Tesla Rules the Road: Model X Leads as the Most Driven Electric Car

May 25, 2023

By Kevin Armstrong

Tesla's Model X is the most traveled EV

In the electrifying realm of electric vehicles, Tesla's offerings continue to rev up more miles than any other brand. A study by iSeeCars, based on data from over 860,000 vehicles, reveals that all four Tesla models outpace the average electric car mileage of 9,059 miles a year. Topping the list is the Tesla Model X, defying the norm by clocking in an average of 10,378 miles annually.

Considering the broader automotive market, the average three-year-old gas-powered vehicle covers 12,758 miles per year — a figure EVs have yet to match. However, Tesla drivers consistently come closest, significantly increasing the EV average. Without Tesla's influence, the average EV mileage would drop to 6,719 miles per year.

The Least Driven EV: Porsche Taycan Trails Behind

Delving deeper into the data, the study found a noticeable discrepancy with Tesla's competitor, Porsche. The Porsche Taycan, a direct rival to the Tesla Model S, came in as the least-driven electric car, at just 4,846 miles per year, about half the distance driven by Model S owners. Model S came in second, Model 3 was third and Model Y fourth.

The study also explores the relationship between vehicle cost, use, and range. While electric cars generally cost 47% more than internal combustion cars, they are driven 29% less. This discrepancy can be attributed to several factors, such as EVs often being the second or third vehicle in a household or used less frequently for long trips. However, the pivotal factor appears to be battery range and the associated range anxiety.

Indeed, the iSeeCars study unveils a clear correlation: more range equals more use. Data shows that for every additional mile of range an EV offers, owners are willing to drive an additional 23 miles per year on average. This suggests that to match the average annual mileage of gas-powered vehicles, EVs need to add about 161 miles to their range.

Cost and Range: The Challenge for Wider EV Adoption

Achieving this increase in battery range at today's battery costs seems unfeasible. It would require an additional $60,000 on average, making the average EV price skyrocket to an unrealistic $105,147.

The study also reveals that range anxiety doesn't align with real-world use cases. According to the Department of Transportation National Household Travel Survey, almost all three-year-old EVs offer ample range for typical trips. The central issue seems to revolve around the time it takes to recharge an EV, which, in most instances, spans multiple hours.

“Range anxiety is less about being stranded in the middle of nowhere and more about the ‘refueling’ process for electric vehicles,” commented Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst at iSeeCars.

While Tesla's continuous strides in EV technology are closing the gap, overcoming range anxiety and matching the convenience of traditional gas-powered vehicles will be crucial for the broader adoption of EVs. With Tesla leading the charge, the day when EVs surpass gas-powered vehicles may not be too far off.

Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

December 14, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series.

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

Tesla’s Optimus Robot Learns to Walk Without Vision [VIDEO]

December 13, 2024

By Karan Singh

Optimus Falls - but catches itself!

Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently showed off a demo of Optimus, its humanoid robot, walking around in moderately challenging terrain—not on a flat surface but on dirt and slopes. These things can be difficult for a humanoid robot, especially during the training cycle.

Daily walks help clear your mind pic.twitter.com/dUsW58trS6
— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) December 9, 2024

A Look Behind the Curtain

Most interestingly, Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for Optimus, clarified what it takes to get Optimus to this stage. Let’s break down what he said.

Optimus is Blind

Optimus is getting seriously good at walking now - it can keep its balance over uneven ground - even while walking blind. Tesla is currently using just the sensors, all powered by a neural net running on the embedded computer.

Essentially, Tesla is building Optimus from the ground up, relying on as much additional data as possible while it trains vision. This is similar to how they train FSD on vehicles, using LiDAR rigs to validate the vision system’s accuracy. While Optimus doesn’t have LiDAR, it relies on all those other sensors on board, many of which will likely become simplified as vision takes over as the primary sensor.

Today, Optimus is walking blind, but it’s able to react almost instantly to changes in the terrain underneath it, even if it falls or slips.

What’s Next?

Next up, Tesla AI will be adding vision to Optimus - helping complete the neural net. Remember, Optimus runs on the same overall AI stack as FSD - in fact, Optimus uses an FSD computer and an offshoot of the FSD stack for vision-based tasks.

Milan mentions they’re planning on adding vision to help the robot plan ahead and improve its walking gait. While the zombie shuffle is iconic and a little bit amusing, getting humanoid robots to walk like humans is actually difficult.

There’s plenty more, too - including better responsiveness to velocity and direction commands and learning to fall and stand back up. Falling while protecting yourself to minimize damage is something natural to humans - but not exactly natural to something like a robot. Training it to do so is essential in keeping the robot, the environment around it, and the people it is interacting with safe.

We’re excited to see what’s coming with Optimus next because it is already getting started in some fashion in Tesla’s factories.