Exclusive: Tesla Adds HW3 Support to FSD v12.5.1.4 [Confirmed]

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Last night Tesla rolled out update 2024.26.15 which included FSD v12.5.1.4. Although the release notes remain the same with this update, the big news is that Tesla has finally added support for hardware 3 vehicles to this FSD 12.5 version.

Once the release went out, we heard rumblings early on that update 2024.26.15 may add support for hardware 3, however, today we’ve been able to confirm that Tesla has HW3 vehicles running this latest FSD update.

Elon Musk initially said that FSD 12.5 was expected to be available for HW3 in about 10 days after it rolled out to AI4. Although that date has come and passed, it finally arrived for employees last night. Although It’s only been about three weeks, it felt like an eternity for HW3 owners who have been anxiously awaiting this update. Many owners weren’t sure whether their vehicles would be able to run the latest version of FSD once the original goal of 10 days was missed. This is one area where Tesla can stand to improve — consumer communication.

Rollout Plan

Although Tesla has internal HW3 vehicles running update FSD 12.5.1.4, their public rollout plan may not go to HW3 vehicles initially. Tesla may choose to roll out the update to vehicles with HW4 first to confirm there are no regressions before proceeding with the launch on HW3 vehicles.

Keep in mind that not every release that goes to employees ends up going out to the public. However, most releases usually start rolling out to early-access customers within a few days if there are no major issues.

HW3 vehicles are currently running FSD v12.3.6, while most HW4 (AI4) vehicles are running FSD v12.5.1.3. FSD v12.5 in general includes a huge array of optimizations and is supposed to be as big an improvement as the capability jump between v11 and v12.

We don’t expect any new features in FSD v12.5.1.4 besides HW3 support as that would complicate solving any potential regressions. However, we’re still awaiting several new features that come in a later version of FSD v12.5 such as nag-less FSD using sunglasses, FSD support on the Cybertruck, improved lane changes, end-to-end neural networks on the highway, and even Actually Smart Summon.

What’s Included & Who’s Eligible

This update is based on Tesla’s 2024.26 code branch, meaning that everyone who subscribes or owns FSD will be eligible to receive it. Tesla is already testing update 2024.32, but it hasn’t gone out to customers yet.

This FSD update will include everything in update 2024.26, Tesla’s “Summer Update.” This includes YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Parental Controls, a new climate screen and much more.

Hardware 3 Optimization

FSD V12.5 rolled out to AI4 vehicles much earlier than hardware 3 vehicles – as code optimization was required to have the FSD model run on the older hardware. It seems that the extra compute offered by AI4 vehicles has allowed Tesla to release V12.5 faster, which also helps them gather more data.

Now that HW3 support has been released, this could set the new tempo for new updates. Major FSD updates – V12.6 or V12.7 will likely also have AI4 support before hardware 3 support, as it seems easier to develop with more hardware power and then later optimize code once you have a working product. However, Tesla has committed to maintaining hardware 3 support, even if the code requires optimization to function on older hardware.

Divergence

AI4 only really started rolling out in the middle of last year, with most customer vehicles arriving with AI4 near May 2023. The optimization gap has been a surprise, especially since AI4 is still running hardware 3 in emulation mode. There will be a divergence between AI4 and Hardware 3, and Elon has mentioned that the new supercomputer cluster will be dedicated to preparing for AI4, and in the future, AI5.

Will HW3 FSD Be the Same As AI4?

This is going to be a big one for most people – after all, we’re estimating that nearly 85% of Tesla’s current fleet, if not more, is still on hardware 3. Did Tesla manage to fit the complete AI model, with all its parameters – a 6x increase over V12.3.6 – onto Hardware 3?

If there were compromises, we’ll need to watch and see. Hopefully, some enterprising Tesla X or YouTube owners will record a test drive on v12.5.1.4 on both, a HW3 and AI4 vehicle for us to compare the differences. We’re hoping that since the official divergence of hardware hasn’t happened yet, at this point, we won’t see any differences.

Upcoming Features

Once FSD v12.5 rolls out to hardware 3 vehicles, we can look forward to the upcoming list of features, including more natural and better-planned turns, the E2N highway stack, and vision-only monitoring with sunglasses. Of course, there are a few other hotly anticipated features we’re waiting for, but which aren’t on the Upcoming Improvements list provided in the patch notes – including Park Seek and Banish Autopark, as well as vehicle-to-fleet communications and FSD understanding hand gestures.

We’re hoping to see these features come in point releases of FSD V12.5, which means they should arrive at similar times for HW3 and AI4 vehicles.

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Tesla FSD in Europe: June Update

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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.

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

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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.

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