Tesla has officially confirmed that adaptive headlight functionality will be coming to all of its vehicles equipped with matrix LED headlights in North America.
The news was confirmed by Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, who stated that the rollout would begin with the new Model Y before expanding to other models.
A Long-Awaited Upgrade
Tesla began equipping its vehicles with matrix LED headlights in 2022, but the technology has remained unutilized in North America due to regulatory challenges. While Tesla owners in Europe have already received software updates enabling adaptive high-beam functionality, North American customers have been left waiting as the company navigated approvals from local authorities.
The delay was primarily due to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which only granted regulatory approval for adaptive headlights in 2022. U.S. safety standards (FMVSS 108) impose strict regulations on how headlights function, which slowed Tesla’s ability to enable the feature across its fleet. Despite Transport Canada approving adaptive headlights as far back as 2018, Tesla likely held off on enabling them in Canada to maintain consistency with the U.S. market.
In October 2024, Moravy had stated that Tesla was “almost there” in securing approval for the technology. Now, with confirmation that the feature will roll out starting with the new Model Y, it appears that Tesla has cleared the final hurdles.
Lars Moravy Confirms the Rollout
Responding to Tesla enthusiast Dan Burkland on X, Moravy confirmed that the rollout will start with the new Model Y and expand to other Tesla models equipped with matrix headlights.
“We got it this time @dburkland – We’ll start with New Model Y and work our way to the others – we got through the difficult work.”
Additionally, in a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Moravy reiterated that the feature will debut with the new Model Y and will become available to other eligible vehicles over time. He stated that the technology would launch “in a couple of months, right after we start delivering, automatic adaptive driving beams, first in the U.S.”
How Adaptive Headlights Work
Tesla’s adaptive headlight technology builds upon its existing matrix LED headlights, which use an array of individually controlled LEDs to provide more precise lighting.
With adaptive functionality enabled, Tesla vehicles will be able to automatically adjust headlight brightness and beam patterns based on driving conditions. This means:
• Better nighttime visibility: The system can focus light on the road while avoiding unnecessary glare.
• Selective dimming: It can darken specific sections of the beam to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers while keeping the rest of the road well-lit.
• Improved safety on curves: The headlights can adjust dynamically as the vehicle moves through turns, providing better illumination around corners.
These enhancements will not only improve visibility for Tesla drivers but also reduce glare for other road users, making night driving safer for everyone.
