Tesla Dominates EV Award Show, Clinches Top Honors in Innovation, Efficiency, and Three Additional Categories

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla wins several awards at the Fully Charged show
Tesla wins several awards at the Fully Charged show
FullyChargedShw

Tesla emerged as the biggest winner, capturing five prestigious trophies at the inaugural Fully Charged AWARDS. The event, celebrating the pioneers of green technology, was organized in conjunction with the Fully Charged LIVE Europe event.

The Fully Charged SHOW, a leading voice in the sustainable technology space, spearheaded the nomination process through a comprehensive survey of its audience. The final candidates were then shortlisted by a dedicated team and an expert panel comprising 15 specialists in energy and transportation. The awards drew considerable attention, with several thousand electric vehicle drivers participating in the voting process.

Win for the Model 3/Y, Model S Falls Short

Dominance Across Price Segments: Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 won in their respective price categories, showcasing the company's ability to deliver outstanding electric vehicles across different market segments. However, it also showed that it has work to do as the Porsche Taycan stole the award for the higher price model that should've gone to the Model S or X. While the lower price vehicle MG4, showing that Tesla's next-gen, $25,000 car has some competition.

Best Charging Network

Award for Best EV Charging Network: Tesla's Supercharger Network, known for its widespread and efficient infrastructure, emerged as a critical enabler in the global adoption of electric vehicles. Tesla has built over 50,000 Superchargers worldwide and convinced most automotive industry to use its charging technology through the North American Charging Standard.

Tesla Wins Most Innovative & Efficient

Innovative EV Manufacturer: This one seems a little obvious because this award show would likely not even exist without Tesla. The Best Innovative EV Manufacturer award from Tesla reflects its continuous strive for excellence and innovation in the EV space. This accolade recognizes Tesla's cutting-edge advancements and their transformative impact on the automotive industry.

Energy Efficiency in Focus: The Tesla Model 3 Long Range, acclaimed for its superior range and energy efficiency, was honored as the Best Energy Efficient EV. This distinction highlights Tesla's dedication to merging sustainability with high performance in electric vehicles.

Tesla: Leading the Charge in EV Innovation

These accolades at the Fully Charged AWARDS are not merely symbols of recognition; they represent Tesla's pivotal role in steering the future of transportation and energy. The company's sweeping success at the awards ceremony reinforces its vision and the increasing consumer trust in its products and innovations. As Tesla continues to break new ground in the EV and clean energy arenas, its influence extends beyond these awards, propelling the world towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

By Karan Singh
@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

  • Manhasset, New York

  • West Covina, California

  • Los Angeles, California

  • Houston, Texas

  • Orlando, Florida

  • Westmont, Illinois

  • Tucson, Arizona

  • Phoenix, Arizona

  • Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.

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