Full Self-Driving Diary: A longtime Tesla driver’s perspective on FSD beta

After a month of safe and cautious driving, I finally achieved a Safety Score of 99 last week, and shortly thereafter, I was granted access to the Full Self-Driving Beta for my 2021 Model Y. The experience with the FSD Beta over the last seven days has made a few things clear: it’s very much… Continue reading Full Self-Driving Diary: A longtime Tesla driver’s perspective on FSD beta

Electric vehicle battery cost falls to $132 per kWh, but it might go up from there

The cost of electric vehicle battery packs has fallen to $132 per kWh – continuing decades of cost improvements. However, it might go up over the next year as increased material prices are catching up to incremental cost improvements. Price per kWh is the metric used to track the price of batteries. It can be… Continue reading Electric vehicle battery cost falls to $132 per kWh, but it might go up from there

Tesla enables in-car purchases and subscriptions

Tesla has started to enable in-car purchases and subscriptions in its latest software updates. Owners can buy a ‘Premium Connectivity’ straight from their center console inside Tesla vehicles. Over the years, Tesla has started to find opportunities to sell upgrades to its owners by unlocking software features inside its vehicles. Originally, owners needed to log… Continue reading Tesla enables in-car purchases and subscriptions

Nissan unveils ‘Ambition 2030’ electric car plan – are they finally coming back to EVs?

Nissan has announced a new electrification plan intending to bring the company into the electric age with four new concepts, $17 billion in investment over five years (including solid state batteries), and 15 fully electric models by 2030. Ambition 2030 also includes targets for Nissan’s future sales mix. In the next five years (by 2026),… Continue reading Nissan unveils ‘Ambition 2030’ electric car plan – are they finally coming back to EVs?

Tesla withdraws application for $1B in subsidies for German factory, Musk implies they don’t want it

Tesla has withdrawn an application for over $1 billion in subsidies for battery production at Gigafactory Berlin. CEO Elon Musk appears to imply that Tesla withdrew because they don’t want government subsidies, but there are other theories. After announcing plans to build a large electric vehicle factory in Berlin, Tesla confirmed that the project would… Continue reading Tesla withdraws application for $1B in subsidies for German factory, Musk implies they don’t want it

Tesla is investing almost $200 million to expand Gigafactory Shanghai and hire 4,000 people

Tesla has indicated that it plans to invest almost $200 million to expand Gigafactory Shanghai and hire 4,000 more people. Gigafactory Shanghai has been an incredible success story for Tesla. The automaker achieved an annualized production capacity of 500,000 electric vehicles at Gigafactory Shanghai within two years of starting production at the new factory. It… Continue reading Tesla is investing almost $200 million to expand Gigafactory Shanghai and hire 4,000 people

A Tesla Model S Plaid becomes first to hit 8-second quarter-mile

A Tesla Model S Plaid has become the first Tesla vehicle to hit an eight-second quarter-mile. By some definition, it’s also the first “production car” to achieve a quarter-mile time under nine full seconds. It depends on your definition of a “production car,” which varies in the drag racing community. Some believe that it’s a… Continue reading A Tesla Model S Plaid becomes first to hit 8-second quarter-mile

Tesla unveils $20,000 Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit for Model S Plaid

Tesla has unveiled the first new track-ready accessory kit for Model S Plaid: a $20,000 Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit. The Model S Plaid has been on the market for half a year and it has already impressed many with its incredible performance. Aside from the $1 million limited-production Rimac Nevera, it’s the quickest production car… Continue reading Tesla unveils $20,000 Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit for Model S Plaid

Tesla increases prices globally as supply chain issues persist

Tesla has increased Model 3 and Model Y prices in several more international markets, including some critical ones like China and Canada. Pressure from supply chain problems is assumed to be responsible. Over the last year, Electrek has consistently covered price increases to Tesla’s lineup in the US, where the automaker has incrementally increased prices… Continue reading Tesla increases prices globally as supply chain issues persist

Tesla asks Full Self-Driving Beta drivers to accept being recorded in case of a crash or ‘safety risk’

Tesla is now asking owners getting into the Full Self-Driving Beta program to accept that Tesla can use footage from both inside and outside the car in case of a safety risk or accident. It’s the first time that Tesla will attach footage to specific individuals. For years now, Tesla has been using footage from… Continue reading Tesla asks Full Self-Driving Beta drivers to accept being recorded in case of a crash or ‘safety risk’