Tesla To Add Improvements to V4 Superchargers

Tesla will improve its V4 Superchargers with improved docks and a more flexible cable

@RoamingNorway/X.com

The Tesla Supercharger V4 network was met with disappointment from a Tesla fan and Model 3 owner. @RoamingNorway posted on X several issues with the new chargers. These included heavier cables, reduced flexibility, a problematic grip causing the plug to fall, and an obstructive design. Despite a modest following, his observations resonated with the Tesla community and caught the company's attention.

The Reviews are In

After the post, @RoamingNorway was met with the usual pro-Tesla crowd and the anti-Tesla hater responses. The user politely answered several comments and displayed their admiration for the EV revolution. Then, the big one, Tesla acknowledged these concerns through its official charging account.

Minor things matter. Cable dock & stiffness improvements coming soon! - @TeslaCharging

Tesla's V4 Supercharger, an update over its predecessors, initially aimed to cater to a broader range of EVs by including a longer, more durable cable. However, this design adjustment inadvertently introduced challenges for Tesla drivers, as highlighted by the feedback. Tesla's acknowledgment and swift commitment to address these issues reflect the company's agility and customer-centric approach.

While Tesla has not specified the details or timeline for the improvements, their proactive stance suggests these enhancements will be implemented effectively. This development aligns with Tesla's ongoing efforts to expand and refine its charging infrastructure.

The expansion of Tesla's V4 Supercharger network in Europe includes new installations and upgrades from older versions. This expansion is part of Tesla's broader strategy to accommodate an increasing variety of electric vehicles following major automakers' widespread adoption of Tesla’s charging technology. This move grants access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network of more than 50,000 globally.

Owners Have a Voice

Tesla's approach to customer feedback, exemplified by its response to @RoamingNorway's post, is the latest demonstration of listening to user experience to identify areas of improvement. While the company usually picks off random posts, it opened up the floor last May. Tesla asked what it could improve in a post that garnered more than 9 million views and 13 thousand responses. Interestingly, many of the top suggestions have been addressed, and several more have likely been implemented during an over-the-air update.

For example, customers emphasized the need for faster service times and more service locations. Tesla is continuously building more brick-and-mortar locations to address the growing demand for service. There was also a call to make Full Self-Driving (FSD) transferable. You may recall there was a window to make this happen over the past year. Owners wanted a 360° bird's eye view; Tesla has done better than that with the new High-fidelity Park Assist. There was also a request for a better referral program, and there have been several additions since May.

Tesla is following a proven strategy. Time and time again, the businesses that listen to customers often succeed. We might not be used to a car company listening and implementing changes as quickly as Tesla.

The new Supercharger dispensers are worse for Tesla drivers:

1. The cables are heavier

2. The cables are less flexible and make it difficult to bend the cable and place the plug where you want it

3. The grip of the holster makes the plug fall onto the ground and gets snow/dirt… pic.twitter.com/ry4omufwbC

— Roaming Norway (@RoamingNorway) December 30, 2023

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

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.

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

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.

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