Tesla Updates Referral Program With Bigger Incentives, but Introduces Referral Limit

Tesla has once again updated its referral program

Not a Tesla App

Tesla is shifting gears on its referral program, specifically for the Model 3 and Model Y buyers. Until recently, Tesla owners and buyers could earn 2,000 credits for a Model 3 or Model Y referral or purchase. The newly minted change will now allow owners to pocket 10,000 credits for referring someone to a Model 3/Y purchase.

In contrast, Model 3 and Y buyers will not accumulate credits; instead, they will get a $500 price cut and three months of Full Self-Driving (FSD) trial. The awards for Model S and X buyers remain the same at $1,000 off and a 3-month FSD trial.

Enhanced Autopilot and FSD Removed as Rewards

Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks in these latest updates. Tesla has removed Enhanced Autopilot and FSD as referral rewards. This is a significant blow as these were some of the most attractive awards if you could accumulate enough credits. FSD previously required 120,000 credits.

However, the FSD trial promises an exciting opportunity for new owners to experience a key feature of Tesla's software ecosystem. It includes Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, and Smart Summon. Unfortunately, owners who receive a vehicle with hardware 4.0 will not be able to activate FSD Beta in the U.S. and Canada yet until HW4 is supported.

Referral Program Limit

Along with these reward updates, Tesla has also imposed a strict limit on the number of referrals an owner can obtain.

According to Tesla's updated terms, owners are now limited to five referrals per calendar year. So while Tesla is increasing the rewards for Model 3 and Model Y referrals, owners will not be limited to the five referrals across all of their products, including solar. Tesla's referral program continues evolving, so this could also change at any time.

Although an owner is limited to five referrals per calendar year, a buyer may continue to use any referral code to be eligible for the discount and free FSD trial, even if the owner has already met the referral limit.

Tesla China Cash Rewards Program

Tesla also has plans to enhance its cash rewards program in China. The U.S.-based automaker's cash rewards in China operate similarly to its referral program in the United States. Existing Tesla owners who refer the company's cars to others could receive cash rewards if the recommendation concludes in a vehicle sale. The updated referral program will be applied to Model 3 and Model Y sales in China.

Implications for Tesla's Ecosystem

The changes to Tesla's referral program have significant implications for its broader ecosystem. Firstly, the revamped rewards incentivize owners to preach Tesla's products, increasing the brand's word-of-mouth publicity. It also adds value for the new owners, who now get a price reduction and the chance to experience the FSD trial.

Besides the referral limit, these changes do not appear to affect Tesla's Solar Roof and Solar Panel referral program. Similarly, the recently adjusted referral program for Model S/X, offering 20,000 referral credits, a cash discount, and a three-month trial of FSD, remains unaffected.

The revamp of the referral program showcases Tesla's strategy to enhance customer experience and increase the uptake of its vehicles. For referring owners and new buyers, it's clear that Tesla aims to deliver more value and improve the benefits of being part of the Tesla community.

Tesla FSD in Europe: June Update

Not a Tesla App

The road to bringing FSD to Europe has been a long and complex one and filled with regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles. Elon Musk, as well as other members of Tesla’s AI team, have previously voiced their grievances with the regulatory approval process on X.

However, it appears that there is finally some progress in getting things moving with recent changes to upcoming autonomy regulations, but the process still seems slow.

Waiting on the Dutch

Elon commented on X recently, stating that Tesla is waiting for approval from Dutch authorities and then the EU to start rolling out FSD in Europe. Tesla is focusing on acquiring approvals from the Dutch transportation authority, which will provide them with the platform they need to gain broader acceptance in Europe. Outside of the Netherlands, Tesla is also conducting testing in Norway, which provides a couple of avenues for them to obtain national-level approval.

The frustration has been ongoing, with multiple committee meetings bringing up autonomy regulation but always pulling back at the last second before approving anything. The last meeting on Regulation 157, which governs Automated Lane Keeping Systems, concluded with authorities from the UK and Spain requesting additional time to analyze the data before reaching a conclusion.

Tesla, as well as Elon, have motioned several times for owners to reach out to their elected representatives to move the process forward, as it seems that Tesla’s own efforts are being stymied. 

This can seem odd, especially since Tesla has previously demoed FSD working exceptionally smoothly on European roads - and just did it again in Rome when they shared the video below on X.

FSD Supervised testing in Rome, Italy

Pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/TXh3uQIfrx

— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) June 12, 2025

DCAS Phase 3

While the approval process has been slow, Kees Roelandschap pointed out that there may be a different regulatory step that could allow FSD to gain a foothold in Europe.

According to Kees, the European Commission is now taking a new approach to approving ADAS systems under the new DCAS Phase 3 regulations. The Commission is now seeking data from systems currently operational in the United States that can perform System-Initiated Maneuvers and don’t require hands-on intervention for every request.

This is key because those are two of the core functionalities that make FSD so usable, and it also means that there may not be a need to wait years for proper regulations to be written from scratch. Now, the Commission will be looking at real-world data based on existing, deployed technology, which could speed up the process immensely.

What This Means

This new, data-driven regulatory approach could be the path for Tesla to reach its previous target of September for European FSD. While the cogs of bureaucracy are ever slow, sometimes all it takes is a little data to have them turn a bit faster in this case.

Alongside specific countries granting approval for limited field testing with employees, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for FSD in Europe, and hopes are that a release will occur by the end of 2025. With Europe now looking to North America for how FSD is performing, Tesla’s Robotaxi results could also play a role.

Follow

Follow

Follow

Tesla Launches 'TeslaVision' Contest With Big Prizes — See Last Year’s Winner [VIDEO]

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.

Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.

Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase

Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.

Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.

The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH

— Tesla (@Tesla) June 10, 2025

The Contest

The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.

Prizes

The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.

For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.

The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.

The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.

Hopefully, these winners will also have the opportunity to experience the Robotaxi network while they’re in Austin, as it’s expected to be opened to the public later this month.

Project Loveday

For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:

How to Enter

If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:

• Video must be 90 seconds or less

• Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL

• Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.

• Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form

• Provide your personal details in the form

• You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.

You can find the official submission form and all region-specific details on Tesla's website.

Follow

Follow

Follow