Tag: Tesla

February 4, 2025
In 2025, 66% of New EVs in China Will Feature Self-Driving Tech
China is poised for a significant advancement in self-driving technology. This year, 15 million new electric vehicles (EVs) will be fitted with Level 2 (L2) autonomous driving capabilities. Even affordable models with prices below 100,000 yuan (US$13,914) will now feature basic self-driving functions. This swift expansion is fueled by a decrease in the cost of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), making these advanced features more attainable for regular consumers.
Future Projections
By 2025, it is expected that two-thirds of new cars in China will possess L2 or more sophisticated autonomous features. L2 systems can manage steering, acceleration, and braking, but they still require the driver to remain attentive. More advanced L3+ features, which enable hands-free driving under specific conditions, are also on the rise, while complete automation (L4 and L5) is still in the works.
Effects on the Automotive Sector
The electric vehicle sector in China is continuing to grow, with 22.9 million cars delivered in 2024, representing a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The widespread acceptance of self-driving technology is likely to transform the global automotive landscape, with autonomous trucks predicted to save Chinese firms around 1.8 trillion yuan each year by 2030. The price of ADAS has dropped to about 10,000 yuan per unit, and Lidar sensors, critical for environmental mapping, have decreased from thousands of dollars to merely US$200 per unit over five years. As technology becomes less expensive, more car manufacturers are including self-driving features in their models.
Competitors in the Market
Although Tesla continues to lead in self-driving technology on a global scale, it faces significant hurdles in China. The company reached record sales in China by the end of 2024, but is dealing with intense competition from domestic EV manufacturers such as BYD. A worldwide price war in the EV market has also squeezed Tesla’s profit margins, with Q4 revenue not meeting forecasts. Tesla’s main obstacle in China is regulatory limitations. The Chinese government does not permit Tesla to send self-driving training videos overseas, and U.S. regulations restrict AI training activities in China. These challenges have hindered Tesla’s progress with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in the nation.
Ongoing Developments
Despite these obstacles, Tesla is pushing forward with its self-driving initiatives in other regions. The company aims to introduce unsupervised autonomous driving in Austin, Texas, and various other U.S. cities by late 2025. Nevertheless, its prospects in China remain uncertain due to economic and political pressures. With self-driving technology becoming a norm in millions of vehicles across China, the nation is solidifying its role as a frontrunner in the future of autonomous transportation.
Tags: China EVs, self-driving technology, Tesla
February 3, 2025
Tesla Reduces Insurance Costs for FSD Drivers
As Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology shows fewer major interventions, the company is laying the foundation to persuade regulators that its autonomous driving system is safer than human drivers.
Safety Comparisons
Elon Musk has mentioned that FSD has an 8x safety benefit, although this figure is based on older NHTSA data. In contrast, Tesla’s own statistics indicate that FSD and Autopilot result in 6x fewer accidents when compared to traditional manual driving.
Insurance Discounts
Tesla is taking a careful approach, only offering its insurance in a few states. Musk is so confident in the safety of FSD compared to human driving that Tesla is now providing discounts on insurance premiums, which increase based on the number of miles driven using FSD.
Starting in Texas and Arizona, new policyholders can expect reduced insurance costs this month, or starting March 8 for those renewing their policies. The process involves Tesla tracking the total miles driven each month and calculating the percentage of those miles driven while FSD was active.
Incentives for FSD Use
The greater the percentage of miles driven using FSD, the larger the discount, which could encourage drivers to utilize FSD more often instead of manual driving. To qualify for the discount, a driver must log at least five miles or 1% of their total miles using FSD within a 30-day timeframe.
If a Tesla operates on FSD for half of the time, the company will reduce the insurance premium by 10% on the next payment. However, this offer is exclusive to those who have either purchased FSD or are monthly subscribers, and it does not apply to new owners currently in their free 30-day FSD trial. Additionally, certain aspects of the policy, like comprehensive insurance or coverage for uninsured drivers, are excluded from the FSD discount, meaning the total savings might be lower.
Although Tesla’s insurance offerings are limited to a few states and may not be the best option overall, the clear goal is to have FSD influence a driver’s safety rating for insurance purposes, and to showcase such a discount program to regulators.
Future Plans
Tesla is gearing up to introduce unsupervised FSD in Austin this June, and it will need all the positive regulatory support it can get to broaden its robotaxi service in more significant cities by the year’s end.
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Tags: Full Self-Driving, insurance discount, Tesla
February 2, 2025
Tesla Prices Rise CA$9,000 in Canada Amid Cybertruck and Model 3 Changes
Tesla has raised the prices of its vehicles by as much as $9,000 CAD (about $6,189 USD) following the recent announcement of a 25% tariff by the Trump administration over the weekend.
In response, Canada imposed its own import tariffs, prompting Tesla to implement the price hikes it had initially warned about on January 22.
Price Changes on Model 3 and Model Y
For example, the price for the new Model 3 Performance has increased to $79,990 in Canada, marking a 9% rise from its previous price, which suggest that Tesla might be absorbing some of the extra costs due to the tariff hike.
The Model Y saw a smaller increase of $4,000 for the older model. It remains unclear if the price for the upcoming 2026 Model Y Juniper Launch Series will also rise from the current $84,990 as its release date approaches in Canada.
Promotions and Discounts
In other news, Tesla is kicking off its quarterly promotions for the Model 3 and Cybertruck earlier than usual, aiming to boost sales before the 2026 Model Y becomes available.
For instance, the referral credit for buying a new Model 3 has been increased five times, from $500 to $2,500. Additionally, monthly lease prices for both the Model 3 and Cybertruck have been reduced by as much as 17%.
The dual-motor Cybertruck can now be leased for $749/month, down from $899/month. The base Model 3 Long Range RWD is now available for $249/month, a decrease from the previous $299/month lease price.
Tax Credits and Special Offers
These leases still qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit. To help clear out the Cybertrucks sitting in inventory, Tesla is also offering complimentary XPEL wraps for orders made in the U.S. or Canada before the end of March.
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Tags: Cybertruck, Model 3, Tesla
January 31, 2025
Tesla Autopilot and FSD: 6x Safer Than Distracted Human Drivers
During the last quarterly call with Tesla, Elon Musk announced that the company will launch a fleet of its vehicles featuring the unsupervised FSD function in Austin, Texas, this coming June.
New Models Coming Soon
Most of these vehicles are expected to be the 2026 Model Y Juniper and Model 3, equipped with AI4 (Hardware 4.0) systems and an FSD 13 update. This upgrade will enable these cars to navigate city streets autonomously, without the need for a driver onboard. This fleet will serve as the initial test for the paid Robotaxi ride-sharing service, allowing Tesla owners and the two-seat Cybercabs to join the platform in the following year.
Regulatory Hurdles Ahead
To gain approval for this unsupervised FSD, which operates without a driver, Tesla must prove that its self-driving technology is safer than human drivers, even in states like Texas where regulations are more relaxed. This might explain why, just before the earnings call, Tesla’s AI team released the latest safety figures for Autopilot and FSD, which Elon Musk presented to investors.
In the fourth quarter, there was one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven with Autopilot engaged, compared to one crash for every 1.08 million miles when it wasn’t used. In contrast, the most recent data from NHTSA and FHWA shows that in the US, there is an automobile crash roughly every 702,000 miles.
A Complex Situation
These statistics don’t differentiate between city and highway driving, and Musk mentioned that the vehicles are eight times safer than human drivers when comparing to NHTSA numbers, rather than the six times safer when using Tesla’s own data. Additionally, he pointed out that current human drivers using FSD must deactivate it to check messages or emails, which creates a frustrating situation for many. “We’re in this odd situation where people turn off autopilot just to check a text, while steering with their knee,” said Musk.
When asked about the rollout of unsupervised FSD following the Austin pilot in June, Elon mentioned that the US is expected to have it this year, with China and Europe likely following by the end of 2026. He noted that the main challenges in Europe are regulatory, as various bodies meet at set intervals to discuss such features, while in China, geopolitical factors and complicated local driving rules present significant hurdles.
Tackling Training Challenges
In China, Tesla faces difficulties due to restrictions on transferring training videos out of the country, while the US government isn’t allowing training to occur in China. To address this, the company is analyzing publicly available videos of Chinese streets to enhance their training materials. They are also developing a simulator to replicate complex scenarios, such as bus lanes, which have strict operating hours. “If you accidentally enter a bus lane at the wrong time, you get an automatic ticket, so it’s a serious issue,” Musk explained.
While Tesla competes with companies that are introducing their own driver-assist technologies in China, including autonomous battery swapping and existing robotaxis, the unsupervised FSD seems to be poised for success in Europe and the US. However, whether this will lead to the remarkable profits Musk has been forecasting for Tesla and its vehicle owners is still uncertain.
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Tags: FSD, Model Y, Tesla
January 31, 2025
Tesla Cars Feature Rear Charging Port Inspired by Elon Musk’s Garage
Elon Musk had concerns about potentially tripping over the Model S charging cable in his rented garage if the NACS port was positioned at the front left of the vehicle, as was initially planned. As a result, he directed Tesla’s engineers to relocate the port to the rear.
A Lesson from Steve Jobs
This incident, where Elon made a decision based on personal convenience, mirrors some of the leadership styles of Apple’s Steve Jobs. It was shared by Rawlinson, the CEO of Lucid, who previously served as a lead engineer at Tesla before pursuing his vision for electric vehicles.
Lucid’s Innovations
Since then, Rawlinson has demonstrated his skills by designing some of the most luxurious and efficient electric cars available, including the new Gravity SUV. This model can travel 40% farther on a single charge compared to Tesla’s Cybertruck, using the same battery capacity.
The Gravity also became the first non-Tesla vehicle equipped with a NACS charging port that gained access to the Supercharger network. Interestingly, Lucid positioned the port at the rear left corner, allowing the relatively short cable from the V3 Superchargers to easily reach it.
Charging Port Controversy
Initially, Rawlinson advocated for placing the Model S charging port at the front, reasoning that many Americans do not typically back into parking spots as Europeans are taught to do. For the front placement, Tesla’s engineers selected a location between the wheel well and the driver’s door to avoid the need for the driver to walk around the car to plug it in.
They opted against placing the charging port directly under the brand logo at the front, as that area is susceptible to damage, and even minor collisions could disable the port.
Elon Musk, however, was not in favor of the front location, expressing concerns about tripping over the charging cable in the garage of his rented home in Los Angeles.
He insisted on the rear placement, saying it was due to his fear of tripping over the cable. Even though he was renting the house and didn’t own it, the decision resulted in the Model S having its charge port on the left rear, influenced by the setup of Musk’s temporary garage in Bel Air. Consequently, every Tesla charger nationwide requires backing into the spot since the charge port is at the rear, which some find quite odd. Now, Lucid has also placed its charging port on the left rear of the Gravity to ensure compatibility.
As most major electric vehicle manufacturers gain access to the Supercharger network, and the Tesla NACS ports become the standard for charging, it’s likely that rear port placements will continue to be the norm. This is happening even while Tesla is launching upgraded V4 stations, which not only provide more power but also feature longer cables that extend outside the charging station.
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Tags: Lucid Gravity, NACS charging port, Tesla
January 31, 2025
Tesla Covers HW3 Upgrade Costs for FSD Owners in Older Cars
During the event for announcing the Cybercab, all demo robotaxis were equipped with the new Full Self-Driving version 13. Tesla began to slowly introduce this update to the rest of its vehicles last quarter, fulfilling its promise.
Limited Availability of FSD 13
However, the release isn’t broadly available yet. Currently, FSD 13 is only accessible to a small group of owners who have recent models featuring Tesla’s latest Hardware 4.0 computer already installed.
For those with HW3, “we recently put out the 12.6 version, which is like a mini V13, but it’s a big step up from what they had before,” explained Tesla’s Vaibhav Taneja during the Q4 investor call.
Continued Support for HW3
Tesla hasn’t abandoned its HW3 vehicles entirely, and they are working to adapt FSD 13 to function on those older computers. “We won’t give up on Hardware 3; we are still putting effort into it,” Vaibhav noted, but added that “the updates will lag behind those for Hardware 4.”
There remains some optimism that Tesla will succeed in making FSD 13 compatible with older Hardware 3.0 computers. After all, Elon Musk hinted at an unsupervised FSD rollout for this year during the Cybercab event, and this feature will utilize version 13. If Tesla cannot achieve this, they will upgrade all HW3 computers of customers who bought FSD to the HW4 version, as Elon stated during the Q3 call.
Elon Musk’s Assurance on Upgrades
He reinforced this commitment during the Q4 earnings call, expressing greater confidence that a retrofit will indeed be necessary. When queried about whether Tesla would absorb the costs for upgrading the computers and how it might affect future profits, Elon acknowledged that older vehicles would likely need new computers:
“The honest answer is we’ll have to upgrade the Hardware 3 computers for those who purchased Full Self Driving, and that’s the truth. It will be tough and challenging, but we’ll make it happen. Honestly, I’m kind of relieved that not too many people opted for the FSD package.”
The only puzzle left from his statement is whether Tesla plans to upgrade HW3 vehicles with HW4 computers to support FSD 13 or if a swap won’t be required before FSD 14 comes out.
Future Plans for Cybercab
The Cybercab ride-sharing service is set to roll out to the general public next year, meaning Tesla may have time to sort out FSD 13 compatibility for HW3 users in the meantime. For future updates, owners of the older Tesla models will likely receive a HW4 upgrade at no cost, and Tesla will need to cover the costs involved.
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Tags: Full Self-Driving 13, Hardware 3.0, Tesla
January 30, 2025
Tesla Launches Driverless 2026 Model Y and Model 3 Ride-Share in Texas
When Elon Musk presented at the Cybercab launch event on October 10, he announced that Tesla plans to roll out unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology this year. This is intended to serve as the foundation for a robotaxi ride-share platform.
Release Timeline for Autonomous Vehicles
During the Q4 earnings call, Musk provided a timeline for the introduction of driverless Teslas on public roads, referring specifically to the unsupervised FSD. He mentioned that Tesla will deploy a fleet of vehicles, likely including the 2026 Model Y and the updated Model 3 equipped with HW4 technology, in Austin starting in June.
As he stated, “The Teslas will be out there, all alone in June in Austin… We’ll be starting off slowly, just to make sure everything is alright. Our AI solution is generalized, meaning we don’t need super precise local maps. So we want to be careful. It works beyond Austin, we just want to test the waters safely before going all in.”
Expansion Plans Across the U.S.
The robotaxi service, which will utilize Tesla’s own cars, is expected to grow to California and other parts of the U.S. by year-end. Musk shared that once Tesla feels confident about the safety and functionality of its unsupervised FSD and ride-share services, they will open the fleet to Tesla owners in the following year.
“It’ll be our fleet testing it out first. We’re being cautious and monitoring everything closely. But yes, we will have autonomous ride-hailing for payment in Austin come June. Soon after, we hope to expand to other U.S. cities. I believe we’ll be operating unsupervised with our fleet in multiple cities by the year’s end. Then, probably next year, we’ll allow people to add or remove their cars from our fleet. It’s not like we are inventing something entirely new; we just have to ensure all systems work properly, from car ordering to payments.”
Initial Launch Locations
Initially, Tesla indicated it would kick off the unsupervised FSD for the Cybercab service in Texas and California, where regulations on autonomous vehicles are either lenient or already established. It seems they opted for Texas due to a more relaxed regulatory environment.
In December, Tesla organized a training session for first responders in Austin about handling driverless cars, which hinted at its choice of Texas for the first launch of the robotaxi service.
The service will begin with Tesla’s own fleet, followed by the addition of private vehicles from owners willing to share them on the platform for durations ranging from a few hours to several months in 2026. Ultimately, the Cybercab, designed without a steering wheel or pedals, is also expected to debut around 2026.
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Tags: Cybercab, FSD, Tesla
January 27, 2025
Tesla Model Y FSD Camera Cleaning System Demoed in 2025 Refresh
Dirty HW3 or HW4 cameras have long been a frustration for many Tesla drivers using Autopilot, FSD, or parking in tough weather.
The cameras on Tesla vehicles often face issues like fogging, freezing, or getting covered with dirt, sleet, or snow. This affects all the driver-assist features, leading some drivers to wish Tesla would reconsider their choice to ditch LiDAR in favor of a camera-based Vision system. One Reddit user pointed out:
“This is a major issue for ALL their vehicles. Autopilot doesn’t function well when the cameras are dirty, and I’ve been saying for years now that they need to implement weather solutions for all the cameras if they want FSD to meet people’s needs. Other manufacturers have added washers to their cameras; why hasn’t Tesla done the same?”
Addressing the Issue
Tesla has taken steps to tackle the problem of dirty FSD cameras, but not for the rear camera, which tends to get dirtier than the others. Drivers often found themselves needing to use a camera cleaning kit. The Cybertruck was designed with a cleaning and heating system for the front bumper camera, which was previously a unique feature of Tesla’s first electric pickup.
Fortunately, this camera washing feature is now being introduced to the Model Y Juniper facelift set to launch in March. Early reviews of the 2025 Model Y have begun testing the front bumper camera washer, and it’s hopeful that the lens will also include a heating element like in the Cybertruck, helping to clear ice or snow during winter without requiring drivers to step outside their Model Y Juniper.
Future Developments
Regarding the rear cameras that often gather dirt, Tesla recently announced that they are working on a “comprehensive cleaning solution,” but they haven’t shared any specifics yet.
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Tags: FSD, Model Y, Tesla
January 24, 2025
Tesla Announces 2025 Model Y Release with $599 Lease and FSD
Tesla has officially opened orders for the 2025 Model Y in the US, just as many were expecting. The price for the Juniper refresh starts at $59,990 before tax credits or any other incentives, but it does come with Full Self-Driving (FSD) included.
Release Date and Special Edition
The 2025 Model Y is scheduled to be released in the US in March, aligning with its launch in China and Europe. The Juniper facelift is available as the Launch Series Long Range AWD edition, featuring unique badging and complimentary FSD, which contributes to the higher cost.
Impressive Range Figures
Tesla claims that the new Model Y can achieve a range of up to 320 miles when equipped with the smaller, 19-inch Crossflow wheels. If you opt for the premium 20-inch Helix wheels, the range drops to 303 miles. These figures come from Tesla’s own testing, which tends to be stricter than EPA standards, so there might be a chance for the range to be adjusted upward by over ten miles.
The anticipated EPA range for the 2025 Model Y AWD could be quite similar to the 337 miles offered by the current RWD version in the US. In China, Tesla has indicated a 3% improvement in range for the facelift compared to the earlier model, according to local CLTC tests.
Design Enhancements for Better Efficiency
Tesla attributes the enhanced Juniper range to a “redesigned exterior with improved aerodynamics that unlocks better range, performance & longevity,” instead of introducing a new or larger battery. It remains unclear if the US Model Y Juniper will utilize Tesla’s own 4680 cells.
The 2025 Model Y is priced at $4,000 more than the current AWD version, even without considering the bundled FSD option. Although the Launch Series edition includes “exclusive badging on the rear liftgate, puddle lights, doorsill plates, and more,” along with upgraded materials in the seats and interior, it’s still pricier than the existing top-tier Performance trim.
Tax Credit and Leasing Options
Tesla still lists the Model Y Juniper as eligible for the federal tax credit, which likely explains the hurried announcement of a single trim that won’t be available until March. Early adopters of the 2025 Model Y can seize the $7,500 tax credit if they act quickly, as the new Trump administration has put a halt to any EV subsidy distributions until further notice, possibly eliminating the tax credit entirely.
Tesla might be prepared to make up for the potential loss of the tax credit for Model Y Juniper refresh buyers. Currently, they’re offering a lease option at $599 per month for the 2025 Model Y, factoring in a $100 “gas savings” and a mysterious “Tesla incentive” that is suspiciously equal to the $7,500 federal tax credit. Additionally, there’s a purchase option available for leased Model Y Juniper refresh vehicles.
Additional Benefits of the 2025 Model Y
Aside from the higher price of the Juniper facelift, the new 2025 Model Y brings various exterior, interior, and specification enhancements compared to the older Model Y, including the extended range on a single charge. Tesla has detailed all these improvements.
Tesla has also introduced the 2025 Model Y in Europe, featuring an exciting new AWD Launch Series Maximum Range version, which offers a longer range than the current RWD champion there—568 km (352 miles) compared to 565 km on the local WLTP cycle.
It’s possible this version could have the rumored larger 95 kWh battery for the 2025 Model Y, but its range can only be accurately compared to the US model once the official EPA estimates are released.
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Tags: Juniper, Model Y, Tesla
January 23, 2025
Model Y Prices Surge Ahead of Juniper Release Due to Tariffs
While Tesla is set to reveal the pricing and release date for the 2025 Model Y Juniper refresh in North America, possibly this week, buyers in the US and Canada might encounter significantly increased costs.
Changes in US Pricing
In the US, the Model Y Juniper could be available without the federal tax credit of $7,500. This is due to the new Trump administration’s request for a halt on all EV subsidies until a 90-day review is completed. Once this review is done, the federal agencies will provide recommendations on whether to eliminate the new EV tax credit and charging infrastructure aids altogether, with a strong possibility of that happening.
Price Hikes in Canada
Starting February 1, fans of Tesla’s popular Model Y in Canada will also see steep price increases. Tesla Canada has confirmed that the price of the Model Y will rise by CA$4,000 (approximately US$2,790). The Model 3 Long Range AWD and Performance trims will have even higher increases of CA$8,000 and CA$9,000, respectively.
Coincidentally, this date also marks when the Trump administration’s new tariffs against Canada and Mexico take effect. Canada plans to respond with import taxes on US goods. As a result, Tesla appears to be proactively raising prices for all Model Y trims in Canada by nearly CA$3,000 and doubling that for Model 3 prices.
Disadvantages for Canadian Buyers
Canadian consumers face a tough situation as Tesla buyers since their federal EV rebate expired last year. Additionally, the CAD has been falling sharply against the USD amid the looming tariff threats.
To add to the woes, Tesla has priced the 2025 Model Y Juniper refresh somewhat higher than the previous model in China. If it follows suit in North America, early buyers might be in for an unwelcome shock after enjoying a year of discounts and promotions that brought the Model Y price down to nearly $35,000 with combined rebates and incentives.
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Tags: EV tax credit, Model Y Juniper, Tesla