Tesla Announces Ability to Transfer FSD; Must Take Delivery in Q3 [Full List of Requirements]

July 20, 2023

By Kevin Armstrong

Tesla will allow owners a one-time transfer of FSD to another Tesla, but only third Q3

MKBHD/Twitter

In a landmark second-quarter earnings call, Tesla reported revenue of $24.9 billion and a net income of $2.7 billion, considerably surpassing Wall Street estimates. But catching many by surprise was the company allowing a one-time opportunity for customers to transfer their Full Self-Driving (FSD) package during the next three months.

This topic has dogged Tesla and Elon Musk for years, and rightfully so. The price of FSD has skyrocketed. Therefore any early adopters of the technology that got it for the bargain basement price of $5,000 would have to pay triple that fee if they wanted to update their Tesla. In May, the company posted on Twitter asking for improvement ideas. The ability to transfer FSD was high on the list.

Once again during the earnings call, a question about FSD transferability arose. Musk revealed that, in response to customer demand, Tesla would permit the one-time transfer of FSD for the duration of Q3. This opportunity would allow existing Tesla owners to upgrade to a new Tesla model without repurchasing the costly FSD package, which sells for $15,000 in the US.

Tesla Hints at Potential FSD Licensing Partnership

In the same earnings call, Musk indicated another groundbreaking initiative on the horizon. He revealed early talks of licensing Tesla's FSD technology to another major automaker, without disclosing specifics.

This prospective collaboration underscores Tesla's unique standing in the autonomous vehicle market. Musk emphasized the crucial role of Tesla's extensive road data, gathered through its Autopilot and Dojo projects, in its success. This invaluable pool of data, unmatched by any competitor, underpins Tesla's rapid progress in AI development and its leading position in the industry.

Listen to Tesla's Earnings Call

You can listen to a replay of Tesla's earnings call below.

FSD Transfers and Future Expectations

The decision to allow FSD transfers during Q3 is anticipated to drive a spike in Tesla sales. Owners have traditionally been reluctant to upgrade their Tesla vehicles, as the high cost of the FSD package — coupled with its non-transferability — made such upgrades financially unattractive. This unprecedented concession, combined with Tesla’s existing FSD monthly subscription service in the U.S., is expected to enhance Tesla's market appeal and profitability in Q3 significantly.

Tesla used the Q2 earnings call platform to share another impressive milestone: vehicles equipped with FSD beta have driven more than 300 million miles. The significance of this achievement extends beyond its impressive scale. It represents a wealth of data collected for training Tesla's autonomous systems, further improving the safety and performance of FSD.

Requirements for FSD Transfer

Tesla has now posted the requirements for the transfer of FSD to another vehicle, according to Twitter user, @Kdahlenburg

The requirements are below:

We are pleased to inform you that as a loyal Tesla owner with Full Self Driving capability, you may be eligible to participate in our current transfer program. We appreciate your continued support and dedication to sustainable transportation.

Program: Receive Full Self Driving capability on any new Tesla vehicle delivered between July 20, 2023 and September 30, 2023 when you forfeit the Full Self Driving capability on your current Tesla vehicle. Subject to the below terms and conditions. Tesla does not guarantee delivery within the program's end date.

Terms and Conditions:

In order to be eligible for this program, you must:

1. Be the legal and registered owner of Tesla vehicle that currently has Full Self Driving capability included at the time of delivery of the new Tesla vehicle. The vehicle cannot be the subject of a pending cancellation or buyback request. For EMEA only: Those on an Operational Lease with third-party Lease and Fleet Management companies are ineligible, unless they first purchase the vehicle from the leasing company.

2. Take delivery of your new titled Tesla vehicle between July 20, 2023 and September 30, 2023.

3. Accept the forfeiture of the Full Self Driving capability on your current Tesla vehicle.

Alternatively, you can choose to trade-in your current Tesla vehicle altogether directly with Tesla when you purchase your new Tesla vehicle. Tesla will remove Full Self Driving capability from your current Tesla vehicle up to one week before your scheduled delivery day for your new Tesla. During this process, your current vehicle will automatically reboot for a few minutes after put in park.

4. The Full Self Driving capability can only be transferred once and so cannot be transferred to another vehicle or to another person even if the vehicle is privately sold. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion, and is not redeemable for cash.

5. Tesla reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate this offer at any time without prior notice.

6. The forfeiture of Full Self Driving capability on your current vehicle is non-reversible after you take delivery of the new Tesla vehicle, or we remove Full Self Driving capability from your current vehicle, whichever occurs first. This remains non-reversible even in the event that you cancel or reverse your purchase after you have taken delivery.

7. Used vehicles and vehicles for commercial purposes are not eligible for this program.

8. Tesla may remove the Full Self Driving capability from your new vehicle if it determines in good faith that you have breached any of these terms or made any misrepresentations about Full Self Driving on your current vehicle.

9. This offer cannot be applied retroactively after the new Tesla vehicle is delivered.

Please read the terms and conditions above carefully. By signing this binding acceptance letter, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to the terms and conditions outlined above.

To accept this offer, please complete the information below, sign, and return this letter to your Tesla Sales Advisor before delivery of your new Tesla vehicle. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the Tesla vehicle with forfeited Full Self Driving capability: ...

Top Gear Names Rivian's RJ Scaringe 'Influencer of the Year'

April 1, 2026

By Nehal Malik

Rivian Wave

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe is picking up a major accolade just as his company prepares for its most important launch to date. Top Gear magazine has officially named Scaringe the "EV Influencer of the Year" as part of its 2026 EV Awards, highlighting his role in shifting the electric vehicle landscape.

According to a recent Rivian blog post, the award recognizes Scaringe’s visionary leadership during the buildup to the R2 midsize SUV. The recognition follows a pre-production media drive event held in February, where journalists got their first real taste of the dual-motor AWD “Performance” variant that will soon hit the streets.

In response to the win, Scaringe shared his excitement for the team’s progress:

It’s incredible to be recognized by Top Gear at such a pivotal moment in the R2 launch journey. This award is a testament to the entire Rivian team for their passion and their relentless focus on bringing this vehicle to life. I couldn't be more excited to introduce the Rivian brand to a broader audience and to see R2 in customer hands soon.

Building the Hype for R2

The timing of this award couldn't be better. Rivian is currently betting its entire future on the R2, which is designed to be the high-volume, mass-market hit that finally carries the company to profitability.

To keep the momentum going, Rivian is taking the SUV on a cross-country viewing tour, giving reservation holders and fans a chance to see the vehicle in the "wild" before deliveries begin. It’s a smart move that builds a personal connection with buyers, something Scaringe has been very intentional about since starting the brand.

The R2 Launch Roadmap

If you’re looking to get behind the wheel, Rivian has a very specific rollout timeline planned. The first units off the line later this spring will be the $57,990 R2 Performance, with initial orders also including a special Launch Package.

Following the flagship's release, Rivian will fill out the rest of the R2 lineup over the next couple of years:

R2 Premium: Arriving in late 2026.
R2 Standard Long Range: Slated for early 2027.
R2 Standard: The most anticipated $45,000 base model, expected in late 2027.

While we don't know every detail about the base trim yet, the Performance model has already set a high bar with a 3.6-second 0–60 mph time and the clever "Drop Glass" rear window. With the R2 set to become a common sight on North American roads, Scaringe’s "influencer" status is likely only going to grow. It’s an exciting chapter for the brand, and we’re looking forward to seeing if the production units live up to the high praise Top Gear has already given the prototypes.

Rivian's ALSO Hits $1B Valuation With New DoorDash Deal

March 31, 2026

By Nehal Malik

Rivian Wave

Rivian’s expansion into the broader world of transportation is accelerating through its micromobility spinoff, ALSO. On Tuesday, the startup announced a major multi-year commercial agreement with DoorDash to develop and deploy autonomous delivery vehicles at scale.

According to the announcement, the partnership coincides with a $200 million Series C funding round for ALSO, valuing the company at $1 billion and led by Greenoaks Capital with participation from DoorDash. This fresh capital brings ALSO’s total funding to approximately $505 million since it was spun out of Rivian in March 2025. As part of the deal, DoorDash Co-Founder Stanley Tang will join ALSO’s board as an observer.

Solving the Last-Mile Challenge

The partnership focuses on a specific pain point in logistics: the "last mile" of delivery. While ALSO’s previous deal with Amazon centered on human-operated e-cargo quads, this agreement is explicitly about autonomy. The goal is to create small, self-driving electric vehicles that can navigate the tricky intersection of roadways and bike lanes.

“Last-mile delivery is a physical-world challenge and the details matter, from curb access to making sure an order arrives on time and intact,” Tang said. He noted that ALSO is building "purpose-built EVs that are designed to unlock new ways to meet customers and merchants where they are."

ALSO’s current product lineup includes the TM-B, a Class 3 electric bike, and the TM-Q, a four-wheel pedal-assist quad. The commercial version of the TM-Q can carry over 400 pounds while still being able to fit in a bike lane, and it will likely serve as the foundation for these autonomous delivery robots. These vehicles leverage Rivian’s battery technology and software, allowing them to operate efficiently in dense urban environments where full-sized vans struggle.

Rivian’s Broader Ecosystem

The success of ALSO is a testament to Rivian’s strategy of spinning out its skunkworks projects into standalone companies. Apart from ALSO, Rivian also spun off Mind Robotics, which focuses on AI-powered industrial robots and recently secured $500 million in its own funding round.

Meanwhile, Rivian itself is focusing on its biggest launch yet: the R2 midsize SUV. The R2 platform is becoming a central pillar of Rivian’s business, as the company recently signed a $1.25 billion deal with Uber to build dedicated R2 robotaxis. By leveraging the same autonomy hardware and custom silicon across its consumer cars, delivery quads, and industrial robots, the Rivian ecosystem is becoming a massive player in the AI space.

As ALSO prepares to begin deliveries of its premium e-bikes this spring, the DoorDash deal ensures that its future in autonomous logistics is well-funded. We are quickly moving toward a world where your next food order might be dropped off by a vehicle born in a Rivian lab.