Tesla’s patent will include Starlink satellite dishes in its cars

Tesla has filed a very interesting patent in the US and Europe for a new type of car roof.

On December 4, Tesla filed US patent application 2025/0368267, which describes a novel “Vehicle Roof Assembly with Integrated RF Transparency for Electronic Module Consolidation.” As seen earlier X user Chansoo ByeonThe patent has sparked speculation that Tesla may plan to integrate Starlink satellites into its electric cars.

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An online copy of the patent filed with the European Patent Office includes several drawings of the proposed roof assembly as well as a detailed description and list of possible components. (While the US version of the patent is indexed by Google, it is not viewable in a web browser at the time of writing.) The patent description reads:

An example of an automobile roof assembly is disclosed, with an exterior roof panel made of radio-transparent (RF) polymer materials, such as Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA). In some examples, this assembly allows the integration of surface electrical modules and components, including antennas, directly into the roof structure, to facilitate clear communication with external devices and satellites. The design includes a membrane effect for improved protection of the seat during impact, and the use of integrated foams between the outer roof and the inner head improves thermal and acoustic insulation.

(Emphasis added.)

A cross-sectional view of the proposed car roof assembly in the car.
Credit: European Patent Office / Tesla

The patent application describes this as “a perspective view of an example antenna module and mounting.”
Credit: European Patent Office / Tesla

Why is this significant?

Tesla vehicles are already connected to cellular networks, but by integrating Starlink antennas directly into its vehicles, Tesla can provide its drivers with Internet connectivity almost anywhere. Electrek reports that the metal and glass roofs used in modern cars can block satellite radio signals. Not only does the new roof allow RF signals to pass through the roof membrane, but the proposed roof can also include a satellite dish.

Electrek reports that some Tesla owners are already returning their cars to install Starlink Mini dishes, and there may be a market for satellite-connected electric cars. And with both 5G mobile phones again Satellite Internet, Tesla cars will have greater connectivity than other cars on the road.

Of course, the patent application doesn’t specifically mention Starlink, and Tesla hasn’t outlined any plans to integrate its EVs with Starlink. And companies file patents all the time for products or innovations that have never reached the industry standard.

But it’s an interesting look at the future of connected cars.