Tesla is tripling your Model Y delivery times if you don't add the $12,000 FSD option

A recent update to Tesla’s website configurator shows that it is prioritizing reservations that include a $12,000 full self-driving (FSD) option for at least the Model Y and Model 3. Specifically for Tesla Model Y reservations, the delivery estimate changes from six months (September) to two months (May) from today, simply by selecting the FSD add-on.

The Tesla Model Y remains the US automaker’s most recent model to reach production, after first starting deliveries two years ago. Since then, it has become a key EV in helping the company gain a larger global market share, especially now that it has forayed into additional markets such as the UK.

With recent environmental clearance at the new Gigafactory Berlin, Tesla is sure to increase its EV output tenfold, already promising delivery of the German-made Model YS in less than two weeks. However, such a high rate of production to meet ever-increasing demand comes at a cost. A cost that continues to increase given the constraints on the supply of chains and battery materials such as nickel.

Last week, we saw some repercussions for consumers as a result of these global economic constraints, when Tesla raised the prices of the longer-range versions of its Model Y and Model 3 EVs.

Recently, those same EVs are seeing another interesting change to their reservation configurator — Tesla is prioritizing delivery times for the Model Y and Model 3 if their respective customers spring for the $12,000 FSD add-on.

Tesla Model Y Delivery
Comparison of current delivery times for the Model 3 and Model Y, depending on whether you buy the FSD / Source: Tesla.com

Tesla will push your Model Y delivery by 4 months with FSD

As you can see from the configurator comparison above, Tesla is currently encouraging consumers to throw an extra $12k on their Model Y or Model 3 purchases by expediting their deliveries.

Model 3 customers currently only see a one-month gain on delivery time when buying FSD vs. However, Model Y customers may be more tempted to add an FSD option if they have the money and don’t want to wait until September to drive their new EV. By spending $12,000 more, the Model Y delivery window extends to May, only two months from now.

Currently, delivery times for the Tesla Model X and Model S are not affected by the option of whether or not to add FSD capabilities. Despite some of these recent changes, Tesla vehicles are still in high demand, especially with the rising prices of gasoline and diesel fuel.

For consumers who were planning to give FSD a shot on their new Model Y anyway, this may come as welcome news. However, for others, it may not be worth the money to jump the delivery line for a few months. There is always a pre-owned market too!

Electrek’s Tech

Naturally, Tesla cannot be reached for any explanation, but it is a reasonable guess that this is a strategic move to maximize revenue from sales given the current global conditions and Tesla’s production of these EVs. Prices continue to rise.

There are of course other contributing factors to the delay in delivery. For example, Gemini Wheels will estimate delivery of your Model Y by December. That being said, they are tangible hardware items whose availability is directly tied to supply chain issues, versus a simple FSD unlock via software update.

Critics of Tesla’s FSD, including myself, might even point out that the $12,000 add-on is a bold bet based on a promise that CEO Elon Musk has been “next year-ing” for at least half a decade now. . Furthermore, the true potential of full-self driving seems to be as distant as it was before and before Musk’s last public punt. For this reason, it is not a good pricing package, even if it means earlier delivery.

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