• Despite Tesla trademark application, the Megapod concept already exists
• Megapod's trademark is owned by someone else
• Nvidia and others already dominate this market

Tesla has filed a trademark application for ‘Megapod’ as the company begins to expand beyond electric cars, batteries and solar energy. Already with fingers in the autonomous transportation and humanoid robotics pies with Robotaxi and Optimus, the company is now looking to build modular AI data center infrastructure.

Though the filing is based on an intent-to-use application, meaning that no commercial product is available yet, it describes a self-contained AI computing platform that includes servers, AI hardware, networking equipment, power distribution units, cooling and software.

However, the project and associated trademark application has already hit three big walls – the concept already exists, the ‘Megapod’ trademark is already owned by somebody else, and the market itself is highly crowded with Nvidia, Huawei and others already more established.

Megapod could be related to Megapack

Tesla already uses the ‘Mega’ naming strategy, as evidenced by its Megapack. A battery system that offers a similar commercial proposition to the proposed Megapod, consisting of factory-built complete modules that can be deployed quickly with minimal on-site assembly or construction.

Rather than customers assembling servers, networking, cooling and other infrastructure themselves on-premises, Megapod could arrive as a plug-and-play AI data center, expandable by its modular design.

The news comes around a year after Musk’s company reportedly wound down its Dojo AI training computer project, indicating that it’s no longer gunning for the AI chip market. It now looks like Tesla could be going after more complete physical infrastructure using existing chips, instead.

Mitsubishi already has its own MegaPod, and it possesses a trademark already. And it’s not the first time Musk has faced complications over trademarks, failing to acquire a Robotaxi trademark over it being too generic and facing Cybercab trademark delays after another applicant got in first.

Submer even sells its own MegaPod, described as a data center in a box, adding to the naming complications.

Is there room for Tesla to join the market?

Trademarks aside, if Tesla were to launch a Megapod-type product, it would face stiff competition from established rivals. Nvidia’s DGX and HGX platforms are already commonplace in enterprise deployments, and Huawei has also developed its own solutions based around its Ascend accelerators. Server manufacturers like Dell and HPE also have their own hardware.

However, Tesla could bring its broader experience to the market to entice some customers into its ecosystem. Integration with its Megapack could, for example, give it uninterrupted power supply – xAI has already purchased $1 billion worth of Megapacks. Purchasing power and other internal efficiencies could also keep costs low.

While the company doesn’t really have an existing enterprise customer base, AI startups could be sold on its tech.

Integrated cooling could also be a major selling point, with thermal efficiency now nearly as important as chip performance itself. Nvidia, for example, has already introduced next-generation liquid cooling specifically for its Rubin systems.

As for what’s next, given Musk’s track record and those of his companies, we’re probably more likely to learn about any potential Megapod developments via X posts or surprise launches, rather than blog posts and official announcements.

• Tata Electronics confirmed a cyberattack but said operations remain unaffected, despite threat actor World Leaks claiming 630GB of alleged data
• Archive reportedly includes Apple/Tesla schematics, passport scans, and proprietary files; researchers found references to Pegatron, Foxconn, and Qualcomm too
• Reuters noted Tata is being extorted, though ransom details remain unclear; leaked files suggest sensitive manufacturing and engineering data exposure

Tata Electronics, the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing arm of the Tata Group conglomerate, confirmed suffering a cyberattack, but said it did not affect its operations. The scale of the breach, however, could be rather extensive.

"A few weeks ago, Tata Electronics identified a cybersecurity incident on some of our systems,” the company said in a statement to Reuters. “Our response protocols were deployed immediately, and the incident has had no impact on our operations across businesses, which remain unaffected," it said, without going into details.

This statement came almost two weeks after a threat actor called World Leaks posted a large database on its data leak site, claiming to have come from Tata Electronics, and affecting companies such as Apple and Tesla.

Sensitive files confirmed

According to Reuters, roughly a third of all iPhone production in India is done by Tata Electronics. The company supplies Apple with back panels, enclosures, and circuit board parts, among other things. For Tesla, it’s been supplying it with chips, circuit board assemblies, and vehicle motor controller units, since 2025.

World Leaks uploaded an archive of 204,341 files, weighing 630.4GB. Allegedly, it contains numerous confidential and proprietary data, including Apple and Tesla schematics, passport scans, and other sensitive files.

Reuters said Tata was being extorted for the files but did not say how much money the threat actors were demanding, or if the negotiations were progressing in any way.

Some security researchers analyzed the leaked files and said that they contained information about manufacturing and engineering processes from these two companies. Among the researchers were Cybernews, who claim to have seen “hundreds of references to Apple and Tesla”, a folder named “com.apple.factorydata”, as well as documents labeled as proprietary or confidential.

Cybernews also found files referencing other companies, too: Pegatron, Foxconn, and Qualcomm, to name a few. However, there is no evidence that any of these companies had been breached.

Via Cybernews

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been a central figure in the rise of robotics in the last decade, both as a builder of robotics, as well as a user of robotics, with the company he leads. Despite progress across the field of robotics in recent years, there are aspects of implementation that haven't always been so smooth.

The age of automation

When his past company Tesla was incorporating more automation and elements of robotics into its production of the Tesla Model 3 in 2018, the company ran into various issues.

Elon Musk summarized the issue while issuing comments during a shareholder meeting in June that year, suggesting the approach to automation wasn't conducive to actually increasing productivity.

Specifically, the robots installed struggled with automating final assembly tasks (such as placing flexible trim pieces and hoses) – with Musk also later tweeting that the company made a mistake in implementing "excessive automation".

The lesson was that automating anything and everything within scope was a mistake because there were certain tasks that humans are, and continue to be, strong in. Qualities that robots have, and continue to, lack may include dexterity and cognitive reasoning.

The future of robotics

Tesla's push into robotics has continued at pace since then, with the company's Tesla Optimus soon to enter mass production with a targeted $25,000 retail price.

But whether the technology has advanced enough to make a mark remains to be seen. These qualities include advanced AI, as well as cognitive reasoning and contextual understanding necessary to understand and operate within the physical world.

We've seen plenty of examples of humanoid robots that look the real deal – but still cannot engage in tasks that require a high level of dexterity and understanding to perform well in real-world scenarios.

• Elon Musk replied to X users pressing for a Tesla minivan
• Successor to the Model X could be on the cards
• But Tesla has been teasing an electric van or bus for decades

During a recent interaction with Tesla fans on X, Elon Musk set the rumor mill in motion by hinting that the company is working on “something way cooler than a minivan” when pressed on the issue of a more spacious, family-orientated electric vehicle from the brand.

Speaking on the subject of Cybertruck, in particular how it can fit three child seats abreast in the rear, an X user asked the company to "make a minivan". The Tesla CEO then hinted that something even better is on the horizon.

What form this vehicle would take is entirely up for speculation, although Tesla has only recently announced the discontinuation of its flagship Model S and large, unconventional Model X SUV.

Not a Tesla App believes that a CyberSUV, based on the same platform as Cybertruck, would solve issues of the cramped interior and poor packaging of the Model X, while the website points out that models of larger Cybertruck-inspired SUVs were spotted in the background of official Tesla videos in the past.

Chief designer Franz von Holzhausen told Tesla fans to “wait and see” when numerous eagle-eyed viewers pointed out the teasers. However, Tesla pessimists have stated that Elon Musk has been hinting at a van, large SUV or minivan for a decade now.

In the company’s Master Plan Part Deux it stated that heavy-duty trucks (now the Cybertruck) and high passenger-density transport were in need of electrification, but it has been quiet on the latter until now.

Analysis: Tesla is openly into automation

While the announcement has predictably whipped a large sector of the internet into a frenzy, it’s also perfectly possible that Musk was referring to the Robovan or a similar fully autonomous project that could transport multiple passengers.

After all, the company has scaled back its ambitions to produce new vehicle platforms in order to focus on ‘transportation as a service’, as well as AI and humanoid robots.

On top of this, the Cybertruck has proven a massive flop in terms of overall sales, while Tesla’s grip on the EV market is steadily slipping, as an increasing number of Chinese manufacturers have started chipping away at sales in Europe and beyond.

If the refreshed Roadster project is any example to go by, we could be waiting many more months to get answers.

• Energy regulator grants Tesla Energy Ventures license to provide electricity
• Reports state that Tesla looks to replicate its energy supply business in Texas
• ‘Virtual Power Plant’ could allow solar owners to feed back into the grid

The British energy regulator Ofgem has granted Tesla Energy Ventures, a unit of Tesla, a license to supply electricity to both domestic and commercial customers across the UK.

According to Reuters, the move would allow Tesla to expand its business and use its experience with a similar setup in Texas, which uses its solar energy and battery storage business to directly compete with existing energy suppliers in the UK, such as Octopus Energy, British Gas and EDF.

Tesla doesn’t provide data on the number of Powerwall Home Battery Storage Systems it has sold to UK residents, but the company stated that it had installed one million worldwide at the end of last year.

The units, which see a large battery storage system harness energy from the grid when it is at its cheapest, are not only touted to help reduce energy bills but also protect in the event of a blackout.

When paired with solar panels, users can power homes or the workplace, charge EVs and even feed excess energy back into Tesla’s “Virtual Power Plant”, lowering the cost of energy and allowing some homeowners to generate income.

Currently, Tesla’s “virtual power plant” for Powerwall owners is offered through Octopus Energy, but this would change with Ofgem’s recent ruling.

Analysis: A keen move in a time of energy uncertainty

Tesla’s EV sales have been slipping globally, with a particularly poor performance in the UK and Europe recently. According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Tesla’s UK sales fell 37% from 3,852 to 2,422 in February compared with the same period last year.

That said, it still has a lot of Tesla owners, many of whom are generally more willing to embrace new technologies. Its push into the energy sector could convince an increasing number of owners to install Powerwall and solar to reduce reliance on the grid and charge their vehicles more cheaply.

However, not everyone is convinced that Tesla will have such an easy time.

Adam Bell, former head of energy at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and now director of policy at consultancy Stonehaven, told City AM that Tesla is entering a “heavily regulated market” in which margins have been “squeezed to the narrowest possible extent” and in which it faces competitors who have “already invested in novel tariff offers”.

While most British households are ‘protected’ from escalating energy costs by price caps and regulated tariffs, this is due to change in July, when the next adjustment is expected and the government may be forced to step in should the conflict in the Middle East continue to force prices up.

Lost among the shock news that Tesla would be shifting away from Model S and Model X production to building a million robots a year in its Fremont factory were the company's wild aspirations and promises for its upcoming Optimus 3 humanoid robot.

Built on the same Full Self Driving technology (FSD) you'd find in a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y EV, Tesla's Optimus robot has been on a development fast track for almost four years, quickly graduating from embarrassingly halting locomotion to impressive dance moves. Now, though, Elon Musk and Tesla are promising something more – and possibly more disturbing.

During an earnings call in which execs did their best to put a positive spin on declining sales and extreme EV competition in one of their biggest markets (China), Tesla robotics engineer, and the guy leading its AI efforts, Ashok Elluswamy, claimed, "Yeah, it’s an awesome robot that minimizes any differences... It looks like a human. People could be easily confused that it’s a human."

Entering the uncanny valley

Naturally, I have questions. Sure, there is a movement now among humanoid robotics engineers to make their robots look a little more lifelike, like the oddly feminized Xpeng robot, but no one would mistake it for a real woman. I'm struggling to imagine how someone might confuse the upcoming Optimus 3 with a person, especially if it still has that smooth, all-black featureless plastic face.

On the other hand, no one really wants an humanoid robot with an uncanny valley face walking around their living room.

This is a conversation, though, about more than looks. Musk also made some bold claims during the call, insisting that we're heading into an age of "amazing abundance" (a new company motto) and that AI and robotics would be the driving force behind us all having "a future of universal high income. Not universal basic income, but universal high income."

Tesla's plan to use its Freemont manufacturing facility to churn out one million Optimus robots a year could mean, in Musk's view, that “Everyone can have whatever they want, including great medical care.”

None of this seems remotely possible – certainly not based on Tesla's timeline of delivering Optimus 3 in March 2026 and consumer-grade robots at scale by 2027 or 2028, especially if they cost in the range of $30,000.

Will we all want one?

Musk's commitment to this idea is deep, and his comments during the earnings call – in which he claimed that his Optimus robot will be an economic force big enough to move the US GDP – align with statements he made at the Davos World Economic Forum a week or so ago.

There he told an audience: "I think everyone on earth is going to have one, to want one," adding that people will want his robots to watch over children, pets, and, yes, the elderly ("assuming it’s very safe").

Musk isn't wrong about the elder care crisis we're facing. The aging population is essentially outpacing the birthrate, and Musk noted in Davos that there are not enough young people to take care of the elderly.

Robots assisting in elder care isn't a new idea, nor is it unique to Musk and Tesla. It's been a topic of conversation for almost as long as I've covered robotics, and certainly humanoid robots.

Honda's long-term goal for its revolutionary ASIMO humanoid robot was elder care, but the car company eventually stopped pouring money into the ill-fated research project. Interestingly, another car company, Hyundai, is now at the forefront of humanoid robotics development with its significant Boston Dynamics Atlas funding.

The problem I see with Musk, Tesla, and Optimus 3 is that even with the rapid advances being made as a result of AI training, Musk's timeline is off.

Very little is known right now about how humans and humanoid robots will interact in real-world environments, and I would assume that years of testing will be required before we can safely leave any robot home alone with grandma. The technology for making these robots look and act human is still far from perfected.

And then there's the price – $30,000 is out of range for most people, while those wealthy enough to afford Optimus will likely treat it like a toy rather than a utility.

Humanoid robots will not become universal until they're $500 a piece and accept payment plans (I know some companies are looking at leases, but the monthly costs on those will be at least as much as luxury car payments).

The China factor

And then there's China. Even Musk admitted that while people often underestimate that nation, it may offer the toughest robot competition. On the other hand, Musk showed few doubts about his ability to beat the global superpower, saying "We think Optimus will be much more capable than any robot that we are aware of under development in China."

Musk pointed to the strides it's made in dexterity, real-world AI, and scaling. "Those are the three hardest problems by far for humanoid robots. I think Tesla is the only company that actually has all three of those components."

In the end, I think Musk and Elluswamy were blowing a little smoke for investors, trying to keep them excited as the company makes a massive shift away from EVs as the core business and to a future of AI and robotics.

Optimus 3 might be the shiny thing that Musk points to at future events and on future earnings calls, but it will be AI, and the promised Tesla AI chips, that will have the largest impact on their business, if not the world.

And if anyone mistakes Optimus 3 for a person, I'll eat my hat.

• Tesla restarts Dojo 3 after earlier supercomputer projects failed to meet expectations
• AI5 chip performance will reportedly rival Nvidia Hopper while consuming less power
• Future chips, AI6 and AI7, are planned for incremental technical evolution

Tesla has restarted development of its Dojo 3 supercomputer project after shelving or abandoning earlier versions.

Elon Musk confirmed the move on X, linking the restart directly to progress on Tesla’s in-house AI5 chip.

Previous Dojo efforts failed to meet expectations, with Dojo 1 losing relevance quickly against Nvidia systems and Dojo 2 being cancelled before completion.

Tesla reboots Dojo 3 with ambitious in-house AI chips

Dojo 3 is framed as a recovery attempt rather than a clean breakthrough, as Tesla claims the technical foundation is now strong enough to justify reallocating engineers and capital back to the project.

Dojo 3 is expected to be Tesla’s first supercomputer built entirely on internal hardware, without relying on Nvidia components.

Earlier Dojo designs mixed Tesla silicon with external GPU products, limiting differentiation and control, whereas the new approach aligns chip design, system architecture, and software under one roof.

Tesla has openly recruited engineers to scale chip production, signalling ambitions for high-volume manufacturing.

Central to Dojo 3 is Tesla’s plan to release custom AI chips every nine months, although this will probably test the company’s resolve.

In terms of application, the AI4 and AI5 chips are linked to self-driving development and humanoid robotics, and AI6 is tied to Optimus and large-scale data center deployments.

Future iterations, including AI7, are already mapped out, although expectations point to incremental evolution rather than radical redesigns.

Beyond vehicles and robots, the supercomputer could support Tesla’s broader AI tools ecosystem, including training models that compete with established cloud providers.

These claims place Dojo 3 in direct competition with mature AI infrastructure vendors.

According to social commentator Nic Cruz Patane, “Tesla’s chip game is no joke,” noting that AI5’s performance is roughly comparable to Nvidia’s Hopper on a single chip, approaches Blackwell levels when paired, and runs at approximately 250W compared to H100’s 700W or Blackwell’s 1,000W+ at full specification.

Tesla claims its chip designs deliver similar output at lower wattage, but maintaining the planned release cycle will test its discipline and execution consistency.

Its technical promises are ambitious and financially driven, especially given the rising cost of external AI hardware.

Dojo 3 may reduce Tesla’s dependence on third-party silicon, but success will require consistency that earlier projects lacked.

• Tesla is working on adding CarPlay to its vehicles according to new report
• Apple’s infotainment system is popular among buyers
• Tesla has long resisted CarPlay but seems to have changed its mind

Apple’s CarPlay in-car entertainment and navigation system is popular – a survey cited by Apple in 2022 found that 79% of new car buyers considered it when purchasing a vehicle, for example – but there have been some notable holdouts among car manufacturers. Tesla has long been one of those firms, yet in a surprising reversal, a new report claims that it is working to add CarPlay to its electric vehicles.

According to Bloomberg, Tesla “has started testing [CarPlay] capability internally.” This could result in a rollout of the feature “in the coming months,” but “a plan hasn’t been finalized and a release could come later.”

Right now, Tesla uses its own in-car infotainment system, and the company has long resisted adding CarPlay to its fleet of electric cars, despite customer requests. The company’s CEO Elon Musk has frequently feuded with Apple over its App Store policies, its poaching of Tesla engineers for its own shelved electric car project, and other issues.

Lately, things have changed. Bloomberg notes that Apple is a key distributor of Musk’s X app and Grok artificial intelligence (AI) model, while Tesla sales have “softened” recently. The news outlet also claims that some Tesla buyers have cited “the lack of CarPlay support as a reason for not choosing the company’s cars.”

A popular feature

CarPlay is “one of the most highly requested features by customers” and is “considered a must-have option by many drivers,” Bloomberg says, and that claim seems to reflect customer sentiment.

A McKinsey survey in 2024 found that roughly a third of buyers around the world would not consider a car at all if it did not have CarPlay or the rival Android Auto system. That’s a big chunk of potential customers that Tesla is potentially missing out on by shunning CarPlay.

An informal sweep of social media platforms shows many Tesla owners are pleasantly surprised by the news. On Reddit, user hybridfrost stated that having CarPlay would make their navigation experience more seamless and prevent the need to switch to a different mapping app. Reddit user R5Jockey, meanwhile, explained their reason for supporting the move: “Sweet. Hope this actually happens. I’d love to have Waze on the screen.”

Interestingly, it sounds like Tesla’s CarPlay implementation will be somewhat limited. Bloomberg believes that CarPlay will occupy a window within Tesla’s own interface, meaning “the Apple software won’t fully replace the Tesla operating system as it does in many other vehicles.” CarPlay also won’t be able to use features like full self-driving mode, which will still require Tesla’s own navigation app. And Tesla will forego the more advanced version of CarPlay – dubbed CarPlay Ultra – instead opting for the regular edition.

With Tesla’s surprise about-face, one of the main carmakers to resist CarPlay has apparently changed course. That could leave just GM among the large-scale manufacturers to ditch Apple’s system, giving you plenty more choice of vehicles if Apple’s system is a must for you.

• Intel has been reaching out to Apple and TSMC for backing
• Nvidia’s $5 billion investment highlights a pivotal moment in Intel’s turnaround
• Future deals with so-called "Magnificent 7" firms could decide Intel’s recovery path

Intel is on an investment roll at the moment, having secured a deal with the US government in return for a stake in the company, and then most recently, and most importantly, a mega deal with Nvidia.

The GPU giant agreed to invest $5 billion in the American chip maker, which will see Intel design custom x86 chips for it. It proved to be a smart investment for Nvidia which saw its market cap leap $150 billion following the news.

This could be just the beginning for Intel, however, as it courts other investors to find new ways to revive its business.

Hello, is that Apple?

Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest Intel had already approached Apple and TSMC before sealing the Nvidia deal.

Both firms have long histories with Intel, although each now operates in different directions.

Apple abandoned Intel processors in Macs in 2020 in favor of its in-house silicon, while TSMC not only manufactures for Apple but also competes with Intel in the foundry space.

Bloomberg noted Apple had been engaged in conversations with Intel, although the Mac maker’s focus remains firmly on custom silicon built at TSMC.

TSMC was quick to deny the reports, saying it had not spoken to Intel and had no interest in a joint venture.

Analysts believe Apple’s only interest might lie in Intel’s foundry services, especially given political pressure for greater US-based production.

Apple has recently expanded its domestic investment pledge to $600 billion, which could make siding with Intel strategically appealing.

Intel’s efforts come at a critical time. With two consecutive quarters of flat growth following earlier declines, the company is under pressure to secure new partners.

Its market value has slipped to under $160 billion while Nvidia’s has surged past $4 trillion.

Additional investment could provide stability, but hesitation from potential partners could have the opposite effect and harm momentum.

It seems likely that Intel will continue approaching the rest of the so-called Magnificent 7 - Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Tesla - before the year’s end.

While not all may commit, even limited buy-in from Apple or others would send a signal that Intel’s turnaround strategy has backing from powerful industry players.

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• Tesla hacker finds cut-price Model Y secrets in firmware
• If correct, a number of creature comforts will be missing
• Screens, lights and seat controls are due for the cut

According to a well-known Tesla hacker, who goes by the name @greentheonly on X, the upcoming and hotly-tipped more “affordable” Model Y will be lacking a number of creature comfort and technological features.

Having dug through Tesla’s latest firmware, Green posted on X a series of features that are believed to be missing from the cheaper vehicle – codenamed internally “E41”.

Although the discovery is still very much open to interpretation, Green has often proven well ahead of the curve when it comes to uncovering hidden features or updates in code that Tesla is due to rollout.

After trawling through the latest firmware, the notorious hacker states that E41 will come with two audio systems, labelled internally as “essential” and “essential with commodity”, which suggests that some of Tesla’s famously powerful sound systems will be missing.

Similarly, the second row display, which allows rear passengers to binge YouTube and play video games, is also off the menu.

Thirdly, the backup camera will also seemingly lose a heater, which could see it prone to misting up and becoming inoperable in icy conditions, while power-folding mirrors appear to have been relegated to the scrap pile in order to cut costs.

Most of the money-saving efforts occur inside the cabin, where Green claims the panoramic glass roof has been replaced by a “fiberglass headliner”. Although we are unsure how it is possible to tell that from lines of code.

The cabin lighting is rumored to have been slimmed down to just footwell only, exterior puddle lamps have been removed and there are simplified electronic seat controls that only work on a single axis – which could either be forwards or backwards on the main runners, or seat-back angle adjustment. Clarity isn’t offered in the original X post.

Green also alludes to the fact that the suspension might be downgraded and the wheels “simplified” to 18-inch options.

There’s no concrete evidence of changes to the drivetrain, only that the cheapest Model Y could be offered in both all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive configurations, with the potential for less powerful motors to be used.

Analysis: A step in the wrong direction

The recent updates to both the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 ushered in some monumental improvements to interior fit and finish, sound insulation and the quality of materials and components used.

As a result, both of these vehicles now feel like more serious propositions, veering away from the cheap finish and questionable build quality of the early Model S and Model Y. It has always been a criticism of Tesla, but now it feels like it is difficult to accuse the brand of cutting corners.

With the announcement of a more affordable Model Y, as well as a cheaper Model 3 that the company sells in Mexico, it feels like the company its undoing some of this hard work, stripping its cars of the features that customers gravitate towards.

Tesla attempted to do it with the Cybertruck, but found nobody wanted it and subsequently removed the 'entry-level' model from its online configurators after just five months.

While the Model Y isn’t the premium proposition that the Cybertruck wants to be, it remains a volume seller and one that comes with a certain level of customer expectation.

Cutting away features might help the company lower the asking price, but it also opens the door to rivals to offer a similar or better product for less, with the likes of Kia, Hyundai, XPeng, BYD and Leapmotor all duking it out to offer more bang for the buck.

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• The NHTSA opens investigation on Tesla’s electric door handles
• Chinese authorities might ban them altogether
• VW boss says flush door handles are “terrible to operate”

Tesla was arguably the first major automotive brand to introduce electronic door handles back in 2012, when the style-forward mechanism on the Model S remained flush to the body work and then magically popped-out whenever the vehicle is unlocked.

The company even has a page on its website dedicated to how to live with them.

It is a technically neat design feature that has now been copied by multiple automotive brands, including Range Rover, Porsche and myriad Chinese EV brands.

But aside from being horrendously confusing to anyone not au fait with the technology, flush door handles are now under scrutiny by several authorities that are questioning their safety.

Car News China reported that regulators in the country have kick-started the process of investigating fully retractable door handles due to safety concerns, suggesting that there may be an outright ban on new vehicles offering them.

The same website cites China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C-IASI) crash tests that revealed vehicles with electronic door handles achieved only a 67% door pop-out success rate in side collisions.

In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into around 174,000 Tesla Model Y cars from the 2021 Model Year following several complaints from owners that they were unable to unlock the doors after stopping, according to the Financial Times.

There have been cases where occupants have become trapped inside Teslas after the onboard 12V battery has died. Unless the owners are familiar with the emergency release protocol, a number of cases have had to resort to breaking windows.

Tesla has now responded, telling Bloombergthat it's redesigning its door handles to make them more intuitive for people in "a panic situation".

This update will apparently combine the electronic and manual door-release mechanisms into one button, with Tesla design chief Franz von Holzhausen saying "we’ll have a really good solution for that" in response to those potential Chinese regulations, too.

VW boss says no to flush door handles

Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of Volkswagen passenger cars, has gone on record to say flush door handles look nice but are “terrible to operate”.

Speaking at the IAA Mobility show, Schäfer was ramming home the importance of functions being easy for customers to use. “We definitely have proper door handles on the cars and customers appreciate it,” he added.

Aside from offering minuscule improvements in aerodynamic performance, flush door handles are largely a styling or design choice, offering a touch of technological theatre that many customers have been convinced by.

But they are awful to use, often get completely stuck when frozen, with the potential to trap small fingers inside the mechanism.

I took custody of a Porsche Taycan Turbo for a couple of weeks this year and experienced pinched digits on multiple occasions.

Similarly, I also experienced the door handles completely freezing shut on an XPeng G6, having to head indoors for a jug of hot water just to get into the vehicle. I've also been trapped inside an early Tesla Model X, but that's another story.

Granted, this issue isn’t limited to just fully flush door handles, but it is exacerbated by a feature that isn’t entirely necessary.

Now, we could see authorities clamping down on grounds of safety, killing off a major automotive annoyance for good. Hallelujah.

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• Cybertruck engineer claims Tesla has scrapped plans for wireless charging
• The Cybertruck's height has been cited as a reason for the tech not working
• Porsche has announced that it will launch inductive tech next year

Tesla had the rumor mill in full swing last year when a series of events strongly hinted that the company was exploring wireless, inductive charging. But those hopes have now seemingly been dashed.

Eagle-eyed Tesla fans first spotted images that appeared to show a wireless charging plate in a presentation that took place during an investor’s day in 2023.

Tesla chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, then told Jay Leno during the run-up to the Cybertruck launch that the company was working on inductive charging so customers wouldn’t have to physically plug in.

However, another Tesla employee close to Cybertruck says that idea is dead in the water. According to lead engineer Wes Morrill, there is “nothing planned there,” as reported by NotATeslaApp.

The website quotes a Discord chat where Wes put to bed any rumors surrounding Cybertruck's involvement with inductive charging.

"Wireless charging for something as far off the ground as the CT is silly,” he said, going on to explain that to compensate for the truck’s height, a wireless charging base would need to be at least six-inches tall, which clearly isn’t the sleek package Tesla was hoping for.

We’ve reached out to Tesla for clarification, but the company hasn’t released a statement to confirm whether it was ever working on wireless charging in the first place, or if it has cancelled plans to investigate it further.

Last year, the Cybertruck Owner's Club spotted references to release connectors for an Inductive Charger in the vehicle's service manual last year, so the rumors weren't without substance. But it seems the long wait could continue indefinitely.

Porsche leads the wireless charge

Although we are waiting for confirmation from Tesla, the news surrounding wireless charging could be regarded as another blow for Cybertruck.

Marketed as the pinnacle of Tesla technology, it is already considered a failed project by many critics, seeing as it has underperformed on original range claims, has been subject to a number of recalls, has had its much-lauded range extended battery pack scrapped, and has sold far fewer units than original forecast.

Where Tesla has slowed its rate of EV innovation in recent years, other brands have been capitalizing.

Porsche revealed last week that it will offer the world’s first production wireless charging pad on the upcoming Cayenne SUV, allowing for 11kW charging speeds without the unsightly cables.

There’s no word on how expensive it will be, or what the predicted uptake might look like, but it feels like a technological step forward for EVs nonetheless.

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• New Performance version sees the 0-60mph sprint dispatched in 3.3 seconds
• Fresh alloy wheels and sporty design touches feature throughout
• Model Y Performance also boasts an all-new infotainment display

After a not-so subtle spoiler on social media earlier this week, Tesla has revealed a new Model Y Performance trim that will be available in the UK and select European markets, with first deliveries expected in September and October.

Priced at £61,990 UK or €61,990 in Ireland (around $83,500 / AU$128,000), the Model Y Performance delivers potent straight-line, erm, performance, with an official 0-60mph sprint time of just 3.3 seconds.

But rather than simply excelling in the traffic light Olympics, Tesla says the latest addition to the line-up has undergone rigorous validation and tuning, confirming that those spy shots from the Nurburgring were correct.

Thanks to a revised suspension system, including new springs, stabilizer bars, bushings and adaptive dampers, Tesla has been able to introduce a new selection of drive modes, with a dedicated Sport setting stiffening the ride to give the vehicle a more dynamic feel through corners.

Owners will also have more control over stability and traction control settings too, with the option to reduce traction control interventions when hitting the race circuit after the weekly shop.

Alongside the dramatic increase in performance (the powertrain now delivers 460bhp, compared to the 375bhp of the previous dual motor Model Y), Tesla has also introduced 21-inch ‘Arachnid’ forged alloy wheels, performance red brake calipers, a carbon fibre spoiler at the rear and aluminum pedals inside.

This is in addition to the new front and rear fascias that give it a more purposeful overall look — a massive improvement over the Model Y of old, we think you'll agree.

Getting Europe back on track

Seeing as the new Model Y Performance will be assembled at the company’s Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, the UK and Europe will be among the first markets to receive the quickest accelerating Model Y.

It comes at a time when Tesla sales in those regions have started to slide at a rapid rate, with Chinese rivals making a huge and lightning fast impact on the overall market.

The likes of BYD, Zeekr, XPeng, Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor and more have gained the attention of European buyers with excellent value propositions.

Although Tesla’s asking price isn’t exactly on the budget side of the spectrum, it’s still easier on the wallet than, say, a Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron or BMW i5 M60 xDrive, all of which offer similarly brutal acceleration figures.

What’s more, Tesla still offers the everyday practicality that made the Model Y the best selling car on the planet in the first place.

The front seats might have been replaced by more bolstered sports offerings, but they will still be fantastically comfortable over big distances. The official WLTP range is pegged at an impressive 360-miles, with Tesla’s renowned efficiencies remaining baked into the package.

Finally, Tesla says an all-new 16-inch touchscreen with thinner bezels and higher resolution have been added to the Performance model, packing nearly 80% more pixels and a “smoother more immersive” experience than the one found on the 15.4-inch display on other Model Y variants.

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• Tesla's teaser images surface online showing a red spoiler
• Tesla insider believe it signals a new Model Y Performance trim
• Test vehicles have also recently been spied lapping the Nurburgring

Tesla’s Europe and Middle East X account posted a short teaser image yesterday that appears to show the rear of a Tesla vehicle, complete with a small spoiler. The post was also accompanied by the not-so subtle phrase “Spoiler alert”.

Considering multiple news outlets also spied the recently refreshed Model Y lapping Germany’s Nurburgring, complete with a new 21-inch alloy wheels, bucket seats and updates to the front and rear fascias, all hints point towards a new Performance trim level for the Model Y “Juniper”.

Since Tesla’s popular SUV was updated earlier this year, the company stopped selling the range-topping and fastest Performance model, so it makes sense that the silk sheet could be dropped tomorrow.

While some naysayers have bemoaned the fact that this isn’t new product, merely an update, those looking for a spicier and more focussed Model Y have been eagerly awaiting the announcement.

Sales boost

Although it does’t make a lot of sense to bestow a large, practical family SUV with sports car performance, previous generations of the Model Y Performance have sold well. The refreshed styling of the recently-updated model line will also arguably suit some of the sportier aesthetically changes better than they previously have.

Minor tweaks that were spotted on the vehicles caught lapping Germany’s most famous high performance circuit included Performance badging, upgraded brakes and rumors of upgraded suspension.

Tesla will hope that the release of a more premium and performance-orientated trim line will help boost sales, which have been particularly dreadful across Europe of late, with a 40% drop in July compared to the previous year.

We will have to wait for the full reveal to see what Tesla has in store.

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• The Times reports that a lack of storage has led to discounts
• UK customers can lease a Tesla for 40% less than last year
• In the US, Tesla is offering enticing bundles to help boost sales

Tesla has slashed the monthly leasing cost of its vehicles in the UK in a bid to boost sales and clear excess inventory, The Times has reported, with discounts of up to 40% offered to car leasing firms to help shift stock – while the EV giant is also offering new deals in the US to boost sales.

The hefty UK discounts apply to both the recently refreshed Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, with The Times claiming the former can be leased for £252 a month plus tax, or around $410 / AU$630. Rewind a year and the exact same lease could cost between £600 and £700 per month.

Although the £60,000 Model Y hasn’t had its retail price reduced, it has been advertised for around £400 (around $540 / AU$830) per month on some of Tesla’s trusted leasing partner sites.

In the US, the company has attempted to shake up its pricing strategy and position its aging Model S and Model X vehicles as more premium propositions by making a new $10,000 ‘Luxe Package’ standard across the range.

This sees the Model S now starting at $94,990 and the Model X costing an eye-watering $99,990, but the package bundles in high levels of autonomous driving via Full Self-Driving (Supervised), Premium Connectivity and a four-year ‘Premium Service’ that covers routine maintenance costs.

It also sees the return of free Supercharging, which has been dangled as an incentive numerous times over the past few years but no longer lasts the lifetime of the vehicle.

Tesla is losing control of the EV market

According to the most recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Tesla’s sales in the UK dropped by 60% in the UK in July, pushing its overall market share to just 0.7%.

BYD, on the other hand, accounted for 2.3% of all new registrations during the same period, with the Chinese company piling on the pressure in numerous other European markets.

Tesla makes it difficult to work out exactly how well Model S and Model X are doing in the US, with its quarterly delivery reports accounting for Model 3 and Model Y sales, with everything else bundled into an ‘other models’ category that includes the Cybertruck and its Semi.

But it appears overall sales are struggling, with Electrek estimating that the company was down by around 15% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2024.

With BYD increasing its foothold in Europe, and an increasing number of Chinese rivals seemingly springing up monthly, Tesla is facing the toughest competition yet.

It’s not a great time to be a Tesla shareholder, but the big discounts are good news for anyone considering leasing a Tesla.

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• Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer dream ends after leadership changes and mass departures reshape its AI strategy
• The Dojo project looked to revolutionize autonomous driving before internal shifts halted its momentum
• Samsung’s $16.5 billion chip deal with Tesla marks a major turn in AI development

Tesla has shut down its Dojo supercomputer team, in what appears to be a major shift in the company’s artificial intelligence plans.

Reports from Bloomberg claim the decision followed the exit of team leader Peter Bannon and the loss of about 20 other staff members to a newly formed venture called DensityAI.

The remaining team members will now be reassigned to other computing and data center projects within Tesla.

Leadership exit triggers Tesla shake-up

The Dojo system was originally developed around custom training chips designed to process large amounts of driving data and video from Tesla’s electric vehicles.

The aim was to use this information to train the company’s autonomous driving software more efficiently than off-the-shelf systems.

However, CEO Elon Musk said on X it no longer made sense to split resources between two different AI chips.

Tesla has not responded to requests for comment, but Musk has outlined the company’s focus on developing its AI5 and AI6 chips.

He said these would be “excellent for inference and at least pretty good for training” and could be placed in large supercomputer clusters, a configuration he suggested might be called “Dojo 3.”

The company’s shift away from the Dojo project comes amid broader restructuring efforts that have seen multiple executive departures and thousands of job cuts.

Tesla has also been working on integrating AI tools such as the Grok chatbot into its vehicles, expanding its AI ambitions beyond self-driving technology.

Tesla’s plans for future AI computing infrastructure and chip production after Dojo rely heavily on outside technology suppliers, with Nvidia and AMD expected to provide computing capabilities, while Samsung Electronics will manufacture chips for the company.

Samsung recently secured a $16.5 billion deal to supply AI chips to Tesla, which are expected to power autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, and data centers.

Musk has previously said Samsung’s new Texas plant will produce Tesla’s AI6 chip, with AI5 production planned for late 2026.

For now, Musk appears confident that Tesla’s chip roadmap will support its ambitions.

But with the original Dojo team largely gone and reliance on external partners increasing, the company’s AI trajectory will depend on whether its new chips and computing infrastructure can deliver the results Musk has promised.

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• Tesla’s UK energy push comes as car sales slide sharply across Europe’s key markets
• Ofgem’s licensing process may delay Tesla’s UK power launch until late next year
• Elon Musk’s political stances have stirred concerns among Tesla customers in multiple European countries

Tesla has applied to the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, seeking approval to supply electricity directly to households and businesses across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The request, signed by Andrew Payne, head of Tesla’s European energy operations, marks a potential expansion of the company’s activities beyond electric vehicle manufacturing into the competitive British power market.

If approved, operations could begin as early as 2026, but will challenge a number of long-established utility providers.

An entry point into the UK power sector

Tesla’s UK presence already includes over a quarter of a million electric vehicles on the road, alongside tens of thousands of home storage batteries.

These existing customers could form a ready-made base for its electricity services.

The company’s solar energy and battery storage businesses, along with the concept of portable power stations, suggest it may integrate generation, storage, and supply into a single offering.

This could give Tesla an advantage in bundling services, but it would also place it under the same regulatory and operational pressures faced by other energy suppliers.

The move comes at a time when Tesla’s European EV sales have been falling sharply.

In July 2025, UK registrations dropped by nearly 60% compared to the same month last year, with German sales falling by more than 55%, and across ten major European markets, the decline was 45%.

This downturn is partly attributed to intensifying competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturer BYD, which has been rapidly expanding its European footprint with lower-cost alternatives.

Elon Musk’s political positions have also generated discussion about how his profile might affect Tesla’s reception in the UK energy sector.

His prior relationship with US President Donald Trump, now publicly fractured, and his involvement in right-wing political debates in the UK, Germany, and Italy, have drawn criticism from some Tesla customers.

Whether these controversies will influence consumer trust in Tesla as an electricity supplier remains uncertain.

While Tesla is primarily known for its EVs, it already operates a retail electricity business in Texas under the Tesla Energy brand.

There, customers can charge their vehicles at lower rates and even sell surplus electricity back to the grid.

This model, if adapted for the UK, could integrate EV charging with household energy management, potentially appealing to both new and existing customers.

However, Ofgem’s licensing process can take up to nine months, and no details have been disclosed on Tesla’s pricing or operational strategy for the UK market.

Via BBC

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• Tesla signs $16.5 billion chip deal with Samsung for AI6 AI chip production
• New chip will power Tesla robots, self-driving cars, and cloud data centers
• Samsung’s Texas fab will manufacture the Tesla chips, which are described as a flexible platform

Tesla has entered into a $16.5 billion agreement with Samsung to manufacture its upcoming AI6 chip, which will be used in wide range of AI-driven applications.

The deal, which was disclosed in a South Korean regulatory filing and later confirmed by Elon Musk, will run from now until the end of 2033.

As CNBC reports, Samsung initially declined to name the counterparty, citing a confidentiality request, but Musk later outed Tesla as the customer, stating Samsung’s upcoming Texas fabrication plant would focus on building Tesla’s AI6 hardware.

Robots, vehicles and data centers

Musk said Tesla would be involved in streamlining the manufacturing process and that he personally planned to oversee progress at the plant.

The AI6 chip is is designed to power a range of systems, including humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, and AI data centers.

It follows the AI4 chip, currently in use, and AI5, which recently completed design and is planned for production by TSMC using a 3nm process.

At Tesla’s recent Q2 2025 earnings call, the company noted, without giving a reason, that the AI5 hardware would be delayed by a full year, with production now expected at the end of 2026.

Tesla described the AI6 chip as a flexible platform that could scale down for robotic applications and up for large-scale inference workloads.

The company also claimed it could improve inference performance on current hardware by nearly 10x. AS CNBC noted, this comes amid speculation that Tesla may be reaching the limits of its current AI4 architecture.

Former Tesla chip architect Jim Keller, also known for his work on chips at Apple, AMD, and Intel, has previously stated that Tesla would likely need a 5 to 10x performance jump over AI4 to achieve full self-driving capabilities.

Samsung’s involvement in the AI6 marks a strategic win for its foundry business, which is currently behind TSMC in market share.

The company is investing heavily in 2nm production to secure future AI chip orders.

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You’ve probably heard the news: the EV market isn’t growing as fast as it used to, at least here in the US. Teslas are, in some people's eyes, toxic, EV prices are still too high, tariffs are fueling economic uncertainty, and EV incentives are going away. Charging infrastructure seems to be the only area where the EV market is making progress, thanks in part to Supercharger competition and the adoption of NACS (the North American Charging Standard).

On the surface, low resale values are also a major obstacle to EV adoption. But in reality, low resale values are making used EVs far more affordable, and teaching consumers that – just like smartphones – EVs are better leased than owned. EV tech is moving too fast for ownership to make any sense, at least today. But it’s the way EVs can be quickly updated – both in hardware and software – that’s redefining the car ownership experience.

Updates are different with EVs

One significant development that is making EVs stand out from ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) and hybrid vehicles – and is a win for consumers – is how updates are handled. Traditionally, vehicle model cycles are seven to eight years long, with a refresh (or facelift) every three to four years. These updates primarily consist of exterior and interior (cosmetic) tweaks and small mechanical changes.

Things are different with EVs, which are much simpler in terms of hardware, and rely more on software. EV tech like batteries, motors, and computers – from powertrain, to infotainment, to ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) – is evolving at a rapid pace. To stay competitive, EV manufacturers are incentivised to make hardware changes multiple times per year instead of relying on mid-cycle updates every three to four years.

In addition, EV software can be updated OTA (Over The Air) either in part, for models from traditional manufacturers, or fully, for EVs from startups like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid, as well as Chinese-owned brands (like Volvo and Polestar). While OTA updates are also possible with ICE and hybrid vehicles, they are usually limited to infotainment and perhaps ADAS, leaving powertrain updates in the hands of dealers.

Any software update that can’t be handled OTA requires a visit to a dealer’s service center, resulting in friction for consumers. Fully SDV (Software Defined Vehicles) are changing the ownership experience by enabling OTA updates for all the software in a vehicle, down to the smallest ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or module. This allows manufacturers to fix bugs and issue recalls, but also add new features, improving EVs over time.

Here are some examples of refreshed EVs:

Tesla

Tesla’s current model lineup is a textbook example of how updates are different with EVs. Not only does Tesla offer excellent software, but it pushes monthly OTA updates to its entire fleet of vehicles that fix bugs and add new features. As a (twice) former Model 3 owner, I have experienced this firsthand, and it’s truly exciting to see your car improve and gain new functionality over time, especially since these software updates are free.

As for hardware updates, looks are deceiving. Tesla’s vehicles don’t appear to be changing much, at least visually. Take the Model 3, for example. It received its first significant refresh – the Highland refresh – back in September 2023. As I wrote then:

“[...] the Model 3 is no spring chicken. Other than a few minor cosmetic tweaks, it’s pretty much the same car – at least visually – as it was when it launched in 2017. See, unlike other car manufacturers, Tesla doesn’t follow a “model year” update schedule. The company makes changes to its cars when it sees fit.”

This means that two Model 3s manufactured just a few weeks apart might look identical inside and out, but have different hardware under the skin. In fact, the Model 3 has received numerous improvements since 2017, including a heat pump, upgraded battery packs, Qi wireless charging, matrix headlights, a power trunk, faster computers, better cameras, ventilated seats, a rear display, and a revised suspension.

Controversially, the Model 3 has also lost some features over the years, like the front radar, ultrasonic parking sensors (dumb idea), and steering wheel stalks (with the Highland refresh, also dumb). The Model Y follows the same update strategy and received its first major refresh – the Juniper refresh – in January this year. Similarly, Model S and Model X have also benefited from numerous updates over the years, despite being essentially the same vehicles.

Rivian

Alongside Tesla, Rivian is the only other manufacturer of EVs that delivers a great software experience and pushes monthly OTA updates to its entire fleet of vehicles to fix bugs and add new features. The company’s R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV are now on their second generation, having received a significant refresh back in June 2024. While cosmetic tweaks were minor, Rivian made numerous hardware changes under the skin.

The second-generation R1S and R1T benefit from improved build quality, reduced noise levels, better ride quality, upgraded battery packs, faster computers, and better cameras. More importantly, Rivian switched from a domain to a zonal electrical architecture, reducing the number of ECUs from 17 in the first generation to just seven. Not only did this save 1.6mi and 44lbs of wiring, it made these SDVs easier to update OTA and more future-proof.

In January 2025, I went EV camping in Joshua Tree National Park and got to experience the second-generation R1S firsthand, and there’s no doubt that this refresh takes an already impressive EV and makes it even better.

Hyundai Motor Group

Cars built on Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) are some of my favorite EVs. They include the Genesis GV60, Kia EV6 and EV9, and Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and IONIQ 9 – to name those currently available in the US. What makes these EVs stand out is their 800V architecture, ability to charge at up to 250kW (10-80% in 18 minutes), unique design, solid range, and feature-rich but easy-to-use software.

For the 2025 model year, the EV6 and IONIQ 5 have been refreshed with both cosmetic updates and hardware changes. These include improved efficiency and range thanks to upgraded batteries and motors, a NACS charging port (US only), a better infotainment system with faster computers and larger screens (IONIQ 5), more advanced level 2+ ADAS, plus quality-of-life updates like a rear wiper (IONIQ 5), and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

I recently drove the 2025 IONIQ 5 from Vancouver (Canada) to Seattle and back, and was really impressed with this refresh – especially the range improvements. While I’m quite familiar with the IONIQ 5, the 2025 model feels like a new EV, despite looking almost identical.

Ford

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E might have a controversial name, but it’s another one of my favorite EVs – especially in GT trim. It looks really nice, drives extremely well, offers good range, and features decent tech. BlueCruise (Ford’s hands-free level 2+ ADAS) stands out in particular, and overall, the Mach-E delivers a pleasant software experience. For the 2025 model year, the Mach-E received a refresh with meaningful hardware updates.

While it’s mostly unchanged cosmetically, the Mach-E now benefits from a heat pump for better efficiency, more advanced hands-free level 2+ ADAS with automatic lane change (BlueCruise 1.5), an improved infotainment system with 5G connectivity, plus quality-of-life refinements like a column-mounted shifter and ventilated seats. As a bonus, it’s also more affordable. I haven’t driven the 2025 Mach-E yet, but this update seems like a win.

Refreshed EVs the best EVs

As you can see, when it comes to hardware and software updates, EVs don’t play by the same rules as hybrid and ICE vehicles. Instead of getting interior and exterior (cosmetic) tweaks and small mechanical changes every three to four years, EVs are continuously evolving, and receiving significant hardware updates under the skin – not to mention more frequent OTA software updates. And that’s why refreshed EVs are the best EVs.

So remember, shopping for an EV is a lot like shopping for a smartphone. If you’re in the market for an EV, lease instead of buying, and get the newest model you can afford, so you have the latest hardware. Don’t be tempted by deals on older EVs – while it’s easy to get OTA software updates, it’s almost impossible to get hardware updates.

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• Major software update introduces AI assistant into some vehicles
• It is only available on models with AMD Ryzen hardware
• Grok is currently limited in its abilities

Tesla announced a major software update at the tail end of last week (2025.26, in case you were interested), which brings with it a host of new lighting, audio and dash cam improvements. However, perhaps most notable is the introduction of Grok.

The brainchild of Elon Musk’s xAI company, Grok is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot that can answer questions and hold conversations, Famously, it features an “Unhinged” mode that typically answers in a very sweary, non-PC fashion.

Now, the AI assistant has been introduced to some Tesla vehicles, although they are limited to US models with the Premium Connectivity package and running on AMD Ryzen hardware, with most of these manufactured from mid-2021 onwards.

At the moment, the software is able to connect to the web and answer generic questions from the driver or passenger, rather than take care of key car functionality, which would be, you know, pretty useful. The old Voice Command system can still do this, though.

Tesla posted a demonstration video on social media site X, which shows Grok going into an awkward amount of detail about what it would do if it took one of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots on a date. You can watch that below if you are a fan of childish humor.

The introduction of Grok to Tesla’s vehicles follows a temporary shutting down of the service after it was widely reported that it made a slew of antisemitic and Adolf Hitler-praising comments earlier this week on X.

As a result, xAI took to the social media site to issue an apology, stating that its behavior was the result of an “update to a code path upstream of the grok bot”.

More useful features ahoy

Alongside Grok, Tesla bundled in some very useful additional features in the recent update, including the ability to create presets for audio settings, allowing the user to achieve the perfect graphic equalizer for various genres of music and easily swap between them.

Ambient lighting can also be tweaked so it glows various hues in time to music, as well as match the color of the album artwork for a Philips Ambilight-esque experience in the car.

Finally, some improvements to the Supercharger menus have also been introduced that see more information added to the charging site description.

This now includes information on whether the Supercharger site requires paid parking, valet or an access code, as well as details floor number if said charging outlet is in a multi-story garage.

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Want to catch up on the biggest tech news stories you might have missed from the past seven days?

You're in luck, as we've rounded up the biggest events from Tesla launching its robotaxis (in a way) in Austin to reports of PS5s failing as an old debunked issue resurfaces.

Once you're up to speed on all that, be sure to check out the 7 new movies and TV shows to stream this weekend (June 27).

8. We hosted Smart Home week

Ever wanted to get started with smart lighting, set up a home security system, or automate everyday chores? This week, we've brought you a heap of expert advice and tutorials to help you get started with smart home tech. Whether you're getting connected for the first time or want to get more out of the devices you already have, we're here to help.

Smart home tech is all about making your life easier, so we’ll show you the devices that will do the most for you and show you how to connect them all together in a seamless system. It’s a lot simpler and more affordable than you might expect, and you’ll be amazed at just how much it can do for you!

• Read more: Welcome to TechRadar's Smart Home Week

7. Windows 10 fans got a new lifeline

Microsoft is officially cutting the cord on Windows 10 on October 14, but this week it threw a buoy to anyone who needs a bit more time to switch to Windows 11.

The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program brings important security patches to Windows 10 for a year after official support ends. And there’s now a new wizard to help you get your PC enrolled – it’ll be available in the Windows Insider Program in July, before rolling out more widely in August.

The wizard can’t, unfortunately, wave its wand to make Windows 11 go away, but it will help you kick that can down the road for another year if you aren’t quite ready to make the leap.

• Read more: Windows 10 users who don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11 get new lifeline from Microsoft

6. Cambridge Audio made us even crazier about music

Until now, Cambridge Audio’s wireless earbuds have been ‘pretty good’, but in a market so chock full of plucky contenders, ‘pretty good’ is usually not good enough. And so the company is back with a very concerted effort, in the shape of the new Melomania A100.

Look, it’s not every week that such a gifted set of earbuds arrives. Here is a product priced to compete squarely in the mainstream, but with so few apparent compromises – yes, they sound great; yes, the ANC is very effective – it makes the price tag seem unfathomable.

In every respect (build quality, specification and, especially, performance) these earbuds outperform their asking price by a wide margin. Highly recommended.

• Read more: I tested Cambridge Audio's all-new Melomania A100 earbuds

5. Multiple users reported PS5 failures

Panic stations, folks; reports of PS5 failures due to liquid metal leaking issues are resurfacing, despite previously being debunked. This comes from the founder of indie developer Alderon Games, who claims that developers and multiple players reported constant abrupt shutdowns while playing its Rise of Titans game.

It’s perhaps the worst possible time for issues to occur, as arguably the most anticipated game of all time, GTA 6, is almost upon us; therefore, it’s advised to place consoles horizontally to avoid any potential complications.

• Read more: I sure hope my PS5 doesn't die before GTA 6 - reports suggest hardware issues could damage consoles over time

4. Bond found its next movie director

The first James Bond movie of the Amazon MGM Studios era is starting to take shape with a new director set to take over the reins that you might have heard of: Denis Villeneuve.

Known for big blockbusters like Dune, Arrival, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049, the filmmaker has been trusted with taking over established franchises before, and so understands that the Bond movies are “sacred territory”.

A self-proclaimed “die-hard Bond fan”, the announcement of Villeneuve’s appointment has been largely welcomed by fans, with many taking to social media to say how excited they are. Although some have raised concerns that Villeneuve’s other upcoming projects, like Dune ,3 might mean there’ll be a longer wait.

• Read more: ‘I can’t believe I’m excited for a Bond movie again’: Amazon’s bold new direction for 007 has fans talking

3. Tesla’s self-driving robotaxis hit the road

After quite the wait, the Tesla robotaxi service has ‘launched’ in Austin, Texas, so now you can be ferried around in a Tesla vehicle with no human driver behind the wheel.

However, it’s a very limited thing. Not only does it only cover a very specific part of Austin – a region that's been thoroughly mapped by Tesla's software – but you also have to receive an invite to even try the service.

You won’t be alone on your ride for now either, as each robo taxi comes with its own robo taxi employee who can shut the car down if it gets into trouble, which bodes well for how Tesla thinks this test will go.

• Read more: Tesla has launched its robotaxi service for a handful of super-fans

2. Chromecast with Google TV finally got its update

The Android 14 update, which we first reported that Chromecasts would be getting back in March, is at last available for everyone.

Some people did initially manage to start installing the update, so this new rollout is for two versions – a smaller package for anyone who downloaded the initial Android 14 update before it was pulled, and a larger one for anyone who didn't and whose device is still running Android 12.

According to Google, the update should lead to "a snappier, more responsive TV experience".

• Read more: Chromecast with Google TV's long Android 14 nightmare is over

1. Samsung set the date for Galaxy Unpacked

After numerous hints from Samsung and many rumors about the next Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, and Galaxy Watches, you can now officially mark your calendars for July 9, 2025.

The Galaxy Unpacked festivities will kick off at 10am ET / 7am PT / 3pm BST on July 9, 2025, and the event will be live-streamed. TechRadar will be on the scene in Brooklyn, New York, reporting live, so we’ll be breaking down err... Unpacking everything that Samsung unveils.

The teaser says 'Ultra Unfolds' suggesting we might also see the rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Ultra.

• Read more: Is the Galaxy Z Fold ready to go Ultra?

• Online videos of Tesla's new robotaxis prompt investigation
• Footage shows the cars speeding and ghost braking
• Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and Autopilot mode also under scrutiny

Tesla’s rollout of its Robotaxi service at the weekend was hailed as a success by the company, which saw around 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles autonomously cover a geo-fenced route around Austin, Texas, complete with a selection of “pro-Tesla” content creators onboard.

Early social media posts revealed that the experience largely ran like clockwork, despite the required app release being delayed. The lack of software verification also meant the onboard safety driver (who was instructed to remain mute) had to manually check IDs.

But as the day progressed, a number of videos emerged online of Tesla’s Robotaxis behaving erratically, including veering into there wrong lane, traveling at several miles per hour above the speed limit and, in one instance, slamming on the brakes for a group of police cars that were parked well off the road.

“National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHSTA) is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information,” the agency said in a statement, as reported by The Guardian.

However, the safety agency was quick to point out in its statement that the NHTSA does not pre-approve new technology, but instead requires manufacturers to ensure vehicles meet agency standards.

It will subsequently investigate and report on anything that falls foul of its guidelines.

The most recent preliminary enquiry joins an open investigation that the NHTSA is already working on concerning the manufacturer’s Full Self-Driving mode in its passenger vehicles.

This separate case is looking into the system’s ability to operate safely in low visibility situations, following a number of high-profile crashes.

Analysis: it's too soon for camera-only autonomous systems

Elon Musk has famously preached about the benefits of his camera-only autonomous driving system, which eschews the plethora of sensors, radars and Lidar that are currently in used by every other key rival, including the likes of Waymo, Hyundai (in its Ioniq 5 robotaxi) and Nissan.

The overarching benefit is a cost saving to the manufacturer, as well as a reduction of weight and unsightly bulk that can be seen perched atop of the Waymo cabs currently in operation.

But those systems are used for a reason, predominantly to be able to paint a more detailed picture of the surroundings when current camera technology and AI simply can’t.

The argument currently leveled at Tesla Vision is that a camera-only approach might be suitable in the future, but the technology isn't ready yet.

Unfortunately, the Californian company is also famously closed about sharing its Full Self-Driving data, with Electrek reporting that Tesla has asked the NHSTA to ensure any answers it has provided related to current investigations remain confidential.

The marque also only releases very limited data related to both its Full Self-Driving and Autopilot systems, offering cumulative mileage and the number of disengagements (where the system requires a human to take over).

Waymo and fellow ADAS rivals, on the other hand, offer much more detailed information, as per the NHSTA’s guidelines, which helps build public trust in the technology – something even Elon Musk agrees with.

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• AI energy demands could be lowered by large single-wafer chips
• Researchers say these can overcome the limitations faced by GPUs
• Cerebras and Tesla already use these huge chips, with special cooling systems to manage heat

Engineers at the University of California Riverside are exploring a new approach to artificial intelligence hardware that could tackle both performance and sustainability.

In a peer-reviewed paper, published in the journal Device, the team investigated the potential of wafer-scale accelerators - giant computer chips that operate on entire silicon wafers rather than the small chips used in today’s GPUs.

“Wafer-scale technology represents a major leap forward,” said Mihri Ozkan, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UCR and lead author of the paper. “It enables AI models with trillions of parameters to run faster and more efficiently than traditional systems.”

Like monorails

These chips, like Cerebras’ Wafer-Scale Engine 3 (WSE-3), which we’ve covered previously, contain up to 4 trillion transistors and 900,000 AI-focused cores on a single unit. Another wafer-scale processor, Tesla’s Dojo D1, houses 1.25 trillion transistors and close to 9,000 cores per module.

The processors remove the delays and energy losses common in systems where data travels between multiple chips.

“By keeping everything on one wafer, you avoid the delays and power losses from chip-to-chip communication,” Ozkan said.

Traditional GPUs are still important due to their lower cost and modularity, but as AI models grow in size and complexity, the chips begin to encounter performance and energy barriers.

“AI computing isn’t just about speed anymore,” Ozkan explained. “It’s about designing systems that can move massive amounts of data without overheating or consuming excessive electricity.”

Wafer-scale systems have important environmental benefits too. Cerebras’ WSE-3, for example, can perform up to 125 quadrillion operations per second, while using far less energy than GPU setups.

“Think of GPUs as busy highways - effective, but traffic jams waste energy,” Ozkan said. “Wafer-scale engines are more like monorails: direct, efficient, and less polluting.”

One major challenge still remains however - the age-old issue of heat. Wafer-scale chips can consume up to 10,000 watts of power, nearly all of which turns into heat, requiring advanced cooling systems to prevent overheating and maintain performance.

Cerebras uses a glycol-based cooling loop built into the chip, while Tesla has a liquid system that spreads coolant evenly over the chip’s surface.

Via Tech Xplore

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• Tesla unveiled its “public-facing” Robotaxi service this weekend
• The service is currently an invite-only affair
• Reports suggest it is still behind Waymo and other rivals

In a surprising turn of events, Tesla has stuck to its recent timelines and actually kick-started a “public-facing” autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas this weekend.

Despite Texas lawmakers asking Musk to postpone proceedings until it had finalized and introduced new laws surrounding fully autonomous taxis, the controversial CEO has ploughed ahead anyway.

As a result, reports are surfacing on various social media networks that show the first few VIP invitees enjoying their debut Robotaxi experience.

However, this is a far cry from the futuristic Cybercab scenario that Tesla showcased at its Hollywood-spec 'We, Robot' event in October of last year, where bespoke Cybercabs ferried folks around a film set and the company’s Optimus humanoid robots served drinks to party-goers, only for the world to find out they were actually tele-operated.

It is a similar story with Tesla's recent robotaxi endeavor, as the “fleet” of 10-20 Model Y vehicles (sporting some Robotaxi branding) are strictly limited to a small and relatively uncomplicated area of Austin, Texas.

They also only operate between 6am and 12am and have a remote operator in the passenger seat to manually verify riders' ID and take control should a problem arise.

The Verge reported that some of Tesla’s driverless vehicles are also followed by 'chase' vehicles, presumably packed with engineers ready to jump in should there be an issue that both the in-car and remote operators can’t handle.

So far, only a select number of invites have gone out to predominantly “pro-Tesla” influencers, according to The Verge, with the initial invite list of test pilots reading like a who’s-who of the Musk sycophant contingent – renowned Tesla stock hype-man Sawyer Merritt being among those names.

Just like the 'We, Robot' event, this initial launch phase feels very much like a massive PR stunt, with the company essentially inviting the “general public” (read Tesla content creators) along for a ride during the very early testing phase, rather than during the widespread deployment of a legitimate, paid-for service.

Why Waymo is way ahead

It’s impossible to talk about Tesla’s robotaxi service without mentioning its closest competitor Waymo, particularly when Musk reportedly said after this successful initial launch phase that there could up to a thousand robotaxis on the road in a few months.

As a reminder, Waymo currently has a fully operational fleet of 1,500 vehicles on the road in four major cities in the US, with the areas in which it operates constantly expanding inside those cities. Anyone can summon a driverless cab with a simple app interface and they won't see a human inside the vehicle.

By the end of 2026, it hopes to have added another 2,000 vehicles according to a blog post by the Alphabet-owned company released in May this year, as it continues to ready a fleet of Jaguar i-Pace cars for autonomous driving.

Waymo also announced that it will be the first major client of Hyundai’s mass-produced Ioniq 5 robotaxi, which will help it scale even faster.

To think Musk will be able to reach this stage a couple of months after what is basically an initial testing phase is pure fantasy, especially as he insists on using a camera-only Full Self-Driving system that lacks the radars, Lidar and myriad other sensors that its rivals say is mandatory for a reliable and safe service.

Scaling up is the true test

Already, a number of videos have already surfaced on Reddit that appear to show Tesla Robotaxis behaving erratically, swerving at busy intersections and slamming on the brakes for parked police cars that aren’t even stopped in the road.

Granted, it’s impossible to verify the authenticity of a Reddit video, but there is a growing list of very public cases where Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system has been active during an accident.

The first few reviews of the experience seem largely positive, with most riders describing the drive as “smooth” or “human-like”, but these are still very early days.

Things will get far more complicated if and when Tesla legitimately has thousands of vehicles on the road, it removes the operator sat in the passenger seat, and it builds out its app so the general public can genuinely use it. I predict that being at least two years away.

Alongside Waymo, there are companies in China that are also racing ahead with active fully autonomous ride-hailing services. Baidu, WeRide and Pony.ai are already racking up hundreds and thousands of miles.

Just last year, Baidu reportedly sparked anxiety among taxi drivers, automotive brands and the working public after it launched a driverless service in Wuhan that offered rides of around six miles (much further than the reported four or so miles Tesla can currently travel) for around 50 cents.

It undercut journeys with a human driver at the wheel by around two bucks and naturally proved very popular, according to CNN, leading to panic that many jobs could soon to be at risk.

Once the legal framework is in place for the widespread rollout of autonomous vehicles, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to think that the Chinese could swoop in and dominate the market... just like they have done with EVs.

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• Tesla's Robotaxis are up and running in Texas, Austin
• Most online reactions have been positive so far
• You can only get rides with special invites for now

It's been quite a wait, but the Tesla robotaxi service has now launched in limited form, ferrying its first passengers around Austin, Texas with fully automated self-driving technology and no human cab drivers.

The news was announced across various social media channels, including @Tesla_AI, and follows years of testing and teases from Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk. However, it's a very limited launch for now: you need to be invited to try out the service, and it only covers a specific part of Austin, a region that's been thoroughly mapped by Tesla's software.

While there's no human driver, each robotaxi comes with a Tesla employee sitting in the passenger seat, ready to shut down the car if it gets into trouble.

Rides are charged at a flat fee of $4.20 (around £3.15 / AU$6.60), with everything handled through the Tesla app. Musk has said the service will expand to other cities and reach the milestone of 1,000 vehicles in the coming months. So while it's good to see the service launch, I'll be shelving my Knightrider dreams for a little while yet.

There's also a brand new robotaxi page on the Tesla website, giving details of the service. Tesla is betting big on the robotaxi service as a future revenue stream, and there have even been hints that Tesla owners will eventually be able to rent out their cars as robotaxis, earning money while they're not otherwise being used.

For now though, the service is a long way behind Waymo, which launched in San Francisco three years ago, and also operates in Austin, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Waymo cabs don't have a member of staff present in the car, but the vehicles are all monitored remotely in case of any issues.

Positive reactions – and some issues

Most of the robotaxi reactions arriving on social media have been very positive: the service apparently works very well, both during the day and at night, with a smooth passenger experience that reportedly beats what Waymo is offering.

However, it's worth noting that most people who've been invited to use the robotaxi rides are Tesla owners, supporters, and investors. Check back through the social media accounts of people posting positively about their robotaxi rides, and you'll see there's plenty of pro-Tesla sentiment.

That's not a reason to dismiss these reactions, but it's important context. One of the clips circulating shows a robotaxi trying to swerve into the wrong lane, which it's prevented from doing. A clip posted to Reddit, meanwhile, shows issues with unnecessary braking, though it seems the robotaxi guardrails are working.

There are now plenty of extended videos showing rides being taken in the robotaxis, with no obvious problems or issues. For the time being, rides can be hailed between the hours of 6am and midnight, and the Tesla app takes care of syncing data such as music playlists from passenger phones to the vehicles.

If you want to read more positivity around the Tesla robotaxi, head to Elon Musk's feed on X – you'll see phrases such as "smooth as butter" and even "the beginning of post-driving civilization". There are a lot of technological and regulatory hurdles to overcome as Tesla's robotaxi service grows, but it is now at least operational.

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Last year, I wrote about the five must-have features to future-proof your first or next EV purchase, and finally, there’s an EV starting to roll out in the US that comes close to meeting the majority of my requirements. It’s not made by Tesla, Rivian, or Lucid, and – best of all – it’s reasonably affordable and doesn’t skimp on performance or driving dynamics, two additional selling points that really matter to me.

To recap, here are the five things I’m looking for:

• A real-world range of more than 275 miles
• Supercharger access and charging rates above 200kW
• A software defined vehicle
• Level 2+ ADAS
• Direct-to-consumer sales

Behold, the Volvo EX30, a compact all-electric SUV which starts at $46,195, delivers up to 253 miles of range, and sprints to 60mph in just 3.4 seconds. If this Volvo sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve covered it on TechRadar already, but from a European and Australian perspective. Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that I picked the EX30 not once, but twice, as one of my most anticipated upcoming EVs, both for 2024 and for 2025.

A slow roll(out)

So why did it take so long for the EX30 to make it to our shores? After all, the car was launched in Europe back in December 2023. The delay was caused by tariffs imposed by the US government on vehicles made in China. See, Volvo is owned by Geely, the Chinese auto manufacturer that’s also parent to Zeekr, Polestar, and Lotus, which, alongside BYD and Neo, makes some of the most compelling EVs in the world today.

Because the EX30 was being manufactured in China, Volvo had to delay the launch in North America by over a year and move some of the EX30's production to Belgium. Even after the EX30 started appearing in US showrooms earlier this year, it was difficult to come by, both for customers and for the media. Thankfully, Volvo Canada let me borrow a press car in Vancouver, BC, for a week, so I can share my experience with the EX30.

After all, here in North America, we have different tastes, roads, expectations, and travel distances to deal with than our European and Australian counterparts. I drove the EX30 around town and to Seattle and back, about 300 miles round trip.

Exterior and interior

Obviously, this is subjective, but I think the EX30 is very attractive for a compact SUV. Volvo’s Scandinavian design chops are on full display here, from the overall proportions to the clean lines. The EX30’s exterior looks refined and polished from every angle, and includes most of Volvo’s familiar design elements, including the Thor’s hammer headlights, clamshell hood, blocky door handles, black roofline, and signature two-piece tail lights.

This isn’t a big car (166.7 inches long, 104.3-inch wheelbase), but since it’s an EV, you get a flat floor and plenty of space inside (41.9/32.3 inches of legroom front/rear, 27.8/12.4 cu. ft. of cargo space with the rear seats down/up). I was able to throw two mountain bikes in the back (with their front wheels removed) after folding the rear seats down, with room to spare. There’s even a frunk (front trunk), though it’s disappointingly small (0.2 cu. ft.).

Volvo’s Swedish design prowess continues inside. The EX30’s interior is minimalist without being bland, clean without being sterile. And unlike Tesla, Volvo’s minimalist approach doesn’t sacrifice material and build quality – yes, we’re looking at you, pre-facelift Model 3 and Model Y. While the EX30 follows in Tesla’s footsteps by having a single, center-mounted touchscreen, Volvo still includes turn signal and gear selection stalks.

As a former (twice) Model 3 owner, I’m used to not having an instrument display, and it doesn’t bother me. Most drivers adapt quickly, and if this helps Volvo keep the EX30 affordable, I’m totally on board. Same with the lack of physical controls, centrally mounted glove box (clever!), and the excellent-sounding Harman-Kardon sound bar mounted below the windshield, which replaces multiple individual speakers throughout the car.

The EX30’s only interior faux pas is that instead of having four individual window switches for the driver like most vehicles, it only features two window switches alongside a single button to toggle between the front and rear windows. It’s something that also plagues the Volvo EX90, Polestar 3, Volkswagen ID.4, and VW ID.Buzz. Let’s hope this doesn’t become a trend, because it’s extremely annoying and rather unnecessary.

Score: 8/10

Real world range

Does the EX30 meet my first requirement – a real-world range of more than 275 miles? Not quite. The EPA range of 253 miles – about 210 miles in practice – is fine but not spectacular. On my drive between Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, I had to charge (20 to 80%) once each way. Then again, the 64kWh battery is smaller than many other EVs offering this kind of range, making the EX30 reasonably light (4,151 lbs) for an all-electric SUV.

Score: 6/10

Charging speeds

The next must-have feature on my list is Supercharger access and charging rates above 200kW. While the EX30 supports Tesla’s charging network with a NACS to CCS adapter, it peaks at about 153kW, which is decent, but not great. My two aforementioned Supercharger charging sessions (20-80%) took approximately 40 minutes each – despite preconditioning the battery – which is on the slow side for a modern EV.

Score: 6/10

Software and tech

The EX30 is a fully software defined vehicle (SDV), so it meets my third requirement. Very few EVs available in the US today are full SDVs. Only Tesla and Rivian’s vehicles really fit the bill. Most Chinese EVs are also SDVs, and since Volvo is owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely (alongside Polestar), the EX30 is a proper SDV. What this basically means is that all of the car’s software can be updated over the air (OTA).

SDVs are designed from the ground up around the software experience, with fewer, more powerful computers controlling different areas (or zones) in the vehicle. This means that SDVs can gain new features and receive bug fixes on a regular basis without customers having to visit a service center. As such, the EX30 is one of the few EVs I’ve driven (alongside Rivian’s gen 2 vehicles) that replicates Tesla’s superb user experience.

The EX30’s infotainment system is similar to what’s available in the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3, but with a smaller display. It consists of a Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit-powered system with a 12.3-inch center-mounted portrait touchscreen running Android Automotive with Google built-in. The resulting infotainment experience is clean, simple, responsive, and super intuitive. In other words, the EX30’s software is a real pleasure to use.

Besides offering Google Assistant, Google Maps for route planning, YouTube, and the Google Play Store, the EX30 includes wired and wireless Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto), 5G connectivity (free for four years), four USB Type-C charging ports, Qi wireless phone charging, phone-as-a-key functionality, phone remote control via Volvo’s EX30 app, plus optional extras like a 360-degree view, Level 2+ ADAS, and self-parking.

While my experience with the EX30 was mostly positive, I ran into several bugs, and judging from various online forums, I’m not alone. For example, my press car struggled to keep a steady temperature inside the cabin, despite the climate being set to auto. So, at any given time, it was either slightly too warm or too cold inside. Also, I was unable to test Volvo’s EX30 phone app because I couldn’t add the vehicle to my account.

Score: 8/10

ADAS and driving

My next must-have feature is Level 2+ ADAS (advanced driver assistance system). This enables basic “self-driving” on highways and freeways as long as you keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Volvo calls it Pilot Assist, and while it’s not available on the EX30’s base “Plus” trim, it’s standard on my press car’s “Ultra” trim ($47,895) – alongside the 360-degree view, self-parking, and rear auto-brake features.

Pilot Assist works well and supports automatic lane changes, making this system Level 2+. As for the rest of the driving experience, the EX30 is fast (422 hp, 0-60 mph in 3.4s) and fun to drive. The ride is quiet and comfortable but just firm enough to feel sporty, and the handling is sharp, with strong body control. As with most modern vehicles, the steering doesn’t provide much feedback, but it’s quick enough to be engaging.

The EX30 does a good job blending regenerative and friction braking, but one-pedal driving could benefit from stronger regen when lifting off the accelerator. Also, there’s currently a bug where charging the EX30 to 100% disables one-pedal driving (even if it's enabled in the settings) until you soft reset the car. Thankfully, like the other bugs I previously mentioned, this could easily be fixed with an OTA software update.

Something else that could use some tuning is shifting gears between drive and reverse. Most EVs let you change gears even if the vehicle is still rolling a little, since going backwards is achieved by just spinning the electric motor in the other direction. But with the EX30, you must come to a complete stop before you can switch gears between D and R. This slows down parking maneuvers, and can even be dangerous.

As you’d expect from a Volvo, the EX30 packs a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features, including driver alertness monitoring, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, front and rear cross-traffic assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more… Most of these are pretty standard fare on modern cars these days, but still worth mentioning.

Score: 8/10

Purchase options

Unfortunately, the EX30 does not meet my fifth requirement – direct-to-consumer sales. Volvo uses a traditional dealer network to sell its vehicles, with all the drawbacks that entails. On the plus side, it looks like most Volvo dealers in the US don’t markup their cars. In Canada, Volvo’s One Price Promise for EVs guarantees “a straightforward and transparent shopping experience that's negotiation-free, both online and in-store”.

Score: 4/10

My takeaway

Without a doubt, the Volvo EX30 is a fantastic EV. I love the clean exterior and minimalistic interior design, plus it’s small and light (for an all-electric SUV) yet doesn’t feel cramped. The EX30’s software and tech package comes closer to matching the experience delivered by my former Model 3 than any other EV I’ve driven yet. Volvo’s Level 2+ ADAS is competitive, and the EX30 doesn’t compromise on performance or driving pleasure.

Regardless, there’s still room for improvement. The 253-mile EPA range and 153kW charging rate are middling at best, and Volvo doesn’t sell direct-to-consumer, which is unfortunate. I’m a tech-savvy early adopter, and I don’t mind being the occasional beta tester, but the EX30 suffers from more bugs than I’m comfortable with. And while these issues can be fixed with OTA software updates, they don’t make for a great first impression.

Still, if you’re leaving Tesla and are craving a reasonably affordable EV with a similar user experience, the Volvo EX30 might just be your ticket.

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Tesla often likes to bundle a number of big software updates into one, with its popular ‘Holiday Update’ typically introducing a series of choice tech upgrades to existing customers.

The latest over-the-air update, dubbed the ‘Spring Update’, sees a number of new features added across the line-up, with perhaps the most notable of all being Adaptive Headlights for cars in North American and Canada.

Both the Model S and Model X have also been catered for with a new blind spot camera video feed in the instrument cluster and an overall upgrade to the Dashcam and Sentry Mode camera coverage will benefit all owners, especially those worried about the prospect of anti-Musk protests.

Here are those Tesla updates and who's getting them...

1. Adaptive headlights arrive in North American and Canada

Available on Tesla models that feature matrix headlights, the software update will introduce high beams that automatically adapt to avoid blinding oncoming road users.

It works by dimming individual pixels, illuminating the parts of the road drivers need without inconveniencing others.

The technology and required software has been available in Europe for some time now, but the update, which can be toggled on and off in the Lights setting menu, comes to North American and Canadian customers thanks to recent changes in legislation that now allow for it.

That said, adaptive high beam headlights have been commonplace on models from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and many more for over ten years now, so it’s not exactly a mind-blowing addition to the Tesla tech arsenal.

2. Route planning gets smarter

Tesla’s route-planning is largely excellent, arguably among the best in the EV business, but it has just got better thanks to clearer choices for multiple route-planning options.

There’s now an option labelled ‘Fastest’ that keeps travel (and charge time) time to the bare minimum, while a ‘Best amenities’ option prioritizes Supercharger stops near top-rated restaurants, shops and restrooms, according to a Tesla post on X. Users can also manually toggle an option to avoid highways for more scenic drives.

Finally, there’s a ‘Fewer Stops’ that aims to reduce the number of charging stops by taking the most direct and efficient routes.

Plus, when scrolling through the various Tesla Supercharger stations, the infotainment system will offer details on any nearby attractions it deems worth visiting.

3. Improvements to Dashcam and Sentry Mode

For the Model S, 3, X and Y with the latest hardware, Tesla has added footage from the side cameras (mounted in the b-pillars) to both Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings.

This means that the captured camera angles now jump from four to six, which will see pretty much all of the car covered, both when driving and when parked.

On top of this, the Dashcam Viewer app has been redesigned with a grid layout option, showing a selection of camera angles on one screen.

Users can now more easily navigate the captured footage thanks to quick-swipe video review tools, as well as easily toggle between the various angles captured by all six cameras.

4. You can charge accessories after leaving the vehicle

One subtle feature has been added that allows users to continue using USB ports and phone chargers after exiting and locking the car.

The system will keep charging accessories so long as the vehicle’s battery level is above 20%, to ensure there’s enough charge remaining to get drivers to a nearby charging station.

It’s a nice addition, but many rival manufacturers deliberately offer accessory outlets in the trunk and/or frunk for this exact purpose.

5. Driver screen gets a blind spot camera

Rather than having to look down to the central touchscreen when indicating to change lanes, a live feed from the blind spot cameras now appears in the driver display… but there’s a catch.

This update is only available on the refreshed Model S and Model X, which encompasses vehicles made between 2021 and now.

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With all of the distractions impacting Tesla’s bottom line at the moment, it’s easy to forget that the Elon Musk dabbles in so much more than rocket ships and electric vehicles.

Before he took on his latest role as chief agitator, the CEO's vision was one of a society that was free from the shackles of fossil fuels, one that could charge a vehicle from home and reduce its reliance on the grid by harnessing the power of the sun.

You may have missed it, but Tesla’s Powerwall technology, which is essentially a giant battery pack that can store energy for use at a later time, is now in its third generation, boasting a number of improvements over previous iterations and a brace of new, automated features.

By late 2024, Tesla had deployed over 750,000 Powerwall units globally, with almost 100,000 of those part of the company’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program, which aims to “borrow” energy from domestic Powerwalls and feed it back into the grid when demand is at its highest.

This is particularly important in regions where the grid is unstable and homes are faced with regular blackouts. Places like Puerto Rico, where Tesla has been investing heavily in its VPP program.

Readers in the US will also likely be familiar with the sleek white packs that adorn the garage or exterior walls of a home – particularly those that are also fitted with solar panels – and supply energy to power lights, domestic appliances and the battery packs of electric vehicles.

However, the UK also has a plan to reach net zero by 2050, with renewable energy sources crucial to hitting that target. Private homeowners are becoming more receptive to installing solar, as the technology becomes more reliable and more affordable, with Tesla’s plug-and-play domestic battery set-up among the most popular.

It's easy to see why, because Tesla aces the user experience with its electric cars and it has done so again with Powerwall, thanks to a simple and intuitive app experience that seamlessly integrates with the same software that smartphone users harness to check on their EV charge status and even unlock the car.

To prove its idiot-proof nature, Tesla invited me to drive up to the Lake District in the deepest, darkest depths of North West England (an 800-mile round-trip from my house), where it had installed one of its newest Powerwall 3 models on a remote character property nestled at the foot of the valley of Mardale in Cumbria.

A simple set-up

It took just one stop in Tesla’s previous generation Model Y to tackle the 400-odd miles required to reach the remote Haweswater Reservoir. The efficiency and ease of running and charging Tesla products never ceases to amaze me.

Upon arrival, the Model Y’s battery packs were seriously depleted, so required plugging in to Tesla’s Wall Connector for a top up.

Seeing as the residence had been fitted with Powerwall 3 and solar panels, the system was able to begin charging the car from energy stored within the Powerwall’s 13.5kWh battery pack.

A new feature in Tesla’s smartphone app, dubbed ‘Charge on Solar’, allows owners to gain greater control of the way their vehicle is charged, using excess solar energy when it is available.

Like Tesla’s Charge Limit interface, which allows owners to adjust the amount the battery that's topped up during any given charging session, the Charge on Solar feature uses the same basic slider set-up.

In essence, owners can set their charge limit at, say 50%, which for some will be enough to tackle a week’s worth of trips, with the Charge on Solar slider set from 50% to 90%, meaning the battery gets a bonus top-up of 30% if there’s enough excess solar to do so.

With the bruised clouds hanging low over the Aquila house on the Haweswater reservoir, it didn’t feel like excess solar power was a regular occurrence. But in those places that are blessed with plenty of sunshine, it feels like a great idea.

But more than simply being a way to top up your EV’s batteries without relying on the grid, the Powerwall can also act as a back-up during black-outs and draw power from the grid during off-peak tariff times to reduce household bills.

Crunching numbers

Half expecting a gigantic, obnoxious battery pack and myriad trailing wires, I was pleasantly surprised by how compact Tesla’s system proved to be. Even when attached to the side of a quintessentially British period property, it didn’t jar with the aesthetic too much.

The Powerwall itself is a sleek white box that weighs some 130kg and measures just over a meter tall (around 43 inches) and 609mm wide (around 24 inches). This has to be paired with a Tesla Gateway – the brains of the operation – which sits inside the house and looks like an additional fuse board.

Plus, there’s another box that takes a feed from the solar panels on the roof, as well as the wiring to make it all work. It’s no wonder Tesla offers a base price, but then sends interested parties to trusted installers to get a final quote.

On that subject, the Powerwall 3 costs £6,600 (around $8,500 / AU$13,500) in the UK, without delivery or installation, plus an additional £1,170 (about $1,500 / AU$2,400) for the required Gateway. Tesla points out that there may be “other costs” and fees from the certified installer.

Most ballpark estimates put a standard installation at over £10,000 (around $13,000 / AU$20,500), which is a hefty initial outlay. But Tesla predicts that, on average, Powerwall users can save around £1,450 (around $1,800 / AU$3,000) per year on their energy bills when paired with solar that, by the way, will cost even smaller residences at least a further £6,000 (about $7,700 / AU$12,300) to install.

So with some quick napkin calculations, it will take an average of 11 years before your Tesla Powerwall 3 breaks even – although Tesla’s predicted savings seem exaggerated, given that Uswitch calculated that the average UK household’s electricity usage equates to around £800 per year.

But it’s not just about the financial argument, as the reduction on the grid is a big talking point, especially as more households start charging EVs from home.

“The average EV will roughly double the annual electricity use of a typical household and in future, as EVs grow in popularity, the flexibility of your home charging and that energy delivery will become understandably more important,” a spokesperson from home charging experts Ohme told me.

“For EV drivers that means charging their cars at the cheapest and greenest times, while for energy suppliers that means maximizing use of renewable energy and helping them to better predict and control that supply and demand domestically, locally and nationally to ensure there’s a healthier energy system overall,” they added.

By supping energy when it is least in demand (usually in the dead of night) and discharging from Powerwall when the nation is cooking dinner and bingeing Netflix, it prevents the big spikes in that cause energy providers headaches.

Ohme does this with its next-generation home chargers, which can dynamically charge all of the EVs on its network, according to differing levels of supply and demand on the grid. But Tesla’s Powerwall effectively achieves the same results, with the added bonus of also using solar power.

Riders of the Storm

While there are other solar and battery storage systems on the market, Tesla excels with its software, enabling even knuckleheads like myself to easily see how the product is performing.

Alongside the aforementioned ‘Charge on Solar’ feature, Tesla also offers ‘Storm Watch’, which tracks incoming severe weather and automatically charges Powerwall to its full capacity to prepare for any potential outages.

This will then allow for a seamless switch from the grid to Tesla’s domestic battery system, allowing most households to go about their business for a day or so before the Uninterrupted Power Supply (or UPS, as it is known) needs topping up again.

The smartphone app also gives a clear breakdown of how the Powerwall is performing, how much electricity the household has used in a day, week, month or year, as well a simple graphical breakdown that visualizes the percentage that's been derived from solar or from the grid.

In sunnier climates, the app might show an ‘Impact’ figure that reveals the residence has been 88% ‘self-powered’ in any given 24 hour period.

In the last quarter of 2024, the Powerwall set-up in the admittedly gloomy Lake District house provided energy for lighting and appliances 4% of the time, according to the app I was given access to, with another 4% provided by solar. The remaining 92% was taken from the grid. It provided £73 in estimated energy value.

The first three months of 2025 proved much better, with 4% solar, 10% Powerwall and 86% from the grid, providing £134 of estimated energy value.

But what wasn’t so obvious was the amount of money it was saving the household by charging during off-peak times, when energy tariffs are considerably cheaper, and discharging during the most expensive period.

One section in the app revealed that the Powerwall had discharged almost as much as it had charged in the first three months of this year, suggesting the household was essentially benefiting from the cheaper energy tariffs 24/7.

For those thinking of 'going solar', Tesla’s ecosystem is as simple as they come… arguably stylish for a domestic battery system, too. Plus, it works seamlessly with the existing app that its EV owners will already be so familiar with.

But until the price of this technology comes down, it feels like it we are back in the early days of electric vehicles again. A technology that's reserved for the wealthy early adopters that are willing to swallow the significant upfront costs.

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No matter your political leaning, it is very difficult to ignore the impact Tesla has had on the automotive industry as a whole.

When the company recorded its first profits in 2020, it had not only managed to establish itself as a major player among automotive brands with over a hundred years in the business, it had done so with an all-electric offering; something those beholden to the oil industry had merely toyed with up until that point.

Not content with simply producing desirable, reliable and digitally class-leading EVs, Tesla also set about building the best charging network in the business.

Musk understood from an early stage that simple, convenient top-ups, free from payment pains, were key to the success of electric powertrains and only now are the big energy providers playing catch up to his Supercharger network.

Regardless, the brand has always been divisive, there have been numerous question marks over the build quality of its product, the production methods and the direct-to-consumer business model, but there is no denying the Tesla light shines at its very brightest when it innovates.

However, too much innovation can lead to distraction and Tesla’s current line-up of vehicles is getting long in the tooth. Customers are demanding fresh design, new technology and increased battery range, but these things are arriving drabs and drabs.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk is busying himself with a fierce determination to colonize Mars, replace the workforce with humanoid robots and, perhaps more damaging still, meddling in global politics, slashing US governmental jobs and generally causing upset on his social media platform, X.

This is all impacting sales and demand for Tesla’s aging line-up is waning. A shame, because the most recently updated vehicles, which include Model 3 and Model Y, are arguably the best cars Tesla has ever built.

An EV for everyone

Let’s park Cybertruck for a minute. Yes, it is packed with innovation (800V architecture for faster charging, steer-by-wire systems etc) but it’s not a volume player, it is only available in the US and Canada, and recent sales data suggests that customer demand is cooling. Oh, and apparently bits of trim keep falling off.

Model 3 and Model Y, on the other hand, are the company’s bread and butter.

A recent update to Model 3, for example, introduced a completely new exterior aesthetic. Gone is the slightly frumpy and awkward shape, as we welcome in sleek lines, razor sharp LED headlights and a neat full width light bar at the rear.

The Model 3 is now more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessor and the interior, although still typically Tesla levels of sparse, is finished with aluminum, sumptuous leather-effect seats (cooled and heated), as well as 15.4-inch centre display up front and an 8-inch rear display to keep passengers entertained. It’s a lovely place to while away the hours.

Mercedes-Benz will wax lyrical about its upcoming CLA’s ability to act as a cinema and games console, but Tesla has been doing this stuff for years.

Mapping fart noises to seats and offering jazzy exterior light displays might sound like the stuff of adolescent dreams, but kids absolutely love it and rival manufacturers, such as Rivian, are now copying the blueprint wholesale.

Perhaps more importantly, Tesla has increased the overall comfort and refinement in its recent upgrades. There’s 360-degree acoustic glass, improved suspension bushings, thicker seals and a hefty dose of additional sound deadening materials.

Finally, it now feels like a Model 3 will be able to rack up the miles without feeling dogged after a few years of ownership. It stands up to the competition, too, while the general ease of use makes it the EV for most people.

Plus, the introduction of Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology means using your phone as a key actually works and Tesla’s smartphone app is second to none, able to locate a parked car, check on charge status and seamlessly integrates with Powerwall and other Tesla energy solutions.

Sure, Model 3 still isn’t the most-engaging vehicle to drive and it lacks character. But it’s effortless, it’s easy, it’s bright, roomy and airy. It's also efficient and dead easy to charge thanks to the robust Supercharger network. This is what the majority of buyers want.

Many of the same updates are now arriving on Model Y, which is not only Tesla’s best-selling model, it was also the best-selling car in the world last year, period.

From zero to conquering the global sales charts in a mere 17 years is nothing short of miraculous. So why isn’t Tesla continuing to build on its successes?

A stale Musk

In short, Elon Musk happened. The once eccentric tech entrepreneur, the IRL Tony Stark, has developed an altogether more divisive persona.

“We struggle to think of anything analogous in the history of the automotive industry, in which a brand has lost so much value so quickly,” wrote JP Morgan analysts in a report quoted by Quartz that has charted Tesla’s recent sales slump.

Since taking up his role in The White House, Tesla’s share price has dropped by nearly 50% from its peak in December, with any gains the company made by Musk’s political ventures (affectionately known as the Trump Bump) effectively wiped out.

Tesla’s sales figures make for depressing reading, with numbers nosediving in Europe, California, Australia and China - all of which were considered key markets for the brand, where the recently updated Model Y was expected to, once again, storm the sales charts.

While it’s easy to suggest that Musk’s questionable antics, both in public and on his social media platform, are the root cause of all of these issues, that’s not the case. The fact of the matter is, competition in the EV space is now the fiercest it has ever been.

China is the perfect example of this. Where Tesla was once considered the epitome of EV technology, it is now lagging behind rivals, such as BYD, Xiaomi, XPeng and more.

Speaking to The New York Times, one Chinese electric vehicle dealer suggested that Tesla’s competitiveness in China will only last for “the next two or three years at most”, stating that rivals offer a greater amount of cutting-edge technology.

With no hint of a revised Model S and Model X, scant detail on the new Tesla Roadster we have long-been promised and poor uptake of its Semi electric truck, it appears that Elon Musk’s mind isn’t particularly set on turning around the fate of his once pioneering electric vehicle brand.

Last year, Musk told investors and journalists that Tesla is “an AI, robotics company”, with its astronomical market valuation now seemingly linked to a Robotaxi business and advances promised in humanoid robotics that could, one day, replace the workforce.

The sad truth is, this is what gets the markets excited and makes Tesla one of the most valuable companies on the planet. But following a traditional automotive development cycle, building hype with concept cars, refreshing models every two or three years and generally behaving like an established automaker isn’t.

However, this laser focus on other areas of the business, as well as a career in politics, has Tesla’s car business in a bind.

This week, the company has been the subject of yet more arson attacks and acts of graffiti and violence against dealers. What's more a recent report from Inside EVs claimed that insurance costs could surge for Tesla owners, due to this wave of vandalism.

A website has also surfaced that contains the address and contact information of thousands of Tesla owners and DOGE employees, with the callous doxxing act requiring said owners to prove they have sold their cars to guarantee removal from the list.

Even if Tesla’s automotive business somehow distances itself from Musk, it feels like the damage has already been done.

The Tesla reputation is tarnished and there are plenty of rival brands keen to offer an alternative.

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The rising demand for computing power to support AI workloads has fueled rapid growth in the market for high-powered servers. It is a lucrative business for firms like Dell, Supermicro, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, who have all seen increased demand for their high-performance server products in recent years.

A report from Bloomberg claims HPE has secured a massive deal worth more than $1 billion to supply Elon Musk’s X social network with servers optimized for artificial intelligence work.

The report doesn’t specify exactly how the servers will be used, but since it’s for X, there’s a good chance some of the capacity will be for Grok, the social network’s AI chatbot. At the end of 2024, X announced that it was rolling out Grok-2 to all users for free, and it’s fair to conclude that extra capacity will require more server infrastructure.

Dell and Supermicro outbid

Bloomberg says X’s agreement with HPE was reached in late 2024, according to people familiar with the matter.

Musk’s companies, including xAI and Tesla, are major buyers of AI hardware. The Colossus supercomputer, built by xAI in Memphis, was previously declared by Musk to be the "most powerful AI training system in the world." The billionaire stated it was built "from start to finish" in just 122 days.

Colossus uses 100,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, but there are plans to massively expand its operations. Supermicro has faced some challenges recently, including the resignation of its auditor and other related matters. However, as MarketWatch reports, it remains a "major player in the AI revolution" and recently established operations in Memphis to support xAI's goal of building a supercomputer facility with 1 million GPUs.

Supermicro and Dell provided the servers for Colossus originally, and Bloomberg says that while both firms did bid to supply the equipment for this new venture they were ultimately unsuccessful.

Bloomberg’s report notes, “HPE’s liquid-cooling technology may have played a role in the win,” wrote Woo Jin Ho, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. While good for sales, larger deals can be a drag on margins, he added.”

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2024 was a roller-coaster of a year in EV-land. While electric car sales decelerated somewhat, EV market share continued to grow. Elon Musk’s antics started plaguing Tesla’s bottom line, as long-time customers (myself included) started leaving the brand. GM, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia all experienced record EV sales, and the Toyota Corolla even regained its long-time “world’s best-selling car” title after losing it to the Tesla Model Y in 2023.

The Acura ZDX, Chevrolet Silverado EV / Blazer EV / Equinox EV, Fiat 500e, Honda Prologue, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, Kia EV9, Polestar 3, Porsche Macan EV, Rivian R1S/R1T (2ng gen), Tesla Model 3 Highland, Volkswagen ID.Buzz, and Volvo EX90 are some of the new electric cars that became widely available to North American customers this year.

Last April, Elon Musk fired the entire Supercharger team on a whim, casting serious doubts on the future of Tesla’s charging network, and the rollout of Supercharger access for non-Tesla EV. Thankfully, a large chunk of the Supercharger team was re-hired, and – after a brief pause – Tesla’s charging network resumed its rapid growth. Ford, Rivian, GM, Volvo, Polestar, and Nissan EVs all gained Supercharger access in 2024.

Other charging networks like Electrify America also made significant inroads in 2024, with hundreds of new stations opening and many older chargers getting newer, more reliable equipment. Ionna, a charging network founded by BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Stellantis, and Toyota, opened its first site in Apex, North Carolina.

EVs are going mainstream

Obviously, 2025 will bring even more EVs to the table, with an even a wider variety of choices than last year – from full-size SUVs (Cadillac Escalade IQ), to electric muscle cars (Dodge Charger Daytona), to three-row performance SUVs (Kia EV9 GT), to luxury off-road SUVs (Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Electric), to electric roadsters (Porsche 718 EV), to best-selling family crossovers (Tesla Model Y Juniper).

This listing below contains most of the new electric cars, trucks, and SUVs that are expected to launch in North America next year. Obviously, this isn’t a complete list, and it includes a few EVs that became available in late 2024, plus a couple of electric cars that I listed last year but were delayed into 2025.

• Audi Q6 e-tron
• Cadillac Escalade IQ, Vistiq, and Optiq
• Dodge Charger Daytona
• Hyundai IONIQ 9
• Jeep Wagoneer S and Recon
• Kia EV9 GT and EV3
• Lotus Eletre
• Lucid Gravity
• Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Electric
• MINI Countryman SE and Cooper SE
• Polestar 4
• Porsche 718 EV
• Ram 1500 REV
• Tesla Model Y Project Juniper and Model Q
• Volkswagen ID.7
• Volvo EX30

Here’s more information on a few of these upcoming EVs – the Audi Q6 e-tron, Kia EV9 GT, Polestar 4, Tesla Model Y Juniper, and Volvo EX30.

Audi Q6 e-tron

Most EV fans won’t find the Audi Q6 e-tron very exciting, and that’s exactly the point. Now don’t get me wrong: this is an extremely competent electric SUV with solid pricing and range. But, despite being pretty conventional in terms of performance, tech, and packaging, it will definitely appeal to Audi customers coming from the Q5 or more traditional buyers wanting to leave ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles behind.

The Q6 e-tron, which is landing in driveways this month, shares the Volkswagen Group’s 800-volt PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture with the Porsche Macan EV and uses a similar split headlight arrangement. But that’s where the similarities end. It might not accelerate as fast or ride as well, but it costs $20,000 less than its Porsche sibling and delivers premium materials and build quality. That’s exciting in a different way.

• Price: $63,800 - $72,900
• Range: 275 - 321mi est.
• Power: 322 - 509hp

Kia EV9 GT

The Kia EV9 is a fantastic electric three-row SUV that sold like hotcakes in 2024. And that’s no surprise: it delivers 80% of the Rivian R1S experience for $12,000 less. While it’s less capable off-road, it offers more room in the third row. The EV9 is sharp and modern outside, plus quiet and comfortable inside. It’s pleasant to drive and delivers impressive performance for its size. Oh, and it charges really fast thanks to its 800-volt architecture.

Now take all this EV9 goodness, and give it the GT treatment, ie. Kia’s performance touch. When Kia launched the EV6 GT in 2023, the result was an insane electric crossover with 576 horsepower, 545 lb-ft of torque, 3.2-second 0-60 mph, sport bucket seats, and a drift mode. Now imagine an electric three-row SUV with this formula. That’s what’s coming in 2025 with the EV9 GT. Hide your children – you’ve been warned.

• Price: $80,000 est.
• Range: 250mi est.
• Power: 500hp est.

Polestar 4

Polestar calls the 4 an SUV coupé but it’s really more of a fastback sedan, and it’s gorgeous. This sleek, premium EV shares a platform with the excellent Zeekr 001 from Chinese parent company Geely (which also owns Volvo and Lotus), but stands out by not having a rear window. Instead, the driver gets a HD digital rearview mirror and the rear passengers get more headroom – plus reclining rear seats. Fancy.

Before being acquired by Geely, Polestar was Volvo’s performance brand (like AMG is to Mercedes-Benz), so you can expect the Polestar 4 to be fast and fun-to-drive. And, if the Polestar 2 BST (beast) Edition is any indication, it will also handle extremely well. Since the Polestar 4 is a full SDV (software defined vehicle), it packs Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) and a Google-based infotainment system.

Here in the US, the Polestar 4 was expected to launch a few months after the Polestar 3, but both EVs were delayed. The Polestar 3 made it into showrooms in the fall of 2024, so the Polestar 4 shouldn’t be far behind. And, if the excellent Polestar 3 is any indication, the Polestar 4 should be worth the wait.

• Price: $60,000 - $80,000 est.
• Range: 270 - 300mi est.
• Power: 272 - 544hp

Tesla Model Y Project Juniper

Last year, I wrote about the Model 3 and Project Highland, which was the first major refresh of Tesla’s most affordable EV since its launch in 2017. So it was only a matter of time until the Model Y received a similar treatment. Project Juniper is the first major refresh of Tesla’s most popular EV since its launch in 2020, and it’s right around the corner.

Updates are expected to follow in the Model 3’s footsteps, and include reworked front and rear ends (with Cybertruck-like light bars, this time around), ride comfort improvements, a quieter, more premium interior with ambient lighting, a rear infotainment screen, cooled seats, and a stalkless steering wheel.

• Price: $45,000 - $52,000 est.
• Range: 280 - 340mi est.
• Power: 342 - 455hp

Volvo EX30

Think of the Volvo EX30 as a budget Polestar 4, and you have the right idea. This small, affordable crossover shares its platform with the Zeekr X from Chinese parent Geely (which also owns Polestar and Lotus), but is unmistakably Volvo, thanks to a minimalistic interior full of sustainable materials, and a tasteful exterior. Standout features include a sound bar instead of multiple speakers, and a center-mounted glove box.

And while the EX30 is affordable, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort or performance. It’s fun to drive – not to mention quick (0-60mph in 3.4s). You also get Volvo’s supremely comfortable seats and a quiet, airy cabin. This is a full SDV (software-defined vehicle), so there’s lots of tech on the menu, including a Google-based infotainment system, and Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance system).

The EX30 was supposed to launch in the US this year but was delayed until 2025 due to the new 100% tariff on imports from China, where it was being manufactured. Volvo is now importing EX30’s made in Belgium instead, so this EV should be arriving in dealerships any day now. Stay tuned.

• Price: $46,000 - $48,000
• Range: 253 mi est.
• Power: 422hp

An interesting year ahead

Beyond these exciting new electric cars, 2025 is going to be an interesting year for EVs. First – and unfortunately – the incoming US regime is likely to cancel federal EV subsidies and impose various tariffs that will impact the (highly globalized) automotive industry. In the short term, this means that electric cars are likely to cost more. Longer term, this might force auto manufacturers to be more competitive with EV pricing.

Second, 2024 ushered some of the most affordable lease rates on electric cars ever, making EVs accessible to more people. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues. Third, Tesla is once again rumored to be announcing a sub-$30,000 Model Q, so let’s hope this pans out. Finally, the remaining auto manufacturers (German and Korean, mostly) should be getting Supercharger access in 2025, making EV road trips a breeze.

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• HBM4 chips poised to power Tesla's advanced AI ambitions
• Dojo supercomputer to integrate Tesla’s high-performance HBM4 chips
• Samsung and SK Hynix compete for Tesla's AI memory chip orders

As the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market continues to grow, projected to reach $33 billion by 2027, the competition between Samsung and SK Hynix intensifies.

Tesla is fanning the flames as it has reportedly reached out to both Samsung and SK Hynix, two of South Korea's largest memory chipmakers, seeking samples of its next-generation HBM4 chips.

Now, a report from the Korean Economic Daily claims Tesla plans to evaluate these samples for potential integration into its custom-built Dojo supercomputer, a critical system designed to power the company’s AI ambitions, including its self-driving vehicle technology.

Tesla’s ambitious AI and HBM4 plans

The Dojo supercomputer, driven by Tesla’s proprietary D1 AI chip, helps train the neural networks required for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature. This latest request suggests that Tesla is gearing up to replace older HBM2e chips with the more advanced HBM4, which offers significant improvements in speed, power efficiency, and overall performance. The company is also expected to incorporate HBM4 chips into its AI data centers and future self-driving cars.

Samsung and SK Hynix, long-time rivals in the memory chip market, are both preparing prototypes of HBM4 chips for Tesla. These companies are also aggressively developing customized HBM4 solutions for major U.S. tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Google.

According to industry sources, SK Hynix remains the current leader in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market, supplying HBM3e chips to NVIDIA and holding a significant market share. However, Samsung is quickly closing the gap, forming partnerships with companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to produce key components for its HBM4 chips.

SK Hynix seems to have made progress with its HBM4 chip. The company claims that its solution delivers 1.4 times the bandwidth of HBM3e while consuming 30% less power. With a bandwidth expected to exceed 1.65 terabytes per second (TB/s) and reduced power consumption, the HBM4 chips offer the performance and efficiency needed to train massive AI models using Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer.

The new HBM4 chips are also expected to feature a logic die at the base of the chip stack, which functions as the control unit for memory dies. This logic die design allows for faster data processing and better energy efficiency, making HBM4 an ideal fit for Tesla’s AI-driven applications.

Both companies are expected to accelerate their HBM4 development timelines, with SK Hynix aiming to deliver the chips to customers in late 2025. Samsung, on the other hand, is pushing its production plans with its advanced 4-nanometer (nm) foundry process, which could help it secure a competitive edge in the global HBM market.

Via TrendForce

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Tesla is getting into the festive spirit early with an over-the-air update for its fleet of vehicles that will introduce a host of new software features.

Arguably the biggest news is the introduction of a bespoke app for Apple Watch owners, which will allow them to use the smartwatch as a key to remotely lock and unlock the vehicle, as well as view battery charge, switch on and adjust the climate controls, and remotely open the ‘frunk’.

There have also been a number of improvements to mapping, with the ability for drivers to set a desired energy level on arrival, which sees the route planner add or remove charging stops along the journey depending on the desired level set.

Estimated detour times have also been introduced for the first time, with the mapping system intelligently adding time onto the ETA should the user choose to stop for coffee or a quick charge. Plus, a precipitation overlay has been added to the maps, which takes live weather data and neatly visualizes this at the destination point in the form of a rain radar.

Just in time for the holiday season, Tesla has also thrown in a few festive treats, including the ability to transform the Cybertruck avatar into Santa's sleigh, with reindeers, elves and more. Sadly, this feature is solely for Cybertruck owners.

If Santa isn’t your thing, Tesla also now allows custom wraps for the Cybertruck avatar that is displayed on-screen, with the option to select from a number of preloaded designs or custom creations. A post on X states that details on template and instructions will be published via Github at a later date.

Not ones to exclude owners of Model 3, Model Y and Model X, Tesla also states that owners can now remotely schedule Light Shows from the Tesla app, including two new, presumably festive, Light Shows that come courtesy of the Holiday Update.

Similar to Rivian’s Halloween japes, this will allow owners and passers-by to 'enjoy' a themed flashing of the vehicle's front and rear lamps when the vehicle is parked.

Finally, Tesla’s fart noises have also been taken up notch with a new ‘bum detection’ Fart on Contact feature that essentially transforms any seat inside a Tesla into a virtual whoopee cushion.

It joins the Fart on Demand and Fart on Turn Signal features when the software update rolls out to owners in the coming weeks.

Full Self-Driving shifts into gear

Alongside the new features bundled into the upcoming 2024 Holiday Update, Tesla is also slowly releasing FSD V13.2 to a handful of its trusted early testers, with a view to rolling it out to the rest of the fleet before the new year.

Although we are still some way from Musk’s much-promised Unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD), the update adds a slew of serious features that will drastically reduce the number of interventions – or cases where the driver has to take over driving duties.

Following the OTA update, any vehicle – bar the Cybertruck – with Tesla Hardware 4 (dubbed A14 and introduced on 2023 models or later), will be able to run FSD from “parked to parked”.

This means users can set their destination while the vehicle is stationary, select FSD mode, and the vehicle will now autonomously shift out of park and into drive or reverse in order to get to its destination.

The update also means vehicles can essentially perform three-point turns and other tricky maneuvers without input from the driver, while being able to hunt down and position themselves into prime parking spots at a chosen destination without user intervention.

Tesla has long-hyped a fully autonomous future, with Musk suggesting that Unsupervised Full Self-Driving will arrive in the second quarter of 2025, but many believe these targets are still ambitious given the current patchy performance of the FSD software.

That said, the latest software update means that some owners will theoretically be able to travel from a parked position on a driveway or in a garage to a parking spot at a chosen destination without having to lift a finger – only being behind the wheel and paying attention to the road in case the system requires user intervention.

Yes, Tesla's system still requires eyes on the road for both safety and legal reasons, but the updates feel like big steps towards a fully autonomous future.

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• Vay’s new rental cars are remotely delivered by teledrivers
• Drivers sit at stations with a steering wheel and live video feeds
• A trial is running in Las Vegas via an iOS app ahead of a European launch

Next time you rent a car, it could be delivered by a driver sitting miles away. Vay, a car rental service, operates a fleet in Las Vegas where its vehicles are ferried to customers by remote teledrivers. To date, the company users have taken over 5,000 rides; the tech could be coming to Europe soon, too.

Using the Vay app, you can summon a vehicle to rent by the minute. Drop a pin and your car will arrive driverless, ready for you to use for as long as you need. The system isn’t reliant on self-driving technology, though: Vay’s fleet is operated from afar by a team of professional teledrivers. When you’re done, they can even park for you.

These trained operators sit at stations similar to racing simulators. They drive the vehicle remotely using a steering wheel, pedals and other controls which, according to Vay, have been “developed to meet automotive industry standards.”

Teledrivers watch a live video feed of the road on a bank of monitors, fed in real-time from camera sensors installed in the vehicle. Microphones on the car also relay traffic sounds and warning signals to the teledriver’s headphones.

According to Vay, the system is reliant on “multiple cellular networks combined with proprietary hardware on both telestation and the vehicle.”

Before getting behind the wheel of a real remote-control car, Vay’s drivers are put through its Teledrive Academy. Vay describes this as, “a rigorous program that prepares our drivers for public streets.”

Vay is also bullish about its safety standards. It called in TÜV Süd, an independent testing and certification body, to confirm that its remote-driving technology is indeed safe. As robust as its data relays are, there are also safeguards built in: in an emergency, the vehicle automatically comes to a safe stop. According to Vay, the teledrive system is “as safe as having someone in the driver’s seat".

It isn't the only company working on teledriving tech. The Estonian startup Elmo was recently given approval in its home country for its AI-powered autonomous braking system, which lets cars driver at higher speeds without a human driver. But not all of Vay's rivals are ready to ditch the human driver just yet...

Ghost rider

Vay’s ambition is to roll out driverless mobility services which combine the best bits of humans and machines, with the net benefit of reducing the number of cars in cities.

Going forward, it intends to incorporate more autonomous functions into the system, once they are safe and legal. For now, its trial fleet is operating in Las Vegas. But momentum from recent fund-raising and new partnerships with the likes of Belgian car-sharing platform Poppy mean similar trials in Europe are now on the horizon.

Vay isn’t the only firm trialing variations on the robotaxi concept. Alphabet subsidiary Waymo has been running its driverless taxis in Los Angeles, while Hyundai has been operating a highly autonomous version of the Ioniq 5 in partnership with Uber – albeit with a human driver behind the wheel as a backup.

Elon Musk also finally unveiled Tesla’s long-promised “Cybercab” in October, although very few details were revealed about the technology powering the vehicle. A recent job listing for a remote teleoperator indicates that Tesla could be following Vay’s lead with its robot taxis.

According to the listing, “Tesla AI’s Teleoperation team is charged with providing remote access to our robotaxis and humanoid robots. Our cars and robots operate autonomously in challenging environments. As we iterate on the AI that powers them, we need the ability to access and control them remotely.”

Unlike Vay, the job description suggests that Tesla’s remote driving system will rely on VR rather than video screens. “Our remote operators are transported into the device’s world using a state-of-the-art VR rig that allows them to remotely perform complex and intricate tasks.”

Time will tell when, where and whether at all Tesla rolls out its tele-operated taxis. For the time being, if you want to have a rental car delivered by a remote driver you’ll need to hit up Vay in Las Vegas. The app is available for iOS now. If you’re an Android user, you can join the waitlist.

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• Elon Musk seeks $6 billion for xAI’s Memphis data center
• Funding to purchase 100,000 Nvidia chips for AI projects
• Data center will power Tesla’s Full Self-Driving capabilities

Elon Musk knows that staying competitive in the AI space requires deep pockets - back in February 2024, the world’s richest man said Tesla would spend "over a billion dollars" on Nvidia's H100 and AMD's Instinct MI300 hardware, adding, “The table stakes for being competitive in AI are at least several billion dollars per year at this point.”

More recently, the controversial billionaire gave us a tour inside the massive AI supercluster, dubbed Cortex, being used by X (formerly Twitter) and followed that up with news that Colossus, a new 100k H100 training cluster for Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, is now up and running.

According to CNBC’s David Faber, Elon Musk has raised up to $6 billion (at a $50 billion valuation) to purchase 100,000 Nvidia chips for xAI’s Memphis data center, which will - among other things - power Tesla’s full self-driving (FSD) capabilities.

Musk's government role

Sources familiar with Musk’s plans told Faber that the $6 billion funding comes from $5 billion of sovereign funds in the Middle East and $1 billion from other investors who will have the option to increase their investment.

Following Donald Trump’s election victory and the announcement that Elon Musk will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency within the president-elect’s administration, we can expect to see sizable government changes regarding AI regulation.

Musk’s future role, despite potential conflicts of interest, is to "dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies."

However, no one believes for a second that this will be the limit of his involvement in wider policy decisions.

As CNBC reports, “Trump plans to repeal President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI, according to his campaign platform, stating that it 'hinders AI innovation and imposes radical left-wing ideas on the development of this technology,' and that 'in its place, Republicans support AI development rooted in free speech and human flourishing.'”

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A new version of the Tesla iPhone app has revealed that the company may be working on a companion app for Apple Watch users, which could include a digital key functionality designed to work with all the best Apple Watches.

Elon Musk suggested an Apple Watch app for Tesla owners could be on the cards earlier this year, and now we've just got our first glimpse.

As reported by MacRumors, "Tesla last week updated its iPhone app with new Control Center controls on iOS 18. In addition, the latest version of the app added hidden code references to an upcoming Apple Watch version of the app."

According to the report, the code shows functionality for using an Apple Watch as a digital key that can be used to unlock your Tesla vehicle remotely.

A big Apple Watch upgrade for Tesla owners

Using an Apple Watch to unlock a Tesla isn't unheard of, as it's a feature that has been available on the third-party Stats app for Tesla for a couple of years now.

However, Tesla's impending update will bring official functionality to Apple Watch models, letting users unlock their car even if their iPhone has run out of battery or if they don't have it on their person.

Tesla's 2012-2020 Model S and 2015-2020 Model X do not support phone keys, requiring an internet connection to use remote start, so it seems likely those models also won't be supported by the new Apple Watch unlocking feature.

Unfortunately, there's no firm timeline for the Tesla Apple Watch app launch, but its recent appearance in code suggests it's close at hand.

Apple continues to expand its own support for digital car keys. Recently, it emerged that the feature would expand to vehicles made by Volvo, Polestar, and Audi. That would add some big names to a list that already includes BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and more.

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Dancing humanoid robots, a Hollywood movie set and plenty of impromptu whooping – it could only mean one thing: Elon Musk finally held the robotaxi reveal he has been promising for years.

Staged in a sprawling "20-30 acre" Warner Brothers facility in California, the unveiling saw Musk arrive in what he predominantly referred to as 'Cybercab', although he did have a tendency to muddle that up with robotaxi on several occasions.

Sporting a demure gold paint job, the scissor-door saloon looked like the Cybertruck and Model S had spawned freakishly futuristic offspring, with LED headlights, laser projections on the road ahead and a distinct lack of steering wheel or pedals setting it apart from the rest of the Tesla range.

Musk demonstrated its abilities as he hopped inside one of his Cybercabs and took an awkward, trundling meander around the movie set to bursts of applause from his adoring fans. Occasionally it would stop for staged cyclists to pass, other times it would hesitate at junctions.

Once up on stage, Musk was characteristically light on details, stating that he had "50 autonomous cars" roving around the Warner Bros. lot, including Model Y vehicles set to an unsupervised autonomous driving mode.

After stating that traffic today “sucked” and that autonomous vehicles could be anywhere between 10-20 safer than humans, Musk again reiterated his vision of "personalised mass transport", which he suggested would be cheaper, safer and more convenient for everyone.

More importantly, it would give humanity back the time 'wasted' driving. Although Musk then joked that humanity would spend that time on their smartphones.

In terms of technology powering the vehicle, Tesla remained tight-lipped, with anyone tuning into the live stream of the event forced to pick out details and join the dots.

There was no sign of LiDar on any of the Robocab’s used in the demonstration, suggesting they relied solely on high-definition cameras to navigate the various, very controlled obstacles.

The Verge reported that the company was mapping the Warner Bros area in advance of the reveal, despite the company stating that it doesn’t rely on high-definition mapping for its Auto-Pilot and Full Self-Driving systems.

Musk did reveal that the Cybercab will go on sale and it will cost "less than $30,000", which is around £23,000 / AU$44,500, while he expects production for the vehicle to begin in 2026. However, that figure felt like it was plucked out of the air.

There was mention of inductive charging, with the Cybercab lacking any form of plug and relying solely on inductive plates to top up batteries. During one cutaway video, we also saw a team of robots vacuuming the interior of Tesla's autonomous vehicle and polishing the surfaces.

Any form of timeline is similarly vague and optimistic, as Musk predicts (or should that be hopes?) that both Texas and California will allow the company to operate Unsupervised Full-Self driving in those states next year, despite the fact that improvements in the company’s current SAE Level 2 supervised system have been marginal.

Analysis: Tesla is behind the times

Dan O'Dowd, founder of safety advocacy group The Dawn Project, spoke out after the Tesla We, Robot event, stating: "Tesla is not a player in the robotaxi market because they are prohibited from running on public roads. Tesla is limited to yawn-inducing demonstrations in Hollywood studios while its competitors’ robotaxis transport 100,000 paying customers around major American cities every week."

This firmly hits the nail on the head, because this is the major issue facing Tesla’s autonomous driving technology. 

Despite the company repeatedly over-egging its Auto-Pilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities, it is still only able to travel 70-odd miles before the systems disengage and require a human driver to take over for safety reasons, according to the community run Tesla FSD tracker. 

Compare this to Waymo's technology, which manages over 17,000 miles before any sort of disengagement. As a result, the company is rapidly expanding its operations across North America.

Rather than reveal the affordable EV that many Tesla and non-Tesla fans have been crying out for, Musk chose to wow the crowds with what he called the 'Robovan' – a fully autonomous, 20-seater transportation pod that looked like it had been lifted from a science fiction film.

There were also bold statements about his Optimus humanoid robots, which Musk claimed could be mass produced and then sold for $20,000 (around £15,000 / AU$30,000), going on to suggest they would be "the biggest product ever, of any kind".

Alas, as the cameras panned around to the humanoid robots supposedly tending the bar during the after party, all the dressed up props could do was stare into the abyss and wave at the crowd’s general direction.

A fitting metaphor for a once mighty company that feels as if it has lost its grip on reality.

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Tesla's bizarre-looking Cybertruck has suffered through yet another recall. It's a sign that not only is the truck a bit like an experiment on wheels, but that Tesla is increasingly no longer the standard bearer for our EV aspirations.

"Elon Musk is the reason both cars in my driveway are electric. He’s also the reason neither of them are Teslas," wrote Firebird Music CEO Nathan Hubbard on Threads. The post encapsulates a growing sentiment among EV owners and EV curious: Tesla is not necessarily the electric car company that will own the future of the market it all but created.

Post by @nathanchubbard

View on Threads

Look, I don't want to dive too deeply here into the unpleasant actions and social presence of Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk. Let's just say that the once inspiring entrepreneur has become, to put it lightly, a polarizing figure. It's not a good look for someone who wants to sell electric vehicles to everyone and not just those who share his world (and off-world) views.

There is, though, no denying that Musk has put Tesla fans in a difficult position and they are perhaps making different choices. As of Q2 2024, Tesla owned, according to the US Energy Information Administration 48.9% of the US EV market. The number is notable because Tesla no longer owns the "majority" of the market. Granted, what's left is split among numerous competitors, including major US auto manufacturers who, over the last few years, moved aggressively into the EV and Hybrid market. It hasn't all gone smoothly.

Earlier this year, Ford pulled back on its aggressive EV plans. Plus, consumers still appear more interested in half-measures. Hybrids, which combine combustion with one or two electric motors appear, based on recent United States Department of Transportation statistics, to be far out-pacing pure EV ones, which, is likely another cause for concern for Tesla.

The EV market continues to shift around Tesla, with more competitors offering comparable products that are, finally, approaching Tesla on the range front and often beating it on sticker price. The point is we now have choices. I know that when I finally make the EV move, it won't be with a Tesla. That's an important shift for me. I was a stalwart Tesla fan who wrote extensively about early Tesla Model S owners and remember fondly being among the first to experience a Model 3 test drive.

Now, though, I can't stomach the idea of enriching Elon Musk. I know Tesla employs over 140,000 people, and most of them probably don't agree with Musk's often publicly stated views, but he remains a highly visible and vocal leader.

On October 10, Musk is expected to finally launch his Tesla robo taxi. That event will be notable, I think, for its lack of direct consumer appeal. There'll be no Model 3 update or a cheaper Tesla. Affordable is not in Tesla's vocabulary. The company recently stopped selling the cheapest version of the Model 3.

I'd say there's no longer a point in waiting for a truly affordable Tesla. Generally, the automaker's appeal to everyday Americans is, I think, waning, and there may be no better evidence than the Cybertruck.

Over the last six months, I've noticed these awkward-looking vehicles in San Francisco and in New York. No matter when you see them, they look out of place. I've watched countless videos showing some of the odd and potentially dangerous design choices (like a hood that could almost remove a finger or edges that look likely to puncture something).

Considering all that, perhaps these recalls are unsurprising. The latest one from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration relates to rearview mirrors that deliver a feed from rear cameras as you back up. The problem, according to the NHTSA (PDF) is that when you start to back up, it takes an extra second for the feed to appear. Fortunately, the fix will arrive in an over-the-air software update.

Recalls are not inherently a disaster. Untold combustion engine vehicles get them. For Tesla, they're certainly not confined to the Cybertruck. The company has had dozens that range across its most popular models. Still, this is already the fifth recall for the relatively new Cybertruck and it often seems like the EV was built not based on practicality (watch it fail as a "truck"), or elegance but on the design whims and demands of Musk, who I think wanted something that looked more at home on the surface of Mars that it does on Earth.

When I see a Cybertruck rolling through my neighborhood, I don't admire it; I gawk. It always looks out of place. I also think I instantly know the driver, not personally, but who this person is. They're clearly someone who's bought into not just the Tesla EV strategy but Musk's perspective on trucks, modern transportation, and maybe his twisted worldview. Why else would you spend over $100,000 to drive something that looks like it's well-equipped to survive a nuclear blast but ill-prepared for a casual run to the grocery store?

Cybertruck screams, "Look at me," but as sentiment about Tesla changes in the EV market, that scream sounds increasingly like a cry of desperation, "Look at me, please, while I try to remain relevant."

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A select few Tesla Cybertruck owners have taken to the forums to boast about their vehicles finally gaining Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities – a technology that was promised alongside the massively delayed truck at launch, but has since taken ten months to arrive.

Posting on cybertruckownersclub.com, one user uploaded a short video of a Cybertruck seemingly driving itself around the city at night, with the user’s hands off the wheel for well over a minute. 

The owner then posted: "Boys and girls, the wait is finally over! It is real! It is here now! And it is spectacular!" alongside the clip.

However, a number of customers have been disgruntled at the length of time they have been forced to wait for technology that was sold as a feature rolled into the limited edition Foundation Series of vehicles.

Earlier this month, Tesla said that Cybertruck would also gain Auto Park functionality, but many models are still lacking the most basic Auto Pilot assisted cruise control, as well as the flashier Actually Smart Summon (ASS) features that some influential Model 3 owners gained access to earlier this month.

However, the company has been biding its time when rolling out the very latest version of the FSD software to ensure it works seamlessly with Cybertruck - generally a much larger and more complex vehicle than anything else in the Tesla stable.

After all, Tesla’s Autopilot features and various levels of 'supervised' autonomous driving modes have come under fire in recent years, with US auto-safety regulators claiming it had identified at least 13 fatal crashes in which the Autopilot feature had been involved since investigations were launched in 2021, according to The Guardian. 

Despite running on the very latest FSD 12.5.5 (most Teslas are running FSD 12.5.4), there is a caveat that states this remains an "early access" version of the software, meaning not all owners will get it and that there may be some bugs that still require ironing out. As a result, it is largely going out to Tesla employees and Early Access Testers, according to notable Tesla software-tracking website NotaTeslaApp.

There is no word on a wider roll-out of the update, only that it is expected to arrive in the coming weeks for those remaining Foundation Series Cybertruck owners that received Full Self-Driving as part of the limited-edition package. 

Going forward, the technology will likely become an optional extra as it is now when building and specifying other models in the Tesla line-up.

Patience is a virtue... when you are a Tesla owner

Tesla is unique in so much as many of its customers are happy to wait for features that were promised at time of launch to arrive. To compound matters, the company seemingly employs a hierarchy of importance, often rolling out these software updates to VIPs and other influential owners first.

But it is not just software that requires a serious amount of patience and self-restraint from owners, as Cybertruck has also been shipping without wheel covers, with many customers still waiting to receive them.

It is a similar story with the range extender battery, which many customers have paid a non-refundable deposit and joined a waiting list for, but production has been pushed into early 2025, so the wait could well be over a year.

Again, an off-road Lightbar accessory, which mounts to the top of the windshield and has to be fitted by a Tesla service center, has been promised several times but still not delivered to many customers.

While many early adopters are often happy to wait, feeling part of an exclusive Tesla club, the same rarely applies to the wider buying public. Over-promising and under-delivering has rarely been considered a strong sales tactic.

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Electric vehicles made in China could be banned in the US from 2027 if a proposed new rule is passed. The US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would prohibit the import and sale of vehicles and components made by manufacturers "with a sufficient nexus" to the People's Republic of China or Russia. 

The proposed rule focuses on specific elements in electric vehicle (EV) hardware and software, and the potentially malicious use of the information and data required by them. The Vehicle Connectivity System (VCS) allows cars to communicate externally through Bluetooth, cellular, satellite or Wi-Fi modules, while the Automated Driving System (ADS) allows a car to operate without a driver. This ban would encompass any parts imported for use in American-made cars, as well as those built into vehicles from China and Russia.

If passed without change, the only vehicles that would be exempt are those related to agricultural or mining purposes. And, while a senior Biden administration official says “[Chinese] and Russian automakers do not currently play a significant role in the US auto market", they believe it’s a necessary preventative strike given the sophistication of today's electric cars and their growing centrality.

A statement from the White House clarifies that, "These technologies include computer systems that control vehicle movement and collect sensitive driver and passenger data as well as cameras and sensors that enable automated driving systems and record detailed information about American infrastructure."

"While connected vehicles yield many benefits, the data security and cybersecurity risks posed by software and hardware components sourced from the PRC and other countries of concern are equally clear,” said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

It was only this month that the US increased tariffs on Chinese EV imports to 100%, and this rule comes as China's auto exports have boomed, increasing by more than 30% in the first six months of 2024 according to the Associated Press.

Though the proposal could still see change, if passed in its current state the new software ban would take effect on all vehicles with the model year 2027, with hardware provisions beginning with model year 2030.

More privacy, fewer options

This new rule can equally be viewed as a way to protect American electric vehicle manufacturing (and its considerably more expensive vehicles) as much as being about protecting Americans’ privacy and security.

Despite heavy tariffs, cars like the Volvo EX30 undercut the Tesla Model Y in some markets, and according to The Atlantic, the average price for an EV in China is about $18,000 cheaper than the United States. Lei Xing, former Chief Editor at China Auto Review, says "If the 100 percent tariffs on made-in-China EVs were a wall, the proposed ban on connected vehicles would be a death sentence for China EV Inc."

That's not to say these new rules aren’t without merit. With the cameras, GPS tracking, microphones and other technologies of modern EVs, “It doesn't take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of US citizens" said Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce.

However, Raimondo's speculation of China causing mayhem by shutting down "hundreds of thousands of Chinese connected vehicles" aren’t likely to occur any time soon, given the insignificant role Chinese and Russian automakers play in the US. According to Statista as of August 2024, Tesla makes up 82.5% of the U.S. EV market, with the American-owned Ford (3%) and Chevrolet (2.9%), South Korean Hyundai (2.2%), and German BMW (1.8%), Volkswagen (1.7%) and Mercedes-Benz (1.4%) leaving only 4.5% split between Nissan, Kia and other manufacturers.

This obviously isn't the first tech-related legal run-in between China and America. In 2022 equipment from Huawei and ZTE was banned, and Bytedance is still fighting the forced divesting of TikTok in court.

While the potential malicious use of American data is certainly something to be wary of, if this proposition becomes law the impact on EV pricing in the US could be significant. So, while this rule will see citizens remain protected against "countries of concern" using their data, they’d also miss out on some of the world’s cheapest electric vehicles.

Recent analysis of Tesla’s Supercharger network expansion has revealed that the number of new stations opened in May to August of this year fell by 28 per cent when compared to the same period in 2023.

The report by The Wall Street Journal quotes analysis from EVAdoption, a company that specializes in data and analysis for the EV and EV charging industry. It says that for the first eight months of 2024, the number of new stations opened was down by 11 per cent compared to the previous period.

This slowing of pace can be part attributed to the fact that Elon Musk fired the majority of the team responsible for Tesla charging in April of this year, despite the company receiving millions of dollars in US government funding to expand its network in those states lacking EV charging infrastructure.

According to the WSJ, this decimating of the Tesla Supercharger network team has led to many new network expansion projects being put on hold, with Tesla’s partners struggling to reach their contacts to discuss the next moves, as said contacts have moved on to pastures new.

The timing is particularly poor, as Elon Musk boldly promised to open the Tesla Supercharger network – often regarded as one of the best EV charging networks in the US and Europe – to owners of rival brand EVs last year.

Both Ford and Rivian were among the first to be granted access, but there have been reports of Ford not being able to meet demand for the charging adaptors required to top batteries up before it begins manufacturing its electric models with the NACS port as standard.

To compound matters further, any rival EV manufacturer wanting to use the Tesla charging network has to first be able to speak to it, which requires a software update rollout. General Motors, Volvo and Polestar have all been tipped to receive the updates this year, but are still waiting.

Analysis: Tesla risks losing its USP

Elon Musk has a difficult job in appeasing the massive Tesla community he has helped to build by ensuring a large chunk of the Supercharger network is still reserved for its customers.

But at the same time, Tesla is among the most pertinent beneficiaries of US government funding to improve the EV charging network for everyone. 

According to The Wall Street Journal Journal, the company has secured around $37 million in funding to build 88 Supercharger stations in the US alone.

However, Musk has previously stated that his company will continue to spend on improving and expanding the network, with $500 million set aside this year to do just that.

In the US, a large majority of the world’s biggest automakers have said that they will make the switch to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) in the coming years, which means there is going to be an influx of other EVs arriving at Tesla’s locations, something current owners aren’t particularly pleased about.

According to Tesla’s North American website, it will reserve more than 27,000 stalls purely for Tesla owners, with 15,000 for those with the NACS built in and a puny 500 stalls for those that require an adaptor to be provided on site.

But the message isn't so clear in other markets, with Tesla UK stating that it is starting to open up the network at "a select number of sites" so that the company can "review the experience, monitor congestion and assess feedback before expanding."

"Future sites will only be opened to other vehicles if there is available capacity," the company went on to explain.

Not for the first time, we are seeing mixed messaging from Tesla. It wants to make EV ownership easier for all, so long as it doesn't adversely affect its own business interests. But you could also argue that Tesla has long been the innovator in the EV space, creating one of the best networks in the world. Now it is time for others to take up the slack.

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We recently got a glimpse of what $1 billion worth of AI GPUs looks like when Elon Musk shared a brief video tour of Cortex, X's AI training supercomputer currently under construction at Tesla’s Giga Texas plant.

More recently, Musk took to his social media platform to announce that Colossus, a new 100k H100 training cluster, is now up and running.

Musk claims that Colossus is "the most powerful AI training system in the world" and that it was built "from start to finish" in just 122 days. That's quite an achievement. Servers for the xAI cluster were reportedly provided by Dell and Supermicro, with the cost of the project estimated to be between $3-4 billion.

Where does Colossus get its name?

Tom’s Hardware notes, “Although all of these clusters are formally operational and even training AI models, it is entirely unclear how many are actually online today. First, it takes some time to debug and optimize the settings of those superclusters. Second, X needs to ensure that they get enough power, and while Elon Musk's company has been using 14 diesel generators to power its Memphis supercomputer, they were still not enough to feed all 100,000 H100 GPUs.”

The Colossus system is poised to eventually double in capacity, with plans to incorporate an additional 100,000 GPUs - 50,000 H100 units and 50,000 of Nvidia's next-gen H200 chips. The supercluster will primarily be used to train xAI's Grok-3, the company's latest, most advanced AI model. We've yet to see any mention of storage for the new system, but it will need to be huge.

The naming of the new supercomputer has raised more than a few eyebrows, however, with people noting that it shares its name with a 1970 sci-fi movie (based on a 1966 novel by D.F. Jones) about a supercomputer that becomes sentient after being given control of the US nuclear arsenal. Things, predictably, go horribly wrong for humanity.

Both the novel and film explore timely themes of AI autonomy, the dangers of relinquishing control to machines, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. It’s possible that Musk wasn’t aware of this when the name was chosen for his new AI training system, and it might have been selected purely to emphasize the sheer scale of the supercluster. Then again, with Musk's track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if the reference was entirely intentional - he knows exactly what he’s doing.

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Californian EV manufacturer Lucid held a Technology and Manufacturing Day event this week, where it unveiled more information about its upcoming Gravity SUV, as well as hinting at more affordable models that will arrive in 2026 and beyond.

The company, which currently only offers its Air model – an EV that has won many plaudits for its class-leading electric range and battery efficiency – will expand into the popular SUV market with the Gravity, due to arrive later this year.

Lucid confirmed that model will come with a native Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS), meaning it will be able to make the most of Tesla’s Supercharger charging network. 

Gravity, which offers at least 440 miles of range and more than 800bhp in some models, is expected start at around $80,000 (around £61,000 / AU$120,000), but much like the Air model, more extreme performance figures and trim specifications can see that figure skyrocket to in excess of $250,000 (or around £191,000/AU$374,000).

It is expected that Gravity pricing will follow a similar pattern, but in order to remain competitive over the coming years, Lucid also offered a sneak preview at an upcoming midsize platform that will underpin a new crossover model.

Hotly tipped to square off against Tesla’s popular Model Y, Lucid claims this upcoming EV will deliver "the same range as competitors while using a smaller battery”. It is also scheduled to start production in late 2026, with a starting price under $50,000.

This move to more affordable electric vehicles puts the company in prime position to take the fight to Tesla, arguably its closest competitor in terms of overall vision, technological advancements and its commitment to pure electric cars, with Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson telling The Verge that he feels hybrids “offer the worst of all”.

Taking the fight to Tesla

Earlier this year, Lucid announced that it received another $1.5bn in funding from its largest shareholder, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, in order to weather the global cooling off in EV demand and assist in launching its latest Gravity model.

As a result, its upcoming smaller and more affordable EV is destined to be manufactured in Saudi Arabia, while it has also hinted at a brace of upcoming models that will take on Tesla’s Model 3, as well as a move into a "more ruggedized category", according to CEO Rawlinson in that same interview with The Verge.

With Lucid’s reputation for offering a rock-solid electric range and the latest in-car tech, it is well placed to enter the more competitive mass EV market, which is still dominated by Elon Musk’s Tesla.

But with the company’s enigmatic CEO seemingly distracted by politics and saving his social media empire, a number of shareholders have publicly cited their reasons for selling up, with the general consensus being that the company has lost its focus on driving the EV market forward and promoting cleaner transportation in general. 

Lucid has already made waves in the industry with a great product, and with the promise of a rapidly expanding range of more affordable vehicles, as well as a push into European markets, it looks like it is on course to become a major player and perhaps the company Tesla once promised. 

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Tesla is looking to replace the widely-used Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) with its own offering.

The company says Tesla Transport Protocol over Ethernet (TTPoE) is designed to support high-speed, low-latency communication, especially in environments where reliable data transfer is essential. 

TTPoE, integral to Tesla’s DOJO supercomputer, is optimized for the specific demands of Tesla’s systems, but Elon Musk’s firm is promoting it as a potential new standard for broader use beyond its own operations.

UltraEthernet Consortium

TTPoE is executed entirely in hardware and aids efficient data transmission across Ethernet networks without requiring special switches, instead using standard Layer 2 transport. Unlike lossless RDMA networks, TTPoE anticipates packet loss and includes mechanisms to retry transmissions, making it distinct from traditional protocols like TCP or UDP.

TTPoE offers enhanced security features, such as encryption and authentication, to protect data integrity. This makes it particularly useful in automotive and industrial applications where managing large data sets securely and efficiently is essential.

The protocol also supports scalability, allowing it to meet the growing data demands of modern electric vehicles, including those needed for autonomous driving and over-the-air updates.

The latest information about TTPoE comes from ServeTheHome, which reported on Tesla’s presentation at the Hot Chips 2024 symposium in Stanford, California. Tesla shared details about TTPoE’s architecture and suggested that TTPoE could offer lower one-way write latency over switches, including NVLink. It also announced its participation in the UltraEthernet Consortium (UEC).

You can view some of the slides Tesla shared over at ServeTheHome. The site’s Patrick Kennedy noted, “This is one of those interesting talks, but at some point it would be cool if this was used beyond just DOJO. It feels like a lot of lifting to do making custom NICs, custom protocols, and so forth for a system and not trying to benefit from economies of scale. It was cool to see that Tesla is bringing this to the UltraEthernet Consortium.”

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We love a good look inside a supercomputer, with one of our recent favorites being the glimpse Nvidia gave us of Eos, the ninth fastest supercomputer on the planet.

Now, Elon Musk has provided a peek at the massive AI supercluster, newly dubbed Cortex, being used by X (formerly Twitter).

The supercluster, currently under construction at Tesla’s Giga Texas plant, is set to house 70,000 AI servers, with an initial power and cooling requirement of 130 megawatts, scaling up to 500 megawatts by 2026.

Tesla's AI strategy

In the video, embedded below, Musk shows rows upon rows of server racks, potentially holding up to 2,000 GPU servers - just a fraction of the 50,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs and 20,000 Tesla hardware units expected to eventually populate Cortex. The video, although brief, offers a rare inside look at the infrastructure that will soon drive Tesla’s most ambitious AI projects.

Cortex is being developed to advance Tesla’s AI capabilities, particularly for training the Full Self-Driving (FSD) autopilot system used in its cars and the Optimus robot, an autonomous humanoid set for limited production in 2025. The supercluster's cooling system, featuring massive fans and Supermicro-provided liquid cooling, is designed to handle the extensive power demands, which, Tom's Hardware points out, is comparable to a large coal power plant.

Cortex is part of Musk's broader strategy to deploy several supercomputers, including the operational Memphis Supercluster, which is powered by 100,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, and the upcoming $500 million Dojo supercomputer in Buffalo, New York.

Despite some delays in upgrading to Nvidia's latest Blackwell GPUs, Musk's aggressive acquisition of AI hardware shows how keen Tesla is to be at the forefront of AI development.

The divisive billionaire said earlier this year the company was planning to spend "over a billion dollars" on Nvidia and AMD hardware this year alone just to stay competitive in the AI space.

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So you just leased or purchased your first EV? Congratulations! Or maybe you’re borrowing or renting an EV for the first time? Fun! You already know the basics – like the difference between level 1, level 2, and DC fast charging – and you’ve downloaded all the charging apps, but now you’re looking for pro tips. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s go over some best practices to charge your EV in the smartest way possible.

Charge at home or at work (if possible)

This one’s a no-brainer: if you drive an EV, charge at home or at work (or both) – if you can. It’s by far the cheapest and most convenient way to charge. Plus, there’s nothing better than waking up to a “full tank of electrons”. And if you charge at work, chances are it’s free or subsidized by your employer. You might not even need access to a dedicated level 2 charger – even a regular outlet (level 1) will give your EV 4-5 miles of extra range per hour.

Depending on how far you commute – or, if you work from home, how many errands you run every day – level 1 charging might just be enough. Also, contrary to popular belief, many people – myself included – can’t charge at home or at work, yet still drive an EV. This isn’t really a problem if you have access to DC fast charging within a 10-mile radius of where you live. It just requires a different mindset, and a willingness to change your habits.

The idea is to be opportunistic. Anytime your EV is parked somewhere is a good time to charge – especially if you can’t charge at home. So familiarize yourself with charger locations where you live, work, and run errands, and prioritize free charging. Embrace this approach, and charging will soon become second nature and won’t feel like a hassle.

Charge off peak or for free

Whether you charge at home or somewhere else, it’s always best to charge during off-peak hours. That usually means charging overnight, between midnight and 6AM. Check with your local utility, set your EV’s charging schedule accordingly, and you might see rates as low as $0.09/kWh when charging at home, depending on where you live. That means charging the 81kWh pack in a Model Y from 20 to 80% for less than $5.00.

Same thing with DC fast charging. Take the Tesla Supercharger in Federal Way, WA (near SeaTac airport), for example. It only costs $0.22/kWh to charge there between midnight and 6AM, but rises to $0.59/kWh from noon to 8PM. For night owls like me, who can’t charge at home, this is perfect. I just drive to the nearest DC fast charger after midnight, work on my laptop, or watch Netflix on my EV’s center screen for 20 minutes later, and I’m done.

Another thing to look out for is free level 2 charging like what Shell Recharge (formerly Volta Charging) offers. It’s often available at shopping malls, box stores, and other businesses. Some parking lots also provide free level 2 charging (or outlets for level 1 charging) – like at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Use long-term parking for that 72-hour business trip, plug in, and come back to a fully-charged EV.

Check charger pricing, availability, and speed

You probably check the price of gas before filling up, and pick the most affordable option, right? The same thing applies when charging your EV. It’s always a good idea to look at charging prices – along with charging speed and availability – before heading to a station. Apps like PlugShare show you stations nearby, at your destination, and anywhere in between. You can then use the charging app for each network to confirm pricing, speed, and availability.

Charging speed matters because if you have a fast-charging EV like a Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6, which can routinely charge at 230kW, you don’t want to be stuck charging at 150kW or less. Likewise, if you’re driving a Chevy Bolt, which maxes out at 55kW, you won’t be charging faster at 350kW than at 150kW, despite the larger number. Basically, you don’t want to hog a 350kW charger that would benefit someone with a faster-charging EV.

Also, be aware of the difference between per-kWh pricing and per-minute pricing. Per-minute pricing is problematic because it generally penalizes slower-charging EVs. In addition, avoid chargers with session fees (an additional flat fee for using the station). Some charging networks offer monthly subscriptions that lower the per kWh or per-minute price and are worth considering if you regularly charge on the same network.

Use route planning software for road trips

If you’re doing a road trip you’ll want to use route planning software, like the built-in navigation system in your EV, or – better yet – an app like A Better Route Planner. Most EVs have some kind of route planning built into the infotainment system, but in my experience only Tesla and Rivian do this well – at least for now. As I recently wrote, things are improving rapidly on this front as more EVs get access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.

What’s critical to understand is that proper route planning needs to take into account a broad range of parameters such as your battery’s state-of-charge and temperature, your EV’s range, your driving style, alongside the weather, topography, traffic, and availability of chargers along the route – some of which requires access to real-time data from the charging networks. Plus, ideally, you want routing to be updated in real-time.

Doing a road trip in an EV is not difficult, but does require route planning software – whether it’s bulletproof and seamless like what Tesla and Rivian deliver, or whether you’re using a third-party app. While it’s different from doing a road trip in a gas vehicle, and it’s unfamiliar at first, you’ll quickly get the hang of it, and it will become second nature.

Don’t charge beyond 80% (in general)

Your EV’s battery is a marvel of engineering and is designed to be reliable for up to 20 years and up to 400k miles without any maintenance. There are many older, high-mileage EVs on the roads today still using their original battery. But that doesn’t mean EV batteries don’t wear out. They lose capacity over time, typically at a rate of about 2% per year, and degrade faster when you charge them more often.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to preserve the life and long-term performance of your EV battery. While the LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries found in some EVs (short-range Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, for example) can be charged repeatedly to 100% capacity without any risk of wear, the majority NMC and NCA (nickel cobalt-based) should not be charged to 100% on a regular basis.

In addition, charging speeds aren’t linear but decrease rapidly as the state of charge increases. For example, while charging your EV from 10% to 30% might only take five minutes, charging from 80% to 100% will take 20 minutes on the same DC fast charger. Since charging beyond 80% is both slow and increases the risk of degradation for the majority of EV batteries, it’s generally not a good idea to charge your EV beyond 80%.

Use battery preconditioning

Like humans, lithium-ion batteries perform best at temperatures around 72F (22C) – especially while charging. As such, most modern EVs can heat and cool their batteries to keep them near those temperatures before charging. This is called battery preconditioning, and it helps achieve the fastest charging speeds. Some EVs do this automatically when you navigate to a charger, while some EVs have a button for it. So, if your EV includes this feature, use it.

Be smart about charging

So there you have it – a few pro tips to charge your EV in the smartest way possible. Charge at home or work if you can, charge off-peak or for free, check charger pricing, availability, and speed, use route planning software for road trips, don’t charge beyond 80%, and use battery preconditioning. Yes, EV charging requires changing your mindset, and a willingness to change your habits, but it’s not rocket science.

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Elon Musk held Tesla’s second quarterly earnings call of 2024 earlier this week, where he delivered the news to investors that net income had fallen by 45 per cent and that its deliveries of electric vehicles had decreased, according to The Financial Times.

As a result, Tesla’s share price tumbled 10 per cent when trading opened on Wednesday, but CEO Elon Musk brushed the bad news aside and used the platform to talk up some big future plans.

Although the reveal of Tesla's Robotaxi project is now officially delayed until October (we were expecting to see it in August), Musk said that turning his vehicles into a "giant autonomous fleet" would turn the company's financial situation around, suggesting it could increase its current valuation six times over.

But that wasn’t all, as Elon went on to divulge big plans for 2025 and beyond. Here’s what he promised, and the likelihood of it actually materializing.

6. Autonomous vehicles

• Likelihood rating: 1/5

Musk is pushing his Full Self-Driving technology hard at the moment, betting much of Tesla’s future on the fact that we will all be kicking back while our vehicles do all of the hard work in the coming years.

Musk has used the phrase “by the end of the year” every year since 2019 with regards to achieving true self-driving and didn’t break with tradition during the recent earnings call. 

Currently, its FSD software requires the driver to pay attention at all times and be ready to take over, which means it is little more than an accomplished cruise control system. Musk said he would be "surprised" if Tesla doesn’t have unsupervised self-driving next year.

Although fully autonomous vehicles and robo-taxis are currently being put to work in certain parts of the word, they are still heavily monitored and are only permitted to operate in very strict geo-fenced locations. 

Similarly, those passenger vehicles that allow for "hands-off, eyes-off" driving are again limited to a very strict set of criteria – typically when crawling in highway traffic.

Sure, Tesla might be able to convince legislators to allow some level of autonomy, but fully “unsupervised” autonomous driving in passenger cars is still a long way off… for everyone. 

5. Optimus Robot

• Likelihood rating: 2/5

Tesla's humanoid robot that is able to carry out repetitive or dangerous tasks was destined for production and general sale for 2025, but this project has, like so many in the Tesla book, been pushed back.

Musk revealed that the second generation of its Optimus robot would go into “low production for Tesla internal use next year” and likely won’t be offered to external companies in a mass produced state until 2026.

So fret not, robot aren’t coming for you jobs just yet. 

4. Tesla Roadster

• Likelihood rating: 2/5 

The next generation Roadster was revealed back in 2017 and we are still waiting with bated breath for a proper update on the project. Alas, Musk reiterated that it would go "into production" next year during the recent earnings call, which is surprising given that it has been delayed every year since its initial unveil.

Elon has previously boasted about its sub 2-second 0-60mph sprint time, it’s 250+mph top speed and the fact that rocket thrusters could even see it fly for short periods of time, but we haven't even seen one do laps of a parking lot yet, so take all that with a pinch of salt.

3. Affordable EVs

• Likelihood rating: 3/5

The news media went wild when it caught wind of a sub-$25,000 Tesla on the horizon, suggesting that a Model 2 could prop up the range and provide an all-electric alternative for mass EV adoption.

However, Musk subsequently shelved plans to introduce a new “unboxed” manufacturing process, which he said would reduce production costs that could then be passed on to the consumer – a key point for any affordable EV. 

The company then confirmed that Robotaxi will be the only vehicle due to ride on an all-new platform, suggesting nay hint of a Model 2 is dead in the water.

Despite this, Musk said that "more affordable models remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025" during the earnings call. Whether that means cheaper versions of existing models or an all-new badge is yet to be seen.

2. Robotaxis

• Likelihood rating: 3/5

The first unveiling of Tesla’s Robotaxi has already been delayed, and the company’s hype man confirmed that we won’t be seeing the project in the flesh until October this year. But even that date could be up for negotiation.

During the earnings call, Musk was characteristically vague about specific timelines and wouldn’t be pinned down on when we will actually be able to see it in action, stating that the company will be able to give its first rides "when [we can] do unsupervised full self-driving," which we’ve already learnt won’t be until next year… or the year after that… or the year after that.

We're anticipating seeing a Robotaxi concept next year certainly, hence the three-star likelihood rating, but a fully working network could still be a long way off.

1. Tesla Semi

• Likelihood rating: 4/5

Tesla has been testing and refining its big electric 18-wheeler for some time now, officially handing over one of the first models to PepsiCo back in 2022. But the company has been eerily quiet about how many it has produced or sold since then.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum claimed that his company sold 15 electric rigs for every one Tesla managed to sell. He went on to explain that the EV company lacked the scale, product portfolio and service network required to truly compete. 

But during the earnings call, Musk said the Semi was on track to "begin production" by the end of 2025, suggesting those models that have found homes are still pre-production units.

Following a $3.6billion investment in its factory in Nevada, Tesla looks poised to begin pushing the project in earnest next year.

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After months of debate, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe recently told The Verge’s Decoder podcast that the door for Apple CarPlay integration in the company's vehicles has been well and truly closed.

Like Tesla, Rivian wants to forge its own path when it comes to the in-vehicle user experience, leaning on its in-house software engineers to "fully capture every feature that's in CarPlay," according to the man himself.

"We just believe that it’s such an important piece of real estate, the digital ecosystem, that it was something we want to retain," Scaringe went on to tell Decoder host Nilay Patel.

But overarching public opinion seems to go against this notion. During WWDC 2022, Apple's former engineering manager Emily Schubert said that 79 per cent of US buyers would only buy a car if it supported CarPlay. 

Sure, that might just be Apple blowing an Apple-shaped trumpet, but internal research by Porsche also revealed an "overwhelming" number of its customers use iPhones and demanded more functionality within the Apple ecosystem when driving their cars. 

As a result, Porsche is among the first to allow Apple to integrate deeper into the UI of its upcoming vehicles.

So why is Rivian running away from it? RJ Scaringe claims CarPlay doesn’t have deep enough capabilities to leverage other parts of the vehicle experience. In other words, drivers would have to exit the CarPlay ecosystem to, for example, open the ‘frunk’.

But this begs the question: why not just have a physical button inside the cabin that does this? Car designers will claim it "declutters" an interior and leads to a more visually appealing space, while those in charge of manufacturing will attest to the fact it saves complication and therefore money.

However, this drive for ever-more software within vehicles (particularly from those Californian tech start-ups) often feels like a personal quest, rather than a consumer-facing decision. 

A study by WhatCar? in the UK found that nine out of 10 motorists preferred a car with physical buttons, rather than everything committed to touchscreen. 

This is a painful point that Volkswagen was forced to take on board when it received serious backlash from customers and reviewers, as they rallied against its early ID range of electric vehicles and their distinct – and often frustrating – lack of physical buttons.

Even Euro NCAP, which is the leading expert in crash safety for European car manufacturers, says that it will start punishing OEMs for committing too much vehicle functionality to screen, citing the fact that it is distracting and dangerous.

Cars aren’t phones 

Until true SAE Level 5 driverless cars become a reality, the automobile as we know it isn’t a smartphone on wheels – no matter how much modern manufacturers try and tell you it is. 

As the law (and common sense) sees it, we still need to be in control and not texting, firing off Instagram posts or bingeing a boxset. However, data is the next big revenue stream for car companies, which is why so many of them are hellbent on keeping drivers within their own software ecosystems. 

Why should Apple and Google get an insight into your every move, when Rivian and Tesla can leverage that information for financial gain?

It is true that manufacturers, particularly those of today's EVs, can offer more detailed functionality when drivers embrace their software, with the likes of Tesla able to reveal how busy its Supercharger sites are when drivers choose to use the company’s mapping, for example.

But for so many drivers, the smartphones in their pockets already host the best mapping, podcast, entertainment and communication tools for daily use, so most simply want to mirror that experience. Ferrari isn't even bothering to develop its in-house navigation any more.

Apple CarPlay, to cite just one example, is already offering much deeper vehicle functionality into its ecosystem, so should theoretically negate the need for users to jump in and out of two different interfaces to control important vehicle features.

That said, what’s wrong with just having a physical button or dial to control the lights and adjust the air-con... or in Rivian’s case, open the frunk?

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Tesla's Optimus robot is developing at a pace that might even startle some robotics fans. It's walking faster and even has a factory job. Maybe it'll run next and, if you believe Tesla CEO Elon Musk, even babysit your kids.

Hold on there. What?!

During a lengthy and sometimes rambling Tesla shareholders meeting on June 20, 2024, Musk walked through the market potential of its Optimus humanoid robot. 

Musk believes his Optimus robot could help Tesla's bottom line by selling at $20,000 a pop and in the billions. How he came up with that number is a bit unclear, but he started with how the car market sells around 100 million vehicles a year and extrapolated from there.

If there's a robot for every person, he might be right, and you can't blame Musk for some irrational exuberance. As Musk noted, "Now, admittedly I’m a little optimistic sometimes. You know, I don’t have a complete lack of self-awareness. But if I wasn’t optimistic, this wouldn’t exist this factory wouldn’t exist."

And then Musk crossed the red line. He explained that Optimus is designed to do virtually anything you want it to do. Optimus "can be your companion, it can be at your house, it can sort of babysit your kids. It can teach them...," Musk told the shareholders.

You caught that, right? Okay, he says "sort of," but you've seen Optimus (and other similarly designed humanoid robots); I doubt you want them anywhere near your babies.

Musks's comments come a week after Tela released an update video showing Optimus walking less haltingly than previous models through Tesla's offices (it still can't trot or parkour). It even shows Optimus at work in its first Tesla factory job, where it appears to be employed in packaging. In the video, it places small containers in a box.

At one point, the robot misplaces and then carefully realigns a jar. All of its motions are slow, deliberate, and passionless.

It's not that I think Optimus will drop or harm your baby (I have no idea), but a cold, metal, and plastic automaton should not be holding, hugging, and burping your baby. Perhaps Musk would like his robot to care for one of his 11 children. Admittedly, he has his hands full and could use the help. Robots, though, are not the answer.

More pragmatically, it's this kind of rhetoric that could turn off potentially willing humanoid robot customers. Yes, as Musk noted, we want C-3PO and R2-D2. There are a lot of boring, hard, and even dangerous jobs around the home. I wouldn't mind a robot that could handle all those spam calls. No one that I know wants a robot to take over our most human of tasks.

I'm not a fan of adults handing small children their phones or tablets to "babysit" them, but at least no one expects these devices to watch and care for small children. Usually, their sole responsibility is distraction so the parents can have a moment's peace.

Don't expect Optimus to arrive at your local daycare center anytime soon. Musk predicted possibly limited production by 2025, and even then, Tesla might only produce 1,000 robots a year.

"We're gonna make sure these robots are nice to us. That's very important," said Musk, and that's a worthy goal. Also, keep your damn, dirty robot hands off my babies.

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I’ve written before about the switch to NACS (North American Charging Standard) that’s taking place in the US and Canada. NACS is the charging system created by Tesla for use with its EVs and its vast Supercharger network in North America. Last year, pretty much all auto manufacturers agreed to switch from CCS1 – the previous charging standard – to NACS, and struck a deal with Tesla to access its Supercharger network.

There are several benefits to this transition. At the time of writing, Tesla’s Supercharger network counts about 26,000 DC fast chargers (NACS), while Electrify America – the second largest charging network – offers just 4,000 DC fast chargers (CCS1). While only 70% of Superchargers are compatible with non-Tesla EVs, it’s clear that having access to Tesla’s Supercharging network is a significant advantage.

In addition, with 99.97% uptime, the reliability of Tesla’s Supercharger network is significantly better than other US charging networks, which struggle to achieve just 75% uptime. Tesla’s Supercharger locations also have more stalls (usually eight, and often many more) than the competition, reducing potential wait times. Finally, the NACS plug is easier to handle than the bulky and awkward CCS1 plug, especially for people with disabilities.

Obviously, this switch will take a few years, and will initially require an adapter to allow CCS1 EVs to charge on NACS chargers like Tesla’s Superchargers. It will also require manufacturers to update the software in their EVs to support Tesla’s Superchargers with features like plug-and-charge, routing, and automatic payment. Tesla aside, the only two manufacturers that have access to the Supercharger network so far are Rivian and Ford.

Rivian and Ford have entered the chat

As a Tesla owner of six years who often road trips up and down the West Coast, I’m familiar with the company’s Supercharger experience. It’s simply outstanding – a testament to Tesla’s vertically integrated ecosystem. So I was curious to find out what the Supercharger experience was like for Rivian and Ford drivers. To try it out, I borrowed an R1S – complete with a CCS1 to NACS adapter – from Rivian’s press fleet for a few days.

Unfortunately, Ford didn’t have a CCS1 to NACS adapter available for any of the EVs in its press fleet, so I ended up talking with Liv Leigh and Patrick Anderson of the Mach-E VLOG, a YouTube channel that covers Ford EVs in-depth, to find out the ins and outs of charging Ford EVs with Tesla Superchargers. Here’s what I learned.

Charging is as easy as 1, 2, 3

I’ll get into more details on how to find Tesla Superchargers below. But basically, on Rivian EVs, you can look for Superchargers using the navigation system on the center screen (just like on Tesla EVs), while on Ford EVs you have to use the Public Charging app in the infotainment display. You can also use the Rivian or FordPass apps on your phone, or a third-party app like PlugShare, which catalogs every EV charger worldwide.

Once you arrive at a Supercharger, simply find an empty stall, connect the CCS1 to NACS adapter to the charging cord, and plug the adapter into your EV’s charging port. Charging begins within a few seconds. This is called plug-and-charge because you don’t have to use an app or credit card to initiate charging. In fact, charging starts about as quickly as it does with Tesla EVs – and much faster than with other DC fast chargers.

It’s worth mentioning that plug-and-charge isn’t unique to Superchargers, but Tesla’s implementation is significantly more speedy and robust. There’s one caveat, however. Tesla EVs all have their charging port on the left side in the rear, so most Superchargers stalls are designed to be backed into. Rivian and Ford EVs all have their charging port on the left side but in the front, so you’ll have to pull forward into Superchargers stalls.

Since Superchargers were designed for Tesla EVs, they have short charging cords. As a result, you’ll be forced to use the Supercharger meant for the stall on your left, essentially taking up two stalls. Obviously, it’s important to be mindful of this and to try to park your Rivian or Ford EV in such a way as to avoid taking up two stalls – like on the right end of a row of Superchargers, or the other side of a row of stalls.

Payment is mostly seamless

One of the big differences between Tesla Superchargers and other DC fast chargers is that most Superchargers don’t have a display or credit card reader. This is changing with v4 Superchargers, but few of these exist today. As such, plug-and-charge is the primary way to initiate charging on Superchargers with Rivian and Ford EVs. The other option is to use the Tesla app, but that’s less convenient.

So how does payment work? It’s handled automatically through your Rivian and or Ford account, so it’s seamless for plug-and-charge – just like with Tesla EVs. Automatic payment is where the partnership with Tesla really pays off (pardon the pun). But there are some drawbacks. By default, non-Tesla EVs pay a higher price per kWh than Tesla EVs, though Tesla offers a $12.99 per month Supercharging membership that restores price parity.

The problem is that you don’t benefit from your membership when using plug-and-charge with Rivian and Ford EVs. Right now, the only way to take advantage of your membership is to use the Tesla app to initiate charging – something that’s not remotely as seamless as just plugging in. It’s unclear when Rivian and Ford will support the Supercharging membership via plug-and-charge, but I presume it’s coming at some point.

Route planning is a work in progress

Route planning is another area where the Supercharger experience differs between Tesla, Rivian, and Ford EVs. Last year, I explained how critical it is for auto manufacturers to vertically integrate software, hardware, and services to deliver the best possible EV experience. Tesla’s route planning software is a prime example of how Tesla’s EVs and the Supercharger network function together as an ecosystem. I wrote:

“Say you want to drive between San Francisco and New York City. As soon as you enter your destination (by typing or using voice commands), Tesla’s route planning software looks at your current state of charge and battery temperature, and, knowing your car’s range, your driving style, the topography, weather, and traffic along the route, plus how busy the charging stations are, it maps out every charging stop along the way.

It tells you where you’ll stop and for how long, and shows you the cost and what amenities are available nearby. Better yet, the software will update the routing in real time as you’re driving and even pre-condition your car’s battery (heat it to the right temperature for fastest charging). At any given time Tesla knows how busy any Supercharger is, what stalls are available, and how many cars are in-route towards it.”

Rivian’s navigation system lets you locate compatible Tesla Superchargers (note: only 250kW v3 and v4 Superchargers are compatible with Rivian and Ford EVs) and check pricing and availability (empty stalls). Once you enter a destination, Rivian’s route planning software maps out every charging stop along the way, using Superchargers, Rivian Adventure Network DC fast chargers, and third-party DC fast chargers.

You can even filter out certain charging networks to plan a route using only Superchargers, for example. Regardless of which charging network you choose, Rivian’s software will pre-condition your EV’s battery for faster charging. You can also use the Rivian app to find Tesla Superchargers or plan trips. Unlike Tesla, Rivian’s route planning software does not account for how busy charging stations are (empty stalls).

Ford’s integration with Tesla’s Superchargers isn’t as polished as Rivian’s. The only way to locate Superchargers is to use the Public Charging app in the infotainment display or the FordPass app on your phone. Both will let you check pricing and availability (empty stalls). Unfortunately, Ford’s route planning software doesn’t include Superchargers yet, and it’s the only way to activate battery pre-conditioning.

As such, if you want to plan a trip with a Ford EV that includes Tesla Superchargers, you can’t simply use the navigation system or the FordPass app on your phone. Instead, you’ll have to use a third-party phone app like A Better Route Planner, and you won’t have any way to manually pre-condition your EV’s battery for faster charging. Obviously, that’s far from ideal, but I’m sure Ford is working on fixing this.

Is it worth it?

No doubt being able to charge at Tesla Superchargers is a game changer for Rivian and Ford EV drivers. Supercharger support basically triples the number DC fast chargers available to Rivian and Ford EVs during road trips, adding over 16,000 ultra-reliable and ubiquitous Superchargers to the map. This requires a CCS1 to NACS adapter, which Rivian and Ford are making available to owners for free.

Charging is as easy as plugging in, and payment is automatic, but route planning is one area where the Supercharger experience differs between Tesla, Rivian, and Ford EVs. Rivian’s route planning software is the closest to Tesla’s and only lacks some functionality, like the ability to take into account availability (empty stalls). Ford’s route planning software doesn’t include Superchargers yet, which is a bummer.

I’m sure that in time, OTA (over the air) software updates will remedy these shortcomings. Regardless, it's clear that Supercharger access is a competitive advantage for both Rivian and Ford today. I can’t wait for the other auto manufacturers to join the party!

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