The most recent Tesla news may be found right here.
Tesla is now the most prominent name in the electric vehicle industry, despite the fact that it is a relatively young firm compared to more established automobile companies. Tesla has also had a roller-coaster year.
As a result, there is a lot going on around the Tesla, from new vehicles to Elon Musk’s EV musings. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the latest Tesla news and updates, making it easier than ever to keep tabs on the firm.
In this article, we’ll tell you why you should be thrilled about what Tesla has planned for the rest of this year and beyond.
The latest Tesla news (updated Mar 15)
Tesla’s pricing went up once again on March 15th.
In recent months, we’ve heard a lot about “Tesla price rise,” but here it is again. Tesla changed its pricing on its online configurator earlier this week, bringing the Model 3’s starting price down to $46,990. A $2,000 rise in price.
The price of Tesla’s long-range Model 3 has increased by $2,500, despite a $1,000 price increase last week, and now costs $54,490. There was a $3,000 increase in the price of the Performance model, making it $61,990.
There are no exceptions to this rule. The long-range Model Y now costs $62,990, up $2,000 from last week’s pricing and a further $1,000 from this point on. There was a $1,000 price increase on the Performance Model Y.
Not even the already-expensive Model S and Model X versions were exempt. Tesla’s regular Model S is now priced at $98,990 (up $5,000) while the Plaid is now priced at $135,990 (up $5,000). The Variant X, Tesla’s most costly vehicle, now begins at $114,990 for the basic model and $138,990 for the Plaid model. Increases of $10,000 and $7,000, respectively.
The supply chain and rising material costs are most likely to blame for the rise. Nickel, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries, has witnessed a significant rise in price.
The good news is that only new orders will be impacted by the pricing change. That’s why if you booked a Tesla at a cheaper price, you should get the same amount you paid.
Tesla is prioritising orders with the $12,000 Full Self-Driving add-on as of March 11th.
It’s no secret that Tesla has difficulty fulfilling demand, and several of its cars—especially the Model X—have long wait periods. You may be able to acquire your automobile sooner if you have the money to pay for Full Self Driving.
According to InsideEVs, the average wait time for a Model Y is around six months, but the $12,000 FSD option cuts that wait time in half. In the meanwhile, the ordinary Variant 3 will be available in May, while the FSD-equipped model will be available a month sooner.
There is, however, an extra $12,000 fee for those who want a Tesla in a hurry.
Tesla non-performance models will get ‘Track Mode’ on February 28.
Even if you don’t possess one of Tesla’s Performance or Plaid model vehicles, you’ll be able to modify your car’s settings far more.
Even whether you own a Model 3 or a Model Y with a normal or long-range battery, Elon Musk has announced that it will be available. If you have the Acceleration Boost update, it should.
It is possible to alter the car’s balance and traction control settings as well as its handling in Track Mode. The g-forces, temperatures, and other data will be shown on your car’s screen by Tesla in addition to other features.
You may also store each lap as a separate video on your car’s dashcam if you’ve put up a start/finish line marker.
Neither a timetable nor a decision on whether or not vehicles without Acceleration Boost will be upgraded have been made. You’ll have to be patient, so just sit back and wait.
Full Self-Driving Beta will be sent out to Canada on February 28th
The beta version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Autopilot is only available in the United States. It was, or it was, since it has also begun to spread in Canada.
FSD owners who pass Tesla’s “safety test score” may enrol in the beta programme, which offers them early access to new software and features before the general public. And now, if you reside in Canada, you’ll be able to access it. In North America, though, you’re out of luck.
Drivers of FSD cars in Canada may request beta access using the infotainment system in their vehicles. Request Full-Self Driving Beta through Controls > Autopilot > Request Full-Self Driving Beta.
On February 23, Tesla wants you to be able to play Steam games in your automobiles.
One day, you may be able to access your Steam library from the comfort of your automobile. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on the other hand, seems to be aiming for that outcome, stating that the firm intends to enable Tesla play Steam games rather than just transferring them one at a time.
It’s nothing new to be able to play games in a Tesla. AAA games like The Witcher 3 and, maybe, Cyberpunk 2077, can be played on more modern Model S and Model X automobiles. In addition to the aforementioned vehicles, many more are capable of participating in a variety of less resource-intensive mini-games.
Adding Steam games would obviously be a great improvement. Musk has previously argued that “entertainment will be crucial when automobiles drive themselves,” even if it isn’t required for you to play video games in your car right now. He’s not incorrect, but we’re still a long way from automobiles doing all the hard work without the driver’s involvement, no matter how many times Musk says otherwise.
Because of this, Tesla has plenty of time to focus on increasing the restricted game library of their vehicles. Playing them while driving is OK, as long as it doesn’t allow individuals to do so
Tesla is now allowing Model 3 customers over the age of three to have their trunks upgraded, but only in China (for now)
Those who already own a Model 3 may get a power tailgate — a motorised trunk hatch that opens and closes on its own — for $650 via a Tesla upgrade programme. However, the update is only accessible in China at the moment, so there is a catch.
Many people expected a motorised tailgate in a Model 3 EV when they bought an older model, but it wasn’t available on earlier models. Tesla is now providing Chinese consumers the opportunity to have the work done by approved Tesla experts rather than third parties. Parts and labour were included in the $650 asking price.
There’s a tendency for Tesla to announce things in China first, and it just started providing a first-party wrapping service in China as well. That, and the tailgate modification, will ultimately be rolled out globally.
February 17: Hertz has invested in an electric vehicle rental app, making it simpler to hire a Tesla
To demonstrate its commitment to electric vehicles, Hertz ordered 100,000 Tesla Model 3s and announced the creation of its own nationwide network of fast-charging stations last year. UFODRIVE, a European EV rental app, is the latest company to express its support for electric vehicles by investing in the company.
UFODRIVE is entirely digital and takes place on your smartphone, with no other human beings present at any point in the process. UFODRIVE has been testing Hertz automobiles in the app since last year, and with Tesla’s numerous Model 3s being delivered, it won’t be long until you can hire one for yourself.
The 21st of January is a possible entry date for Tesla into the audio and headphone industry.
Would you purchase a set of Tesla headphones? With Tesla’s trademark application to extend to include audio equipment, you may have your opportunity in the near future (via Elektrek).
The trademark petition would include Tesla’s name and emblem, as well as the T-shape. “microphones; headphones; earphones” and “digital audio players” are also included, as well as “sound transmitting equipment,” “audio speakers,” “subwoofers,” “earpads for headphones,” and “audio equalisation apparatus.”
The list goes on and on, and it’s hard to comprehend what else Tesla had in mind. A easy solution would be to employ technology previously developed in-house to create branded audio systems for its vehicles.
A vast variety of products is available at the automaker’s store, including anything from t-shirts to phone charging cables to model automobiles. It isn’t out of the question that the corporation may also be interested in selling headphones. It’s not known whether those headphones will be manufactured by Tesla or a third-party OEM that licences the Tesla moniker.
Autopilot was killed in an accident on January 19th, and the driver has been charged with vehicular homicide.
Are the acts of a self-driving car subject to the authority of the person operating it? California prosecutors have now filed vehicular manslaughter charges against Tesla’s Autopilot after a fatal incident involving a Model S on Autopilot.
Kevin George Aziz Riad has pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from the incident in Gardena, Los Angeles, which happened in 2019. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has confirmed that Riad’s Model S was using Autopilot at the time of the incident, which resulted in the car crashing into a Honda Civic. A passenger in the Tesla was also wounded in the crash, which claimed the lives of both of the Civic’s occupants.
It’s the first time a felony has been brought against a person for an incident using a partly automated driving system, according to the Washington Post. That means this is a high-profile case that, regardless of the outcome, has the potential to create a precedent for how future cases like this are handled.
A sharp warning that Autopilot and other driver assistance technologies, although remarkable, are not capable of autonomous driving is also provided. In the event of an accident, the driver must be able to regain control of the vehicle at any moment.
When asked about Tesla’s Full Self Driving beta, Elon Musk said, “It hasn’t had an accident.”
Since its debut, Tesla’s Full Self Driving pilot programme has sparked debate. The carmaker has been criticised for its inadequate safety measures and for testing incomplete products on public roads with actual customers as guinea pigs.
Since the FSD beta programme was originally released in October 2020, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has certified that there have been no incidents.
Complaints concerning FSD’s safety record have been made public, including an allegation that a Model Y equipped with the FSD beta wouldn’t allow an owner to take control.
The validity of this allegation has yet to be established, however. Additionally, Tesla has recalled an update to fix a problem with phantom brakes, and there have been other instances of software malfunctions.
If the FSD beta drivers haven’t had any reported accidents, it’s an incredible achievement. If it’s the software, or the fact that Tesla is only giving beta access to the top drivers, it’s not apparent.
However, it is conceivable that we are on our way to automobiles capable of driving better than any human driver at this point in time.
There was a large recall of Tesla’s new Model 3 and Model S vehicles on December 30th.
Recalls have been ordered for over half a million Teslas. Model 3s built between 2017 and 2020 are affected, as are all Model Ss built after 2014.
The problem with the Model 3’s rear-view camera harness is that it may be destroyed when the trunk is opened and closed. Drivers may lose video feed from their rear-view camera if the device is broken.
The front-trunk lock on the Model S seems to be defective, which might lead to an unexpected opening.
In observance of the holidays, Tesla will be offering free Supercharging on Dec. 20.
Despite Tesla’s announcement that it would provide free Supercharging throughout the Christmas season, there is a major caveat that you should be aware of. If you plug in during off-peak hours, you’ll be able to charge for free.
There will be no extra charge for using off-peak charging from December 23 to December 26 when it’s available between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., according Tesla. That’s not a problem, but it’s not the greatest time to go big distances.
People are encouraged to travel at various times to prevent large delays at Supercharger stations. During the Christmas travel season, this will be a problem.
The only drawback is that not all Tesla Superchargers are included in this promotion. For this reason, you’ll need to check out the Tesla website to see whether you’ll be passing by any of the locations.
Tesla will begin taking Dogecoin payments on December 14th, but not for automobiles.
Although you won’t be able to purchase a Tesla Cybertruck with Dogecoin, Elon Musk has said that Tesla would begin taking payments in the meme-based cryptocurrency in the near future. Instead, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company would accept Dogecoin payments for merchandise and “see how it works.”
Dogecoin has been Musk’s pet project for a while, but Tesla hasn’t yet adopted it. Even when it considered taking Bitcoin.
People will be able to purchase Dogecoin-based merchandise at some point, although just when is unclear. Everything, even Tesla’s ‘Giga Texas’ belt buckle, is now priced in dollars. The price of Dogecoin may go up, but we’ll have to wait and watch how this all plays out.
At Tesla’s Fremont test track, a drone video shows significant design tweaks, such as an enormous windshield wiper.
One of Tesla’s Fremont test tracks includes a new Tesla Cybertruck prototype, which can be seen in a new drone video. The truck has already undergone several improvements since it was filmed. Improved visibility of the truck’s side mirrors, as well as its bigger windshield wiper.
In Elon Musk’s words, this isn’t about the pace of manufacturing, but rather the design. According to this, the Cybertruck’s large windshield is probably due to the large wiper. Exactly what went wrong with the dual wiper system used by almost every other automobile isn’t quite obvious.
Even though the side mirrors are simple to remove, we recommend researching your state’s legislation before doing it.
A recent leak on Dec. 9 suggests that Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y will be getting new hardware in 2022.
The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y seem to be receiving significant hardware updates just in time for 2022, according to reports. The specifics of what we may anticipate from European testing have been posted online, so we can get a sense of what to expect.
There are a number of little adjustments being made, such as an improved washer fluid pump. Other changes are more important, such as a new ‘Superhorn,’ which combines the horn, external speaker, and alarm into a single device, and a new 1.5V li-on battery for the infotainment computer.
In the meanwhile, if you’re wondering about how a 2022 Model 3 or Model Y will vary from one you purchased today, you’ll know where to look.
It’s a terrible idea, but Tesla vehicles now allow you to play video games while you’re behind the wheel.
It’s long been known that Tesla’s infotainment screen can be used to play video games. Some of these games, however, may be played while the vehicle is in motion.
As of this Summer, Tesla vehicles can play Solitaire and Sky Force Reloaded and The Battle of Polytopia: Moonrise while driving – something no other car can accomplish, according to the company.
This is clearly a bad concept, despite the fact that it was made with passengers in mind. As a critical piece of hardware that has the potential to contribute to distracted driving, infotainment screens also lack mechanisms to prevent drivers from engaging in unproductive behaviour while using them.
Not to mention that Tesla should know better than to do this on your own, so don’t even think about it.
Tesla Cybertruck has already received an update as of December 6th.
Despite a long delay, the Tesla Cybertruck seems to be undergoing significant improvements as a result of that delay. The quad-motor type will be released first, followed by the tri- and dual-motor models.
According to a report, Tesla is contemplating dropping the single-motor Cybertruck type in favour of variants with two to four motors, which Musk responded to in a Twitter post. The other Cybertruck models have yet to be given a definitive ending, despite Musk’s assurances that a quad-motor version will be built.
The future is hazy, therefore it’s not apparent what will happen. It seems like Tesla is following Rivian’s lead and allowing each wheel to be operated individually. What remains to be seen is how this new Cybertruck version affects the car’s specifications. In addition to a range of more than 500 miles and a top speed of 2.9 seconds, the tri-motor model was initially designed to be the fastest in its class. So we’ll have to wait and see what more is in store for us at this point in time.
It’s possible that Tesla’s app could include car-sharing features in the future.
Musk has long bragged about Tesla’s long-term plan to offer self-driving cars and the ability to call up a self-driving car to drive you around via the “Tesla Network”. There is still a long way to go until Teslas are self-driving, but it seems that the company is laying the foundation by including ride-sharing functionality in its app.
The details of this feature were concealed in the code of Version 4.3.1 of the Tesla app, which includes many points concerning car sharing.
For obvious reasons, the code does not include the ability to call a Tesla to your location. However, this means that Tesla may begin selling ride-sharing services before the driverless vehicle revolution takes hold.