Tag: Tesla

  • Tesla Colorado Store Vandalized for the Third Time

    Tesla Colorado Store Vandalized for the Third Time

    Tesla’s Colorado location has been hit by vandals and suspected arsonists for the third time. The incident occurred early Friday morning, as per a report from the Loveland Police Department. Officers arrived hours later to conduct initial investigations.

    Graffiti and Damage

    The building and surrounding vehicles were found covered in hateful and offensive graffiti. While police have not disclosed the specific phrases used, media outlets have shared images of cars with large Xs painted on their windshields. Additionally, the vandals wrote “NAZI CARS” on the outside of the dealership.

    Previous Incidents and Ongoing Investigations

    Similar vandalism events took place on January 29th and February 2nd at the same site. The local police are collaborating with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate. They are urging anyone with information to come forward.

    Elon Musk and Government Cuts

    Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has become a prominent figure in the current government’s attempts to reduce federal spending. He has advocated for the elimination of federal agencies like USAID and has led layoffs of thousands of government workers, which has sparked strong reactions.

    International Incidents

    Tesla has also experienced attacks on its international stores. Just last week, a showroom in The Hague was defaced with insults, featuring terms like “Nazi” and “fascist,” along with swastika flags.

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  • Tesla Provides Lifetime Free Supercharging for Powerful Vehicles

    Tesla Provides Lifetime Free Supercharging for Powerful Vehicles

    When Tesla launched free lifetime Supercharging for the Model S, it quickly became a hit, even though its charging network was just starting out.

    Years later, those Model S vehicles that include free lifetime Supercharging still fetch higher prices in the resale market. This is true despite the fact that early models, particularly those made before 2016, had a known design flaw in the battery housing that caused failures.

    Battery Replacement Boosts Value

    If the battery was swapped out under warranty, or by the previous owner, and the valve issue was fixed, the Model S with free charging became even more desirable. The same applies to the Model X, which was sold with transferable free Supercharging until March 2017.

    Fresh Incentives for Sales

    Tesla is currently looking to attract buyers in America and Europe for its pricier high-performance models, the Model S and Model X, by offering the same free Supercharging incentive to boost sales. Given that the Model S and Model X make up a small portion of Tesla’s total sales, they’re not losing a lot with this offer. Additionally, the price of the Model X has been raised, putting it above the federal tax credit limit. Elon Musk likely understands that the Trump administration might eliminate the EV tax credit program, similar to what happened with the national EV charging network, so Tesla could be adjusting its incentives accordingly.

    Changes to the Offer

    However, the free lifetime Supercharging deal for the Model S and Model X isn’t exactly the same as the initial offer. The original deal was transferable, while the current offer has specific terms:

    Customers who buy or lease a new Model S can enjoy free Supercharging as long as they own the vehicle. This offer is linked to the Tesla account and can’t be transferred to a different vehicle, person, or order, even if ownership changes. Used cars, business orders, and vehicles used for commercial purposes (like rideshares or deliveries) are not eligible. Owners are still responsible for Supercharger fees, including idle and congestion charges, if they apply. This promotion can be combined with other offers, but Tesla has the right to revoke free Supercharging if there are excessive charges or unpaid fees. The promotion may change or end at any time.

    In essence, while the free lifetime Supercharging for the Model S or Model X lasts as long as the buyer owns the vehicle—potentially up to 20 years—it is linked to the buyer’s Tesla account and cannot be passed on to the next owner. This keeps the resale value of the car elevated for a longer time.

    Recent Trends in Offers

    Tesla has applied this new approach to all its free lifetime Supercharging offers recently, including the one for the Cybertruck, as well as limited-time promotions used to clear out inventory in the last two quarters.

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  • Cybercab Profits at $15K: Tesla’s Robotaxi Passenger Solutions

    Cybercab Profits at $15K: Tesla’s Robotaxi Passenger Solutions

    With the drop in battery prices, Tesla’s Cybercab may turn a profit even at a price of $15,000, thanks to its efficiency per kWh of battery pack.

    However, this figure is lower than what Elon Musk stated during the Cybercab’s launch, where he mentioned it would be priced at twice that amount, not counting any subsidies or incentives. According to an analysis by ARK Invest concerning the potential of the robotaxi market, the cost could be achievable once produced on a larger scale.

    Efficiency and Costs

    Tesla has indicated that the Cybercab will achieve an efficiency of 5.5 miles per kWh. If we combine this with the expected decline in battery costs predicted by Wright’s Law, we might see battery costs drop to around $2,300. Generally, the drivetrain makes up around 20% of a vehicle’s overall cost, suggesting that a Cybercab could be profitable at or below $15,000.

    There are many assumptions involved here, and while ARK has a reputation for being overly optimistic, even if the price stays below $30,000 with subsidies, the real hurdles to getting Cybercabs on the streets have more to do with regulations than Tesla’s pricing.

    Regulatory Challenges Ahead

    Convincing regulators that a fully autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals is safe will take time. Even though Elon Musk has stated he will leverage his role in the DOGE project to expedite the regulatory process, whether that is a conflict of interest is still debatable.

    Tesla aims to kick off its robotaxi service with unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Austin this June. However, the fleet will initially consist of Model Y Juniper and Model 3 vehicles, with Cybercabs expected to join only by 2026 at the soonest.

    Practical Considerations for Cybercabs

    There are also numerous practical issues to resolve, like the Cybercab’s wireless charging and cleaning systems. After rides, when passengers leave behind a mess, there won’t be a driver available to clean it up with a portable vacuum.

    Tesla has hinted that it has solutions for these challenges and is working on a self-cleaning mechanism for its Robotaxi fleet. A robotic arm is designed to enter a Cybercab and automatically identify items to remove, dispose of, or vacuum.

    In the end, it can even wipe away fingerprints from the display, preparing the Cybercab for the next passenger. However, it remains uncertain how effectively all these systems will function in real life and where the cleaning and charging stations for the Cybercabs will be set up.

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  • Tesla Model Y Juniper: 20-Year Lifespan Outshines Diesel Cars

    Tesla Model Y Juniper: 20-Year Lifespan Outshines Diesel Cars

    A recent study from the UK titled “the closing longevity gap between battery electric and internal combustion vehicles” suggests that concerns regarding the lifespan of electric vehicles (EVs) may be exaggerated.

    Improved Lifespan of Modern EVs

    The research indicates that earlier issues with electric cars, which led to more frequent repairs and shorter lifespans, have been largely resolved in today’s EVs. Their lifespans are now similar to those of gasoline cars, even when used more heavily. This is particularly evident for Tesla vehicles, with some models having already reached over 400,000 miles. Researchers noted, “Tesla’s EVs are expected to cover an average of 204,000 miles over their lifetime, surpassing all other brands regardless of powertrain.”

    Tesla vs. Other Brands

    When calculating the average expected lifespan of Tesla cars, the study found it to be 20.3 years, which is longer than both petrol and diesel vehicles. Among diesel cars, VW’s Skodas are predicted to last the longest at 17.4 years, but they will cover less distance than Teslas. For gasoline vehicles, Audis might last 20.9 years, slightly exceeding Tesla’s lifespan, though they typically have much lower usage, about 143,100 miles.

    Future Considerations for EV Longevity

    However, researchers warn that the electric vehicle sector is still quite new, and the costs of battery replacements need to decrease to truly take advantage of their extended technological lifespan. They stated, “To fully realize the benefits of a longer BEV lifespan, replacement batteries, if necessary, must be affordable relative to the residual value of BEVs without their original batteries.” As of 2020, the price for battery replacement ranged from US$4,000 for a 30 kWh Nissan battery to US$10,275 for a 75 kWh Tesla Model 3. In contrast, ICE vehicle transmission replacements cost between US$1,100 and US$3,400. If battery prices do not decline in a timely manner, owners may decide to dispose of their BEVs prematurely, which could distort comparisons of longevity with ICE vehicles.

    Advancements in EV Warranties

    Taking this into account, both electric vehicle and battery manufacturers are pushing for longer warranties to enhance the second-hand market. Companies like NIO and CATL are striving to establish a standard 15-year battery warranty, increasing from the current average of eight years.

    The technology behind battery cell chemistry has matured to the point where CATL can provide such warranties for swap stations or commercial batteries. If a 15-year warranty for EVs becomes common, the findings of this vehicle longevity study—suggesting that new Teslas, including the forthcoming Model Y Juniper, could last for 20 years—might signal a promising trend for the future.

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    Tesla Model Y Juniper: 20-Year Lifespan Outshines Diesel Cars
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  • In 2025, 66% of New EVs in China Will Feature Self-Driving Tech

    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.

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  • Tesla Reduces Insurance Costs for FSD Drivers

    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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  • Tesla Prices Rise CA$9,000 in Canada Amid Cybertruck and Model 3 Changes

    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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    Tesla Prices Rise CA$9,000 in Canada Amid Cybertruck and Model 3 Changes
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  • Tesla Autopilot and FSD: 6x Safer Than Distracted Human Drivers

    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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  • Tesla Cars Feature Rear Charging Port Inspired by Elon Musk’s Garage

    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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  • Tesla Covers HW3 Upgrade Costs for FSD Owners in Older Cars

    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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