Tesla has posted a new video (below) on its YouTube channel showing the Cal Flats solar facility in Monterey County, California. It is a shining example of innovation and sustainable energy, demonstrating what happens when big companies collaborate.
With 2900 acres of cutting-edge solar technologies, the facility generates enough solar energy to power 100,000 homes per year, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 109,000 metric tons — equivalent to taking 22,000 cars off the road.
Cal Flats: A Renewable Energy Powerhouse
Tesla guru, Sawyer Merritt, tweeted about the recent release of a video showcasing the Cal Flats Megapack battery installation. The tweet highlights that the project, estimated to be worth around $100 million, was funded by Apple, and the energy generated is used to power the company's corporate headquarters in Cupertino. This collaboration between Tesla and Apple further emphasizes their commitment to a sustainable future and reducing their carbon footprint.
The solar facility comprises 280 Megawatts of solar panels, featuring a diverse range of technologies from early solar panels to the latest innovations. Cal Flats is operated by Arevon, a leader in renewable energy asset management, and helps to reduce fossil fuel usage, paving the way for a greener future.
240 MWh Megapack: Storing Excess Energy for Grid Stability
To store the excess solar energy generated at Cal Flats, Arevon has installed a Tesla 240 MWh Megapack, making it one of the largest battery installations in the U.S. Megapacks not only provide reliable power when demand is high but also serve as a backup when the grid goes down, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply for the region.
The Cal Flats solar facility and its Tesla Megapack installation serve as an inspiration for the renewable energy sector. By supporting green energy initiatives, companies like Tesla and Apple are making strides toward a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.
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It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).
FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.
In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.
FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.
Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.
Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.
When Will it Be Available?
Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.
Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.
Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.
The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.
This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.
But the price is now a princely $6.90, as foretold in the prophecy 😂
Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.
So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.
That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).
Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.
A “Maturing” Service
The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.
While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.