Tesla releases AI chatbot Grok for vehicles in Europe

Tesla is releasing the AI chatbot Grok for vehicles in several European countries. With version 2026.2.6 of the vehicle software, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, among others, will gain access to the chatbot. Previously, European vehicles could only use voice recognition within the car, which could be used to control some functions. In the USA, Grok was launched in Tesla vehicles in July 2025.

In an X post, Tesla advertises that Grok can answer questions using real-time information. Additionally, with the beta version of the chatbot, it is possible to add navigation commands or edit an existing navigation. Voice commands for vehicle controls other than navigation are currently not supported. Functions such as seat heating, media control, or windshield wipers are therefore not yet controllable. However, the previous voice commands remain usable.

Only with Premium Subscription or WLAN

Users can make some settings for the assistant developed by xAI. These include the desired voice and personality. The selection ranges from "Storyteller" to "Unhinged." To use Grok in a Tesla, so-called Premium Connectivity is required, a monthly subscription of around 10 euros, which provides advanced mobile functions. Alternatively, a WLAN connection can also be used, for example, via smartphone tethering. The vehicle manufacturer emphasizes that conversations are anonymous for Tesla and are not linked to the vehicle.

After installing the update, Grok can be accessed as a standalone app via the launcher. Alternatively, the voice control button on the steering wheel can be pressed and held.

Countries and Requirements

The countries where Grok is being introduced include Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain. According to Tesla, more countries are to follow. A vehicle with an AMD Ryzen processor is required. This has been installed in new vehicles since mid-2021.

(mki)