Tesla says it will open source the Model S and Model X, but its earlier Roadster release lacked an open-source licence, fuelling debate over what qualifies as genuine open source.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company plans to “open source” the discontinued Model S and Model X, following the approach used for the original Tesla Roadster. However, Tesla’s previous Roadster release has drawn criticism because it did not meet the Open Source Definition.
Announced in November 2023, the Roadster release included five CAN database (.dbc) files, a 309 MB diagnostic software ISO, two PDF quick guides and five additional document packages available through Tesla’s service portal. It excluded source code, CAD files, mechanical drawings, firmware source code, bill of materials, power electronics schematics, and motor and battery pack designs. The associated GitHub repository has also remained inactive for more than two and a half years.
The materials were released without an open-source licence, offering only a liability disclaimer that grants no rights to copy, modify or redistribute the content. As a result, the release is widely viewed as documentation rather than open source.
Engineering firm Antmicro, which rebuilt the Roadster’s electronics in simulation, reported that Tesla provided manufacturing outputs such as Gerbers but omitted PCB source design files, requiring engineers to recreate component footprints.
A genuine Model S/X release under a recognised open-source licence, including CAD files, firmware source code and hardware designs, could become one of the automotive industry’s most significant open-source contributions. It could also help Tesla address longstanding Linux GPL compliance concerns raised by the Software Freedom Conservancy.
Elon Musk previously stated, “all design & engineering of the original Tesla Roadster is now fully open source,” adding, “Whatever we have, you now have.”
