storing and using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills.
Reliability: Provides backup power during outages, ensuring your home remains powered.
Sustainability: Promotes the use of renewable energy by storing excess solar production for later use.
Overall, Giga Small Haus is an interesting real-life demo of what Powerwall and Solar can accomplish. It would be neat if Tesla built more of these displays - perhaps near major Delivery and Service Centers and at Giga Texas, Fremont, Giga Shanghai, and other facilities. Many Tesla owners have yet to learn about and experience some of Tesla’s Energy products.
Tesla has added the Acceleration Boost option to the Tesla store for owners of the 2024 Model 3 Long Range - specifically owners in Australia and China. Acceleration Boost is an upgrade that provides a significant performance boost, drastically narrowing the performance gap between the Long Range and Performance versions of the same model.
This upgrade will likely become available in Europe, Canada, and the United States in the next few days as Tesla updates its shops globally.
Acceleration Boost
This new Acceleration Boost is retailing for $3,000 AUD, or approximately $2,000 USD. That’s the same price for current owners of older Model 3 or Model Y Long Range vehicles, which all have the option to purchase Acceleration Boost through the shop.
The boost provides improved 0-100km/h (0-60mph) performance, bumping the 2024 Model 3 LR from 4.4s to 3.8s. The 2024 Performance version comes in at a blazing fast 2.9 seconds, so while it isn’t equivalent to just buying a performance variant in the first place, it is still a noticeable and significant upgrade.
Performance variants also come with a different front fascia vent for cooling, performance drive units, sport seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and Track Mode V3. That’s a significant number of additional features in the $10,000 USD price difference between the Long Range and Performance versions.
Should You Buy It?
If you’ve purchased a Long Range model and are itching to go just that little bit faster at every red light, this is the upgrade for you. It previously came with the cost of slightly reducing vehicle range, but the Tesla store doesn’t make a note of reduced range this time around. The 2023 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range models had an efficiency loss of about 5% due to the additional always-available acceleration and cooling.
You could drive in Chill mode to mostly negate that efficiency loss, but what’s the fun in driving in Chill when you just got Acceleration Boost? Anyhow, the shop listing for the 2024 variant doesn’t include this detail, so it's possible Tesla may have worked some more engineering magic.
Overall, if you’ve got the $3,000 AUD burning a hole in your pocket, some Tesla referral credits sitting around, or just want to go faster, it's definitely an upgrade many users find valuable.
