Tesla's new airbag helps prevent front passengers from colliding [video]

August 12, 2022

By Gabe Rodriguez Morrison

Additional far-side airbag for improved safety

Tesla/Weibo

The Model Y is one of the safest production vehicles because Tesla is constantly taking steps to further its outstanding safety ratings.

The latest safety improvement comes from Tesla China where Gigafactory Shanghai has started rolling out Model Ys with an additional airbag.

The new airbag optimizes the all-around safety of the Model Y and can help prevent front passengers from colliding with each other. With the new update in place, Giga Shanghai-produced Model Y's now come standard with an extra far-side airbag.

Tesla officially announced the addition of the new airbag on China-made Model Ys on Weibo. The translation reads:

“Design with safety first! Tesla China’s intelligently-made Model Y has been equipped with “remote airbags” as standard equipment to protect your travel safety in an all-around way. #Tesla uses intelligent safety to protect every consumer, and the safety gene is always the same #ThisisTesla

The additional side airbag is mounted on the inside of the driver’s seat. When deployed, the airbag can significantly reduce contact injuries between front occupants during a side crash. According to the Euro NCAP, about 25% of crash injuries in traffic accidents result from side crashes.

This update could make a substantial difference during side impact crashes, whereby occupants usually get thrown into each other.

The addition of the new airbag in Made in China (MiC) Model Ys is likely one of many recent upgrades to the Model Y production line in Gigafactory Shanghai. Based on this, we could soon see an extra far-side airbag added to the made in China Model 3, whose production lines in Giga Shanghai were also recently upgraded.

We could also see this upgrade come to other Gigafactories globally in the near future. As we've seen with other Tesla features, Tesla will often add a feature in one factory and will then update other factories when possible.

Watch Tesla China’s video on the Model Y’s far-side airbag in the video below.

Norway Approves Tesla’s FSD Testing on Public Roads; Potential for Europe-Wide Deployment

April 26, 2025

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

According to filings found by Kees Roelandschap on X, Tesla has obtained a 2-year exemption from UNECE autonomy regulations to run FSD Supervised on public roads in Norway. This marks one of the first positive developments for regulations and autonomy in Europe — great news for European customers.

Previously, European transportation agencies stressed additional caution and requested more time to legislate, further delaying the widespread UNECE regulation changes for autonomous vehicles.

Norwegian FSD - Employees Only

Following the recent approval from the Norwegian Road Authority, Tesla will be permitted to use its Supervised vehicles on public roads in a testing capacity. This exemption does not yet apply to customers, so we will have to wait and see how testing progresses.

Tesla will specifically be allowed to run FSD V13 and its derivative builds (meaning AI4 vehicles only) with automated steering and speed controls on EU-registered and approved vehicles.

Tesla will also be required to have Tesla-trained drivers (employees) conduct the testing. There is no specific policy in place that enables the use of FSD for customers at this time. However, as testing is conducted and bureaucratic hurdles are overcome across various transportation departments, Tesla may be able to extend the offer to European customers. According to Tesla’s latest earnings call, the company still plans to release FSD in Europe by the end of the year.

Tesla has already begun testing in the Netherlands, showing off FSD’s capabilities in Amsterdam.

FSD Supervised in Europe, pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/PYkcATjSUN
— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) April 5, 2025

Article 39 Exemption

The UNECE can grant exemptions for innovative technologies that move faster than legislation under Article 39. However, Tesla requires the backing of a national ministry of transport to bring this to the UNECE’s attention. The next round of voting on critical issues is expected on May 12, 2025, which may not leave Tesla much time to present its findings to UNECE.

We don’t expect Tesla to receive authorization immediately. It may take several weeks or months of testing from the Netherlands or Norway teams before one of the two countries is willing to support Tesla’s exemption bid.

However, if Tesla achieves an Article 39 exemption, it could allow Tesla to roll out FSD to customers across Europe, provided there are no country-level exemptions.

Tesla Reintroduces FSD Transfers in North America

April 25, 2025

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Following customer requests, Tesla has once again returned FSD Transfers for North America. This comes after some new details we received on FSD Supervised and Unsupervised at the recent Q1 2025 Earnings Call.

Vox Populi, Vox Dei … FSD Transfer is back

All countries (in NA), all S3XY + @cybertruck (excl Foundation Series & Launch Series)
— Tesla North America (@tesla_na) April 25, 2025

FSD Transfers

This latest round of FSD transfers doesn’t have a specific time limit - so if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and were worried about transferring FSD from a HW3 vehicle - now is the best chance.

This transfer opportunity is applicable for any new vehicle purchases, including the Model S, 3, X, Y, as well as the Cybertruck. The only vehicles it doesn’t apply to are the Foundation-Series Cybertruck or a Launch-Series Model Y, which already come with FSD included.

If you’re conducting an FSD transfer, you’ll need to reach out to your Tesla delivery coordinator through the Tesla app to confirm you’re eligible and to get the process started.

Note that once you take delivery, FSD access is removed from your older vehicle, regardless if you plan to trade in your vehicle or keep it.

Canada and Mexico

For those in Canada and Mexico, there’s some good news. This opportunity is available for customers in those countries as well, however, new vehicle orders are currently paused in Canada and Mexico for unknown reasons.