News
Tesla FSD Beta v10.5 first impressions reveal big leap forward compared to V10.4
Tesla FSD Beta 10.5 is now rolling out to a broader number of electric vehicle owners, and the first videos of the advanced driver-assist system in action are now being shared online. Based on the first impressions of longtime FSD Beta users, it appears that V10.5 is a substantial leap forward, especially compared to V10.4, which was considered by many to be a step back for Tesla.
Tesla Model 3 owner and veteran FSD Beta tester AI Addict on YouTube, for example, observed several interesting new behaviors from V10.5 during a quick drive, some of which made the all-electric vehicle behave more human-like than before. These include the system’s performance on unmarked residential roads, which some viewers have described as near-perfect.
The system is still not seamless, of course, with the FSD Beta tester sending several reports to Tesla during the short drive, but the vehicle performed quite smoothly overall. The leap from FSD Beta 10.4 to V10.5 could be seen quite notably in the Model 3 owner’s previous videos. As could be seen in a video of FSD Beta 10.4 shared by the Model 3 owner, that particular iteration of the driver-assist system was not the best that Tesla has released, with the system hesitating during unprotected left turns, among others.
The improvements in FSD Beta 10.5 were leaked in the update’s Release Notes over the weekend, and it quickly got a lot of Tesla enthusiasts quite excited. While reports from Tesla update tracker Teslascope hinted that the first batch of FSD Beta 10.5 recipients were company employees, the improvements mentioned in the leaked Release Notes were substantial. These include improved VRU and cone and sign detection, as well as the ability to change lanes away from a merging vehicle instead of slowing down. Tesla mentioned that FSD Beta 10.5 should see fewer “false slowdowns” as well.
Considering the reception from veteran FSD Beta testers, it appears that V10.5 is a solid release and a definitive step in the right direction for Tesla. This bodes well for the company’s autonomous driving program, which is being built up with every update of the FSD Beta software. And while there are releases that are less than stellar such as V10.4, the quick improvements that are rolled out in subsequent updates like FSD Beta 10.5 suggest that Tesla is working extremely hard to develop and evolve its advanced driver-assist technology into something truly remarkable.
Watch a first drive of Tesla FSD Beta 10.5 in the video below.
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.