Tesla Gears Up for FSD v12.3.1 Rollout Amid Skepticism Over Musk's 'Two-Week' Update Cycle (2024)

Tesla is about to deploy its latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) update, version 12.3.1. Elon Musk made the announcement via X, and also posted that fresh updates will be coming out every two weeks. Yes, he actually said his famous ‘two weeks” prediction for a timeline.

Although version 12.3 is in a limited number of cars, the company is poised to “address several small annoyances," according to Musk. Version 12.3.1 should start rolling out this weekend.

Should be really shining bright by late April or early May. - Elon Musk

The Specter of 'Elon Time'

Musk's declaration of forthcoming significant enhancements every two weeks is enough to make any Tesla fan have a double take. 'Elon Time, ' a popular saying among Tesla fans and observers, has a pattern of optimistic scheduling for major updates. His go-to timeline is usually two weeks. There were no emojis or anything that may suggest Musk was trying to be funny. He has stated that he cracks himself up, but this timeline may not be a joke.

Tesla's intent to fast-track FSD's capabilities through quickfire updates showcases the company's aggressive stance on innovation. It also shows how much data the company expects to collect in two-week periods to be able to make adjustments.

Version 13

Musk has stated the current rollout of FSD is so advanced that is should be called version 13 instead of 12.3. That said, the numbers will quickly go up beside the 12 with this aggressive two-week update schedule. The introduction of neural network-based decision-making in FSD v12 was a groundbreaking move. The system's ability to process raw camera footage and vehicle dynamics directly into driving maneuvers showcased an impressive leap towards achieving a level of decision-making and responsiveness akin to human drivers.

This technological advancement was met with rave reviews from both industry experts and everyday users, underscoring the potential of Tesla's approach to redefine the future of driving. Michael Dell's endorsem*nt of FSD v12 as "super impressive" and akin to human-like driving further solidified the update's significance, elevating expectations for what Tesla's technology could achieve next.

As we look towards the deployment of v12.3.1 and beyond, the enthusiasm surrounding the FSD v12 serves as a vivid reminder of Tesla's innovation trajectory. This ongoing journey, punctuated by Musk's ambitious update timeline, continues to captivate and engage the global automotive community, setting the stage for further advancements in Tesla's quest to perfect autonomous driving.

Shell has unveiled its comprehensive energy transition strategy, marking a pivotal shift in its operations towards cleaner energy solutions. Shell is committed to leading the decarbonization of transport, leveraging its global presence and innovative capabilities to meet the evolving demands of customers and the environment.

The report states: “We believe growth in oil demand is set to slow in the second half of this decade and could start falling in the 2030s because of increasing vehicle efficiency and growth in electric vehicles.”

Expanding EV Charging Networks: A Future-Driven Approach

The automotive sector is at a crossroads, with around 1.3 billion cars globally consuming a quarter of the world's oil production daily. The electric vehicle market is responding, showing rapid growth from less than 3% of new car sales in 2018 to 18% in 2023, with the number of EVs on the road expected to rise from 40 million today (led in large part by Tesla) to 275 million by 2030. China leads this surge, offering affordable EV options, followed by Europe and the USA. The expansion of charging infrastructure emerges as a key factor in supporting this shift towards electric mobility.

Expanding its electric vehicle charging infrastructure is at the heart of Shell's strategy. Recognizing the rapid growth of EVs as a crucial element in reducing emissions, Shell plans to increase its public charging points. With approximately 54,000 public charge points at the end of 2023, Shell is on track to boost this number to around 70,000 by 2025 and aims for an ambitious target of 200,000 by 2030. This expansion aligns with the global surge in EV adoption and caters to the increasing demand for accessible and convenient charging options.

Strategic Divestments and Market Adaptation

Shell's strategy includes divesting approximately 500 Shell-owned sites (including joint ventures) annually in 2024 and 2025. This decision reflects a strategic pivot towards markets with higher demand for low-carbon solutions, such as China, Europe, and the USA. By aligning its portfolio with the changing needs of its customers and the broader energy landscape, Shell aims to maintain its leadership in the energy sector while navigating the transition to a low-carbon economy efficiently.

Shell's largest EV charging station in the world, located in Shenzhen, China, exemplifies the company's efforts in this area. Featuring 258 fast-charging points and partially powered by rooftop solar panels, this facility highlights Shell's commitment to integrating renewable energy sources into its operations, providing a model for future developments.

Shell's executives, including Chair Sir Andrew Mackenzie and CEO Wael Sawan, strongly believe in the company's strategic direction. Emphasizing the importance of innovation and global reach, Shell aims to leverage its capabilities to deliver low-carbon energy solutions that meet today's needs and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Tesla may have some competition in becoming the “gas” station of the future.

Tesla’s latest update includes a special feature for Cybertruck that may eventually be rolled out to the rest of the lineup. It appears Tesla is getting ready for the summer road trip season early by focusing on enhanced security for drivers who tow trailers and improving accessibility to its Supercharger network for such vehicles.

Cybertruck's New Trailer Alarm Feature

With update 2024.8.4 Tesla is introducing a trailer alarm system for the Cybertruck. This innovative feature extends the vehicle's alarm system to monitor the connection status of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. In practical terms, this means the vehicle's alarm will now also protect the trailer, ensuring an added layer of security for owners' valuable cargo.

Activating or deactivating alongside the vehicle's alarm system, this feature can be conveniently managed through the vehicle's settings under the "Towing and Hauling" section, where the "Trailer Alarm" option is located. Owners who prefer not to use this feature can disable it, tailoring the vehicle's security settings to their preferences. At this point, we only have confirmation of the feature in Cybertruck, but it would make sense to add it to the other models that haul trailers as well.

The release notes state:

“Your vehicle alarm now also monitors whether your trailer is plugged in to the hitch.

The trailer alarm sets and turns off along with your vehicle alarm. You can disable this security feature in your vehicle settings at Towing and Hauling > Trailer Alarm.”

Tesla Will Show Which Superchargers Include Trailer-Friendly Stalls

Tesla is also improving the Supercharging experience for drivers with trailers. Recognizing owners' difficulties when charging vehicles while towing, Tesla has been progressively introducing pull-through stalls at Supercharger stations. These stalls are designed to accommodate vehicles with trailers, eliminating the need to detach trailers before charging – a significant improvement over the traditional back-in stalls that dominate the network.

Wes Morrill, a Cybertruck engineer who has become more vocal on X, posted that the “Supercharger team is always looking for opportunities to install these at new locations. Will show trailer friendly stalls on the in-vehicle UI to make it easier when road tripping with a trailer.”

Once this feature is implemented, we expect Tesla to list the number of pull-through stalls next to the number of available stalls at each Supercharger location. Tesla already displays how many stalls are in use, how many cars are en route to the Supercharger, and if any stalls are out of order, as determined by their monitoring service.

Amid rising gas prices, Tesla's updates offer a cost-effective solution for summer road trips. The new trailer alarm and UI improvements for finding Supercharger stations address towing challenges, enhancing the Tesla experience. This initiative showcases Tesla's commitment to innovation and sustainable travel, enabling owners to bypass the impact of fuel costs and enjoy their adventures.

Update 2024.8 continues to roll out to vehicles that don’t have FSD Beta and is currently about 8% of the Tesla fleet.