Tesla's base Model 3 is expected to get a boost in range
Tesla
Rumors are circulating that Tesla is planning to rev up the base battery of its Model 3. Reports from China hint at an upgrade from a 60 kWh to a 66 kWh battery pack, promising a 10% boost to the EV's driving range. The speculated move is tied to Tesla's ambitious Project Highland, expected to introduce an array of improvements to the Model 3's design and performance.
Model 3's Battery Upgrade: More than Just a Power Boost
The upgraded battery is reportedly the result of a collaboration with CATL, utilizing their M3P lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs. While this technology promises greater energy storage, it also aligns with Tesla's ongoing commitment to production efficiencies and cost reduction.
In the Model 3's early stages, its base variant, the Rear-Wheel Drive, had a 55kWh battery, which Tesla later bumped up to 60kWh. This new upgrade would add another 6kWh, potentially giving drivers an extra 30 miles (50km) of driving range.
But the benefits of this battery upgrade don't stop at distance. The M3P battery packs are also cheaper, hinting at an upcoming reduction in the Model 3's production costs. This move could mean more competitively priced Tesla cars on the market, boosting their appeal to a wider demographic of eco-conscious drivers.
Impact on Tesla's Market Position
The battery upgrade comes at a critical time. Despite the Model 3's substantial sales numbers, Tesla faced a slight slump in sales in China last year. However, this upgrade, alongside other anticipated changes under Project Highland, could give the Model 3 the much-needed revitalization to rebound and continue to dominate the EV market.
Tesla's consistent pattern of upgrading batteries with every model redesign has been a key driver of its competitive advantage in the electric vehicle market. By introducing higher capacity batteries in Model 3, the company continues to push the boundaries of EV technology and solidify its market position.
The revamped Model 3, equipped with the new 66kWh battery, could set a new standard for range in electric vehicles. Although Tesla has not officially announced any of the changes associated with Project Highland, sightings of test vehicles and reports from insiders fuel anticipation for the Model 3's imminent overhaul. Enhanced drone restrictions at Giga Shanghai suggest that the company might be testing the vehicles on factory grounds.
If these rumors hold, the upgraded Model 3 will offer a greater driving range and reaffirm Tesla's position as the trendsetter in the EV market. All eyes will undoubtedly remain on Tesla as it continues to drive the future of electric vehicles.
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With Tesla’s Robotaxi network poised for its initial launch as soon as June 12th, Elon and Tesla’s lobbying team are stepping up to speak to administrators about autonomy regulation. According to a report from Bloomberg(paywall), the team is working on a behind-the-scenes push in Washington to establish a federal framework for autonomous vehicles.
This push involves direct lobbying of members of the US Congress to build a clear legislative path for autonomy, and the timing is no coincidence. Tesla needs clear regulations to operate under, rather than the fractured state-by-state or city-by-city regulations that exist sporadically throughout the US.
Pushing for a National Standard
The report, citing insiders familiar with the matter, details that Elon has been personally involved in calls with legislators and has been weighing in on revisions to the bill introduced on May 15th, which aimed to establish a basic regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles. Tesla’s goal is to move this bill forward before Congress’s July 4th recess.
When the US Transportation Secretary visited Tesla earlier in May, Elon had some wise words to say on this topic, touching on the core issue: for a service to operate nationwide, navigating a patchwork of regulations is a legal and operational nightmare.
It’d be wonderful for the United States to have a national set of rules for autonomous driving as opposed to 50 independent sets of rules on a state-by-state basis. - Elon Musk
Federal Rules
While the initial Robotaxi pilot launch in Austin is more than feasible under Texas’s relatively permissive regulations, the long-term vision is severely hamstrung by federal rules. Current regulations only permit special exemptions for a test fleet of up to 2,500 vehicles that lack traditional controls, such as a steering wheel and pedals.
While this isn’t a direct roadblock for Tesla’s initial deployment of Model Ys in the Robotaxi network, this vehicle cap is a roadblock for the mass production and deployment of Tesla’s purpose-built Cybercab. The Cybercab, with its easy-to-clean interior, relatively low cost, and lower-maintenance design, is ideal to scale the service with a vehicle designed from the ground up to be autonomous, where it’ll be cheaper to operate and maintain. Remember that the Cybercab is expected to be capable of 5.5 miles per kWh, whereas the Model Y is capable of about 4. Tesla needs a federal law that allows for the widespread sale and operation of the Cybercab, as it’ll likely be crucial to make the network profitable.
The legislative push also comes as Tesla is coming under increasing scrutiny from regulators. The NHTSA is already probing Tesla’s Robotaxi plans and seeking answers about FSD’s performance in adverse weather conditions. Establishing a clear, Congressionally approved federal framework will not only create a more predictable and stable regulatory environment for Tesla to operate in, but it’ll actually make these vehicles safer by having one set of rules.
Difficult Road
This isn’t the first crack at creating national autonomous vehicle laws from Congress. Various bills have been attempted over the years, with one even passing the House in 2017 before getting stalled and dropped in the Senate. The primary obstacle has often been debates over legal liability and pressures from legal groups who have raised concerns about handling incidents with autonomous vehicles.
The new bill represents the latest effort to clear the maze of red tape, and Tesla’s direct involvement, along with the upcoming pilot launch of the Robotaxi network, provides some momentum to push this forward.
Tesla is on the verge of launching Robotaxi, which has massive implications for how we approach urban mobility as a society. However, just as in many other cases, the technology is advancing far faster than the glacial pace of bureaucracy, which means that lobbying is crucial to expedite the process of getting regulations in place as soon as possible.
Tesla has added another touch of customization, and this time for the owners of the 2024+ refreshed Model 3 Performance. Tesla is launching another set of puddle projection lights. These new puddle lights will illuminate the ground with a colorized Model 3 Performance emblem when the doors are opened.
Puddle Projection
This accessory adds a touch of personalization to the door light, similar to the options already available for the original and refreshed Model Y, which projects the Tesla wordmark, as well as for the Cybertruck, which projects the Cybertruck logo. However, this one, in particular, is a little different because it’s the first option that includes color. It projects a crisp blue and white Performance logo onto the ground below the door.
The lights are sold in a pack of two, similar to Tesla’s options for other vehicles. These lights are usable for both the front and rear doors, which means you’ll need two sets if you want to do all four doors of the vehicle.
Interestingly, while the physical form factor of these lights means they would fit any Model 3, Tesla is explicitly stating these are exclusively for 2024+ Model 3 Performance vehicles. This means that, at least for now, purchases through the official Tesla Shop are restricted to owners with a refreshed Model 3 Performance VIN. In general, you should be able to use these on any Model 3 or Model Y, as the size of the projector and the power attachment point are the same for all these vehicles.
Installation is simple and is to be completed by the customer. Tesla does offer a page on their DIY service manual on how to get them installed. You'll need a blunt plastic tool to remove them from the door and to detach the power adapter from the original puddle lights.
The Model 3 Performance Projection Lights are priced at $75 USD in the United States and $125 CAD in Canada. They will likely become available within the coming weeks for the European and Asia-Pacific markets as stock becomes available globally.
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