Tesla has recently been making a spade of upgrades for legacy MCU1 vehicles, including FSD V12 for MCU1, but it also included a set of additional features in update 2024.26.3.1. So let’s take a closer look at what Tesla has been cooking in the background for older vehicles!
Automatic Emergency Braking
Tesla has improved the Automatic Emergency Braking feature that was already available in MCU1 vehicles with upgrades from the 2023.12 software update, which includes automatic emergency braking while in reverse. What’s interesting is that although these features are available to other vehicles, they never made it into the release notes. Instead, we originally found them by searching through the 2023.12 owner’s manual. However, now that vehicles with MCU 1 are receiving the feature, Tesla decided to mention them in the release notes.
In the release notes Tesla states: “Automatic Emergency Braking now also works when your vehicle is in Reverse (R), not only in Drive (D). It applies the brakes if the vehicle detects an object in its path and a collision appears imminent.
Automatic Emergency Braking is on by default each time you drive.”
This specific upgrade likely also includes Automatic Emergency Braking for speeds over 100 mph in addition to working in reverse. AEB reduces the impact of collisions, reducing the likelihood of death or injury in a major collision. It’s fantastic to continue seeing Tesla focus on innovating in the safety department!
Reacting Perpendicular Vehicles
Another upgrade added to Automatic Emergency Braking recently was the addition of AEB reacting to perpendicular dangers (across) the vehicle path – for example, someone running a red light, or someone cutting you off. This is a huge improvement over the standard emergency braking that occurs for the vehicle in front. Tesla didn’t specifically call out this addition in the release notes for MCU 1 vehicles, but since those vehicles now seem capable of running the same AI model that powers FSD v12, we suspect this feature is also included.
In addition to FSD v12 and the Automatic Emergency Braking improvements, Tesla also made improvements to its Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system. When an FCW event occurs, the vehicle will now produced haptic feedback in addition to the audible and visual warnings.
These upgrades to Automatic Emergency Braking require HW3, which is a free upgrade for these vehicles from HW2 if the owner bought FSD.
At the end of the day, Tesla is clearly showing its commitment to continue to improve its vehicles – even older ones. Some of these MCU 1 vehicles with Autopilot HW 3 (originally HW 2) go back as far as 2016. This is a big deal for those who have been worried about the upcoming AI4/Hardware 3 divergence in FSD. Tesla’s continued work on older hardware is promising for users of Hardware 3 vehicles and MCU1 vehicles alike.
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According to a new Tesla job listing posted to Tesla’s European job board, Tesla intends to bring the Tesla Semi truck to Europe. The new Tesla Semi factory has begun construction recently and is expected to be online in late 2025 – bringing higher-volume production of the Tesla Semi sometime in 2026.
Semi in Europe
The Semi is a fantastic truck and one that is well fit for European roads. According to the European Commission, the average Semi tractor-trailer in the EU traveled approximately 141.3km (~88mi). The Tesla Semi has a range of roughly 800km (500 mi), which means it could do several of those trips back and forth without stopping and charging.
It would be feasible, after the installation of MCS (Megawatt Charging System) Infrastructure at commercial hubs to mostly replace the entire European Semi fleet with the Tesla Semi. With the MCS, the Tesla Semi can recharge up to 80% of its range in under 30 minutes – that’s 640km (400 mi).
When you combine the distinct advantages of the Semi: fast charging, effective range, quick to accelerate, reduced driving costs, reduced maintenance, and reduced overall cost of ownership, it becomes an easy value proposition. Additionally, Tesla eventually intends to introduce FSD to the Tesla Semi – which would make highway driving for truck drivers a much simpler and safer task.
Job Listing
The job listing is for the Head of Business Development for the Tesla Semi in Europe – located in either Amsterdam or Berlin. Tesla is looking for this position to build customer relationships and plan for Tesla’s future Semi deployments, as well as pitch the Semi to major road shipping companies.
In the future, the position will be expected to work alongside governments to coordinate funding, as well as working with customers to coordinate the onboarding of the Semi, as well as installations of the MCS at locations. Essentially, this is a C-suite leadership position meant to sell the Tesla Semi and its associated systems in Europe – leading the push for electrification of trucking.
If you’re interested in applying, Tesla is looking for someone with experience in fleet management and commercial vehicles, as well as someone proficient in German.
We’re excited to see the Tesla Semi hit the roads in both North America and Europe – it is a promising vehicle in both cases.
Samsung SDI, who already produces some of Tesla’s 4680 battery cells, has recently begun testing new solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries are expected to be smaller, lighter, cooler, and safer than current cell formats that are used in electric vehicles. There’s a lot of potential and possibilities in solid-state batteries.
Regular Batteries
The biggest thing to understand about solid state battery is how they’re different from regular batteries is terms of materials and design. We’ll dig into regular batteries first, and then get to solid state batteries.
Today, Tesla’s EVs – and EVs in general, use one of two types of batteries – LFP or NMC. LFP batteries are composed of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFP on the periodic table), while NMC is composed of Nickle Manganese Cobalt (NiMnCo). Tesla uses LFP batteries in its standard range vehicles, while their longer-range or performance siblings use NMC battery composition.
The biggest difference here is price and performance – LFP has a more stable chemistry and less degradation but also has a lower energy density. Meanwhile NMC performs better, outputs more energy, has a higher energy density, but isn’t as chemically stable and will degrade faster.
These chemical differences also aid with temperatures – NMC batteries perform better in more extreme weather conditions such as extreme cold or extreme heat – much better than their LFP siblings.
Both of these types of batteries also contain a liquid electrolyte – a wet medium that is electrically conductive and enables the movement of the ions in the battery pack, but won’t conduct electricity. So, with all that aside, let’s take a look at what solid state batteries bring to the table.
Solid State Batteries
Solid State Batteries don’t contain that liquid electrolyte. That’s already a huge change – because a large portion of the weight and density increases in regular battery packs actually originate from that heavy liquid. The replacement of that liquid is a stable, solid electrolyte, generally in the form of glass or ceramics.
Essentially, that frees up space and makes it easier to cool the batteries – so much so that solid state batteries today are used in smartwatches and other wearable devices – even pacemakers. In fact, that space saving is so large, that a solid-state equivalent of an LFP or NMC battery would use up 1/10th of the space, with a similar reduction in weight.
Additionally, solid state batteries don’t need all the additional equipment for monitoring, controlling, and cooling the liquid electrolyte – the pack is a solid block that can be cooled similar to a PC part – like a CPU.
The removal of the liquid electrolyte can also improve vehicle safety. We’re sure you’ve been told never to puncture a battery pack – that’s because when the electrolyte is removed, LFP and NMC batteries can experience thermal runaway – they have no way to cool themselves, and this heat reaction spreads throughout the battery, leading to a fire. In addition, the electrolyte tends to be flammable and toxic – making battery fires a truly dangerous, but still rare, phenomenon.
The electrolyte liquid – even though it does the important job of moving the ions around – actually can and will do permanent damage to the components of the battery, causing corrosion or build up over exceptionally long times. That’s exactly how you get battery degradation!
A solid electrolyte solves all these problems. Mostly. Even the solid electrolyte can degrade over time but will last an exceptionally long time. That’s why many companies advertise 20-year lifespans, and with considerable energy density.
Samsung’s recent solid-state breakthrough has them mentioning a 20-year lifespan with 500Wh/kg. Tesla’s newest 4680 cell is 244 to 296Wh/kg right now. Samsung has also mentioned a massive charging speed improvement – 9 minutes. That’s probably a 20% to 80% number, rather than a 0% to 100% number – as charge speeds at the far end of the curve tend to slow down considerably to protect the battery, while exceptionally low states of charge are uncommon.
Where is the Solid State?
We did say we already use solid state batteries elsewhere, like in wearable devices. But why not cars? They’re expensive. In fact, very, very expensive to manufacture at the size and scale needed to power EVs. Tesla and its battery suppliers, including Samsung, CATL, and LG, have been prototyping and working on their own solid state battery projects over the years.
Once they figure out how to scale these up, we could see drastic improvements in vehicle range and longevity, alongside improved charging times. But I wouldn’t expect them to show up right around the corner – it may take several years for engineers and scientists to work everything out, and another few to figure out to mass produce it.
In conclusion, Tesla’s continuous efforts to improve safety features in older vehicles, the expansion of the Tesla Semi to Europe, and the development of solid-state batteries by Samsung SDI are all significant advancements in the electric vehicle industry. These innovations not only enhance the driving experience for consumers but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient future for transportation. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting developments in the world of electric vehicles.