When you drive a Tesla, every time of the year is good, but December is just a little bit better. That’s because we know Santa Musk and the engineer elves have worked hard to create the best update of the year. To refresh your memory about how epic these updates are, check out our history of the Holiday Update.
A post on Reddit detailed more than 150 things that Tesla owners have on their wish list for the 2023 holiday update. We’ve narrowed it down to the items mentioned the most and added some themes. We will start our series with map and navigation enhancements.
Waze Integration: Real-Time Insights for the Road Ahead
The potential integration of Waze into Tesla's navigation system is possibly already on its way. Tesla hacker, Green, has done some poking around in the code and found enough clues that have the reliable X user reporting Waze-like features are in the works.
Known for its user-generated real-time traffic reports, Waze could offer Tesla drivers valuable insights into speed camera locations, road conditions, traffic jams, and even hazards on the route. However, it is not a collaboration with Waze, Tesla is incorporating its own features - as usual. The difference in Tesla implementation is that users won’t have to manually mark road debris, accidents, etc. Instead, Tesla will automatically pick up such incidents using their vision system, and share the data with the fleet.
This would lead to more efficient route planning, helping drivers avoid unexpected delays and maximize Tesla's electric range. It's a move that emphasizes community and shared knowledge, aligning perfectly with Tesla's vision of a connected and environmentally conscious future.
Traffic Lights and Stop Signs on the Map
One of the most requested features is the integration of traffic lights and stop signs directly into Tesla's navigation maps. This addition is more than a mere convenience; it would provide needed situational awareness by displaying real-time visibility of traffic controls. Tesla drivers can anticipate stops and navigate more smoothly through complex intersections, leading to a safer and more efficient driving experience. Voice guidance could then leverage this new information and say things like, turn left at the traffic light, instead of having to rely solely on distance. This feature would help Tesla maps remain comparable to other mapping solutions like Google Maps and Apple Maps that already display these details.
Another navigation feature that appears to be coming soon is the continuous display of alternate routes as you drive, instead of just showing two or three routes when you begin your drive. Green found evidence of this enhancement back in October, in the 2023.38 update.
3D Buildings for Immersive Navigation
Owners would also like 3D buildings included in Tesla's maps; this is not just about aesthetics but context and clarity. Navigating through unfamiliar urban landscapes can be daunting. Including 3D buildings offers drivers a more intuitive understanding of their surroundings, making locating destinations and navigating busy city streets easier.
It's a feature that brings the virtual world closer to reality, providing a more natural and familiar way of viewing the world through the lens of technology. We have had some significant map upgrades in Korea that include some things more owners want to see globally.
This is just the beginning of a list that Tesla owners have provided. In our next entry to our wish list, we will look at what owners would like to see with autonomy.
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.
— 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.
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
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.
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.
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