Tesla confirms that HW4.5 does not exist, stating that "AP45" is a labeling error.

IT Home, February 3rd — Earlier reports indicated that a new Hardware 4.5 (AP4.5) in-vehicle computer appeared in Tesla’s parts catalog and the latest delivered Model Y vehicles. The company has since clarified to dispel public confusion regarding the hardware configuration of its latest models.

According to an internal notice from Tesla’s North American sales advisors obtained by automotive media Drive Tesla, Tesla states that none of the vehicles currently delivered to customers are equipped with HW4.5 (AI4.5) hardware. The recent “AP45” markings are merely temporary labeling errors and do not indicate that a new hardware platform has officially entered mass production.

IT Home has learned that this clarification has been distributed to internal sales teams in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. Previously, many employees were overwhelmed by inquiries from consumers asking about differences in FSD (Full Self-Driving) hardware configurations. Tesla acknowledged receiving direct customer feedback, with many confused by the labeling of FSD hardware in vehicle documentation and internal systems. There have even been reports on social media that some consumers, uncertain whether HW4.5 is fully integrated into the supply chain, have chosen to delay placing orders or even canceled existing orders.

Tesla attributes this confusion to a temporary labeling error involving the “AP45” option code in some internal systems and documents. The company states that the issue stems from minor formatting differences between production departments and is purely a labeling problem, not an indication that a new or upgraded hardware platform has quietly entered production.

The internal notice explicitly states that all currently delivered vehicles are equipped with AP4, which Tesla defines as “our latest and most advanced hardware platform for FSD (Full Self-Driving).” In other words, consumers who take delivery now are still receiving the HW4 hardware platform that Tesla has been mass-producing since 2023.

To prevent further misunderstandings, Tesla says it is fully updating all labels, option code descriptions, and internal systems to standardize terminology and eliminate confusion at the source. The company has also instructed sales advisors to use updated, unified language to ensure consistent and accurate responses when consumers inquire about FSD hardware.