Tesletter - Issue 127 - Chime if you love me

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Issue 127 - Chime if you love me

Software & Hardware

'Green traffic light chime' and 'Visual speed limits recognition' in 2020.36 📹

A new software update is coming soon with more improvements on Autopilot and FSD. Check out the videos in the link to see the new features in action. Here's what you can expect:

Green traffic light chime (video)
Speed assist improvements, or introducing the usage of the cameras to detect speed limit signs (video)
Cruise set speed improvements
Autosteer stop sign and stop light warning

Getting ready for the winter weather!

Need a safe jack to get ready for swapping winter tires? We got you. A Tesla-specific jack pad is included with each stand. Fits Tesla's official lifting point for Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. Purchase 2 and get FREE shipping. Easy peasy.

Model Y MIC ahead of schedule

The first Model Y made in China has been spotted. Tesla started taking Model Y orders in China just three months ago and deliveries were supposed to start, at the earliest, the first few months of 2021. This may be changing now? Incredible that the Giga 3 started construction just at the beginning of 2019.

New video game and user interface team being built in Austin

Tesla is building a new video game, software, and user interface team out of Austin. Electrek has found several job listings unrelated to the factory showing that Tesla is building a new software team around video games and user interface in Austin. If you're in this space and would like to work for Tesla, this may be your opportunity to do so!

Under the hood

Unplugged Performance at Pikes Peak 📹

In this video, Ben Schaffer from Unplugged Performance shares a unique and inspiring story of how they fought and 'resurrected' their Model 3 after an accident, to still be able to race at Pikes Peak last weekend. In this second video, you can follow the process of fixing the car overnight at @eurocarscollison. Awesome job 👏👏👏

Takeaways after 1 year with a Tesla Taxi

This Spanish taxi driver has shared his honest experience after a year driving a Tesla Model 3 for work. The videos are in Spanish, so here's a quick summary:

Saved 10k euros after 1 year and 100km/62 mi
Charging/Gas cost: 0.5€-1€/100km vs. 12-13€/100km 115cv Diesel
Purchase cost: 48k euros (including tax deduction) vs. 20.000€
Battery degradation after 100 km: 3-4% (degradation happened mostly between 30,000 and 60,000 km)
Only maintenance was changing the tires
Only con is that not everyone figures out how to open the doors
Why Tesla (instead of other EV): Range/ charging infrastructure and easier to homologate as a taxi

New vs old Model 3 frunk design 📷

A few weeks ago we saw the pictures of a new frunk, there is a comparison from the Owners Manual. Will the Model 3 come with a heat pump soon?

EV Charging

Charging costs of a Model 3 traveling between states

Last week we highlighted a story about road trips and Tesla, this week I wanted to highlight charging during a road trip. According to this Model 3 owner who recently traveled between Maryland and Washington state and back (6,300 miles!), he only spent ~$350 in charging the car. This same trip would've cost about ~$586 with a mid-size gas car in the US. If you're curious to know the rest of the trip conditions and facts, check out the post.

Tesla partners with Target to install new/more Superchargers in major US cities 📷

Tesla is partnering with Target to install more Superchargers all around the US. Have been wising for one in your area? See if it's on the list? Thank you @TeslaOwnersEBay and @MontrealTesla for the tip!

NeoCharge’s Power Splitters makes adding EV charging more affordable for owners

One huge challenge for many electric vehicle drivers is home charging. Where will the vehicle charge? How fast will it charge? NeoCharge’s Smart Splitters make adding an EV charger to your home easier and more affordable. They currently have two offerings available:

One version uses a common electrical appliance outlet to power an appliance and an electric vehicle charger
The other version allows to power two EV chargers from a single outlet

Use promo code TESLETTER for $30 off a NeoCharge Smart Splitter.

What the acronym?

As Tesla fan, I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.