Deliveries for the Tesla Cybertruck will begin within the next three months. Apparently, some people have been able to test drive the stainless steel beast and wanted to share it with the world.
The truck's performance is said to rival the Plaid Model X, with several insiders confirming the performance Cybertruck will harness the same tri-motor setup as the Plaid. That would explain why Elon Musk posted that the Performance version of Cybertruck kicks ass. This is thrilling news for those who've felt the power of the Plaid Model X.
Bi-directional Charging & 240v Outlet
One of the most intriguing features is its bi-directional charging, meaning it can receive and give back energy. This is paired with the inclusion of a 240v outlet. The utility implications here are vast, potentially allowing the Cybertruck to act as a power bank during blackouts or camping.
When quizzed about the range, details remain tight-lipped. However, Donegan-Ryan speculates the battery size could lie between 120 and 140 kWh, with a range slightly below the 500 miles announced during the prototype unveiling.
Powered Frunk
The frunk is so spacious that a man standing at 5'7" can lie down in it. This detail alone showcases the immense storage capacity the Cybertruck offers. And if you're wondering about its design, Donegan-Ryan mentions the frunk's power open/close mechanism, suggesting that it will be utilized far more often than in other Tesla models.
Rear Glass and Separate Bluetooth Audio
One feature for adventurers is that the mid-gate glass opens, although there are no HVAC ports in the bed. Although not ideal, this design makes camping in the bed viable with climate control. For those with families, a new feature that connects audio from the rear screen entertainment to Bluetooth headphones promises to be a game changer.
No Bullet Proof Windows
The interiors also don't disappoint. The seats in the Cybertruck are described as broader and more plush than the Model X Plaid's. With the floor carpeted like other Teslas, there's a distinct touch of luxury. We did notice that on a recent bizarre video shared online. Notably, the windows aren't bulletproof but feature double-glazed quiet windows like the new Model 3 for a serene driving experience.
Tailgate Ramp Gets Dropped
However, contrary to some rumors, the tailgate has no built-in ramp. The suspension promises to be more comfortable than the S/X models, and the turning radius is reported to be outstanding. In a nod to its rugged appeal, the Cybertruck's clearance levels on the suspension show the actual height instead of the typical low/medium/high settings. For example, the high setting stands at 14.5 inches.
Spare Tire
Finally, a nod to traditional truck features: the Cybertruck will be equipped with a spare wheel, an array of tow and trailer modes, and a bed equipped with three outlets.
Delivery Event
One last tidbit: the Cybertruck delivery event has been set. However, when it is remains a mystery. Tesla holds its third-quarter earnings call on October 18, which would provide a perfect audience to make the delivery date public.
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As part of Tesla’s App Update 4.42.5, which is now available on both the Android and iOS App Stores, Tesla has rolled out an improved AI Assistant.
If you’re not familiar with Tesla Assist, it’s the company’s AI-powered assistant, which can be found in the Service section of the Tesla app. The assistant was first introduced with app update 4.35.5, and it has slowly improved to help answer the most common Tesla-related questions.
At first, Tesla Assist could answer general support questions like “What is Sentry Mode?” or “Why is my range lower than expected?” It acted as a helpful starting point for answering questions, but the responses weren’t personalized for you or your vehicle. However, with this latest update, that is changing.
Personalized Support
The latest version of Tesla Assist introduces personalized responses. You can specify which vehicle or product your question relates to and ask specific questions about your vehicle. For now, the responses are limited to a few categories, like tire pressure, however, we expect the assistant to have access to more vehicle information in the future.
For now, you can ask questions such as, “What alerts were recently triggered on my vehicle?” or “Is my tire pressure low?”. We’ve also been successful in asking whether a particular accessory, such as a key fob, would work with our vehicle.
Tesla provides these answers based on information in their owner’s manuals, tutorials, and your vehicle’s details and data.
Just like before, Tesla continues to provide links to related articles, such as the Owner’s Manual or the Service Manual, depending on the context.
Not a Tesla App
Future Releases
While the assistant can’t access every detail just yet — how many miles are on my vehicle — it’s already capable of pulling a lot of service-related information. It appears Tesla may be looking to expand this to other areas, with some responses stating, “Based on your vehicle’s data…”
It’s not clear what’s powering this assistant, but it could be some version of Grok, which will soon be available inside of Tesla vehicles.
The AI-based assistant can be found in the Service section of the Tesla app or by going into the main menu and tapping the question mark in the upper-right corner. Let us know if you’ve seen any other interesting responses from Tesla Assist.
Tesla has revealed the location of its third Megafactory, following Mega Lathrop and Mega Shanghai. The new facility will be in Brookshire, Texas, covering 1.6 million square feet—twice the combined size of Mega Lathrop and Mega Shanghai.
Tesla has had a lease deal at the Empire West industrial park since at least late 2021, where a third-party company has been managing the shipment of vehicle parts from Giga Texas and Fremont factories service centers across North America.
Mega… Factory?
The name says it all. Tesla’s Gigafactories focus on vehicle production—like Giga Texas, Giga Berlin, and Giga Shanghai—while Megafactories are dedicated to Tesla’s energy products.
Tesla Energy is expanding rapidly, with executives suggesting it could soon become one of the company’s largest revenue streams as demand continues to outpace supply.
Mega Brookshire will manufacture Megapacks and Powerwalls, Tesla’s primary stationary energy products. Both use LFP batteries, meaning their production won’t impact Tesla’s vehicle output, as most of the company’s cars rely on NMC batteries.
Looking at the Numbers
Tesla plans to invest approximately $194 million in upgrades and equipment across the two buildings, with the facility projected to generate between $8 billion and $10 billion in annual revenue.
Of that investment, $44 million will go toward facility improvements, such as parking, electrical upgrades, accessibility, and structural updates. The remaining $150 million will be allocated to Tesla-sourced manufacturing equipment for product production.
Tesla will also be employing approximately 1,500 people in the local community, which will be a considerable economic boost for the local residents.
Mega Brookshire Phase 2
The Megafactory plans also include funding for a distribution facility, with Tesla set to invest $31 million in its purchase and an additional $2 million for equipment and facility upgrades. Given its proximity to Giga Texas, it’s likely that Mega Brookshire’s distribution terminal will support the Tesla Semi.
This marks Tesla’s first factory announcement since Mega Shanghai. While there were initial plans for Giga Mexico, where Tesla initially planned to build their next-gen vehicle, those plans have seemingly been shelved as Giga Texas and Fremont continue to expand.
Although an official timeline for Mega Brookshire’s launch hasn’t been shared, Mega Shanghai is set to begin production soon after breaking ground in May 2024. Based on that timeline, Mega Brookshire could be operational by mid-to-late 2026.
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