The refreshed Model Y brought with it lots of changes to the exterior and interior - but there’s more to it than just that. Tesla is doing something completely different than its other vehicles with the new Model Y and that’s how regenerative braking works.
The new Model Y has an updated Dynamics Control menu that has a new deceleration option. At quick glance this appears to be a renamed regenerative braking label, but it’s much more than that.
Tesla has also added two additional options in the Traction Control Mode that aren’t available in the previous-gen Model Y.
Let’s dig into what each of these features does, as we believe many people will be pleased with the way regenerative braking now works in the new Model Y.
Deceleration - Not Just Low Regen
Just below the Acceleration category, where you’ll find the familiar Chill and Standard Modes, Tesla has introduced a new Deceleration category for the new Model Y.
This category offers two options: Standard (the default setting) and Reduced. The Reduced setting adjusts how quickly the vehicle slows down when you release the accelerator pedal.
However, this isn’t just another name for regenerative braking. Tesla has changed how they apply regenerative braking in the new Model Y.
Two Levels of Regen
Tesla previously offered two levels of regenerative braking, Normal or Low, which determined how much regen would be applied when you lifted your foot off the accelerator. Some new EV drivers struggled with the normal regenerative braking mode due to the amount of deceleration, but ultimately, Tesla removed the low regen option because it negatively impacted range and increased wear on the vehicle’s brakes unnecessarily.
Unlike other EVs, Tesla has only applied regenerative braking when the accelerator is released, and tapping the brake pedal would always activate the physical brakes. That is, until now.
Apply Regen With the Brake Pedal
With the new Model Y, Tesla has made changes that allow regenerative braking to activate either when the accelerator pedal is released or when the brake pedal is pressed. That means that sometimes the vehicle’s physical brakes won’t activate when you tap the brake pedal — instead, the vehicle may use regenerative braking.
Drivers now have the option to choose between normal or reduced deceleration when lifting off the accelerator pedal, which essentially means high or low levels of regenerative braking are being applied. However, now, when the brake pedal is tapped, the vehicle decides whether to continue using regenerative braking or use the vehicle’s physical brakes, depending on how hard the pedal is pressed.
This change removes the efficiency loss associated with low-level regenerative braking in older models because regen can again be applied when the driver uses the vehicle’s brake pedal. It’s really the best of both worlds. Drivers can now have the vehicle apply low levels of regen when the accelerator is lifted and still benefit from full regen because it is enabled again when the brake pedal is used.
We still recommend drivers get used to normal regen using just the accelerator pedal since it introduces the ability to mostly drive with just one pedal, but there is a learning curve.
Unfortunately, this new feature is exclusive to the latest Model Y, as it required changes to the vehicle, so we won’t see this feature coming in a future update. The Model Y is the first Tesla to apply regenerative braking when the brake pedal is used, but given how much it eases the transition to EVs, we expect it to roll out in future models as well.
Brake system in New Model Y has the freedom to use either electric motor or mechanical brake when you push the brake pedal
This brings you maximum efficiency, consistency in pedal behavior & improved stability pic.twitter.com/rIwOUxwpXU
Tesla has also made some changes to the new Model Y’s traction control. The Model Y used to have the option to enable Off-Road Assist and Slip Start. However, they’re adding two new options, Auto and Slippery Surface modes.
Slippery Surface
The new Slippery Surface mode debuted with the Cybertruck. It’s designed to improve the vehicle's handling on roads or surfaces that are slick with water, ice, or other snow, which can reduce traction. In this mode, your vehicle will closely monitor each wheel sensor for slippage and automatically apply additional torque where needed—essentially, very fancy torque vectoring to maintain control.
It is a more active approach to how Tesla normally handles active traction control - and it does consume additional energy to keep this active. On the Cybertruck, I’ve personally noticed about 10% additional energy usage when Slippery Surfaces is active, but the truck does handle far better. We’d expect a similar exchange with the Model Y, where you trade a bit of efficiency for better and more precise handling when Slippery Surface is activated.
Off-Road Assist
Off-Road Assist meanwhile, keeps the same overall package from the previous-Gen Model Y. This allows wheels to spin and also balances torque between the front and rear motors, which helps to optimize traction. It’s quite effective in rough and soft surfaces where one side of the vehicle may lose traction, while the other still has it.
Off-Road Assist also provides more gradual torque control, which can help when trying to crawl the vehicle over rocky surfaces. As usual, Off-Road Assist will disable automatically at higher speeds and also disables Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Avoidance, and Autopilot and FSD are disabled while it is active.
Where is Slip Start?
The Slip Start option was available on all variants of the Model Y, which helps to dislodge it if you manage to get it stuck in mud, snow, or ice - enabling the wheels to spin. It seems likely that Slip Start is probably further down in the menu - rather than being removed completely.
These changes to the new Model Y should please a ton of drivers, especially if they’re new to Tesla.
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Tesla news, upcoming features and software updates.
Tesla’s Dan W Priestley attended the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California, and provided an update on Tesla’s Semi truck program. The presentation covered several key developments on the status of Tesla’s Nevada Semi Factory, refinements to the Semi, and Tesla’s plans for charging and ramping production through 2026.
Let’s dig in and take a look at everything that was captured by the Out of Spec team at ACT Expo. The original video is embedded below if you’d like to watch it.
Semi Factory & Production Ramp
Priestley reaffirmed the timelines mentioned during Tesla’s Q4 2024 Earnings Call that Tesla will scale Semi production in 2026. To achieve this, Tesla has been actively building and expanding the Gigafactory Nevada site, specifically to support the production of the Tesla Semi. The dedicated Semi facility will have a targeted annual capacity of 50,000 Semi trucks.
Following the beginning of production, Tesla will utilize the initial trucks to integrate into its own logistics operations. This will serve as both a final real-world testing ground as well as an opportunity for Tesla to gather data internally. Tesla plans to begin subsequent customer deliveries throughout 2026 as the ramp-up continues.
Reuters also reported that Tesla is hiring over 1,000 new employees at the Semi Factory to begin the rapid ramping of the program.
Semi has already amassed 7.9 million miles with Tesla’s current testing and operational fleets, providing some real-world data and testing. Feedback for the truck has been exceptionally successful, with many drivers praising the Semi’s performance and comfort.
New Tesla Semi Features
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Tesla keynote without showing off some new things. The Semi will be available in 500-mile and 300-mile range configurations, now featuring updated mirror designs and a drop-down glass section to improve visibility and allow easier interaction with external elements—such as control panels at ports, for example.
New Electric Power Take-Off (e-PTO)
The Tesla Semi will also feature a new capability called Electric Power Take-Off, or e-PTO system. Similar to the PTO systems found on other vehicles, this will allow the Semi’s high-voltage battery to power auxiliary equipment at variable voltages. That includes being able to power things like climate-controlled reefer trailers, potentially replacing the noisy and polluting diesel generators traditionally used for this purpose.
Charging and Batteries
Out of Spec BITS/YouTube
Tesla is also working on an updated battery pack design for the final production design of the Semi. This new pack is designed to be more cost-effective to manufacture. The battery pack itself is slightly smaller than before, but the truck maintains the same level of range through efficiencies. Dan also confirmed during his keynote that the battery cells for the Semi will be sourced domestically inside the United States, helping to alleviate potential burdens due to tariffs.
On the charging front, Tesla is using MCS - the Megawatt Charging System - capable of 1.2MW - and designed specifically for Semi. The system uses the same V4 charging hardware found at Supercharger sites but focuses on that larger power output. Alongside a smaller physical footprint, Tesla will be able to configure these V4 cabinets for either dedicated Semi charging or for shared power scenarios with regular Superchargers. Tesla is also working on an integrated overnight charging product, but Tesla isn’t ready to talk about it yet.
46 Semi Charger Sites Coming
The 46 new MCS sites coming soon.
Out of Spec BITS/YouTube
Finally, Tesla has made substantial investments in a public charging network for the Semi. There are currently 46 sites in progress throughout the United States, and plans for significant expansion throughout 2026 and 2027. These sites are strategically located alongside major truck routes and within industrial areas to support long-haul and regional operations. Tesla is aiming to offer the lowest possible energy costs to operators to help incentivize adoption.
This was one of the best updates to the Tesla Semi we’ve received since its initial unveiling. It seems that the Semi will receive a big portion of Tesla’s attention in 2026, while Robotaxi and FSD Unsupervised take the stage this year.
The Tesla Semi has the potential to transform transportation even more dramatically than EVs already have, serving as a testament to Tesla’s mission to electrify the world.
Sentry Mode is an invaluable tool for owners - capable of keeping the vehicle safe and secure even when you’re not around. This is especially true in recent times, with the misguided and unfortunate incidents surrounding Tesla ownership, including damage to Tesla vehicles, showrooms, and Superchargers.
B-pillar Camera Recording and Dashcam Viewer
With the 2025 Spring Update on 2025.14, Tesla is expanding Sentry Mode’s functionality for certain vehicles with some much-needed changes. Sentry Mode and Dashcam can now record footage from the vehicle’s B-pillar cameras. These cameras are located on the side pillars of the vehicle, between the front and rear doors.
This adds two crucially needed viewpoints, making Tesla’s Sentry Mode a truly 360-degree security system. These cameras also provide the best angles for capturing license plates when parked, so they will be greatly appreciated by owners in the event of an incident.
These vehicles are also receiving an improved Dashcam Viewer, which now displays the six camera feeds along the bottom and a new grid view. It also allows users to jump back or forward in the video in 15-second increments.
However, to the disappointment of many owners, not all vehicles are receiving these updates due to the additional processing power needed.
Limited to Hardware 4 Vehicles, Ryzen Isn’t Enough
We have confirmed that Tesla is only adding the additional camera recording and improved Dashcam Viewer on hardware 4 (HW4 / AI4) vehicles. The newer hardware presumably has the additional processing power and bandwidth needed to handle recording and saving the two additional video streams during Sentry Mode and Dashcam.
For the time being, owners of HW3 vehicles are not receiving this feature. This includes all vehicles with HW3, even those with AMD Ryzen infotainment systems. If you’re not sure whether your vehicle has HW3 or HW4, you can refer to our FSD hardware guide.
While there’s no doubt that recording two additional camera streams would be more computationally intensive, we hope that Tesla adds the improved Dashcam Viewer to HW3 vehicles in a future update.
Cybertruck Also Missing Improved Sentry Mode
Surprisingly, and most confusing for many - is the fact that the Cybertruck is also not receiving the improved Dashcam Viewer and B-pillar camera recording with this update. This struck us as odd, especially since the Cybertruck is currently the only vehicle with the improved, more efficient version of Sentry Mode.
Every Cybertruck is equipped with HW4 and AMD Ryzen infotainment units, so this clearly isn’t a hardware restriction. It’s possible the more efficient Sentry Mode is playing a role here due to the infrastructure changes. However, we expect Tesla to address this in a future update and eventually release these features for the Cybertruck as well.
Given the Cybertruck’s high visibility and its status as a frequent target for both positive and negative attention, many owners hoped that the Cybertruck would be one of the vehicles to receive this feature.
Adaptive Headlights
Tesla finally started rolling out its adaptive headlights in North America. While the new Model Y already came with the feature when it was released last month, other vehicles with matrix headlights are now receiving the feature in the Spring Update.
All vehicles with matrix headlights are receiving this feature, which includes the new and old Model 3, first-gen Model Y, and the new Model S and Model X.
If you’re not sure if your vehicle includes matrix headlights, check out our guide. What’s interesting here is that older vehicles that were retrofitted with matrix headlights due to an accident or user replacement are also receiving the adaptive headlights feature.
Legacy Model S & Model X
As with most updates, the older legacy Model S and Model X are not receiving all the features included in this update. Unfortunately, some of the features, which include the Blind Spot Camera on the instrument cluster, Save Trunk Height Based on Location and Keep Accessory Power On are limited to the new Model S and X.
Legacy S and X models will receive the Alternative Trip Plans feature, Avoid Highways (Requires Intel MCU) and the Keyboard Languages feature.
These vehicles are also receiving all the features in the Minor Updates section except for the visualization showing how far the door is opened, which is exclusive to the Cybertruck. These additions include improved music search results, contact photos in the phone app, automatic connecting to hotspots, the ability to show third-party chargers, view Supercharger amenities, and various improvements to music services.
While many users will be disappointed not to receive the B-pillar camera recording and Dashcam Viewer improvements, it’s important to remember that Tesla typically does a great job at bringing features to older vehicles, at least with the Model 3 and Model Y. If a feature isn’t added, it’s usually due to a hardware limitation.
![Tesla Semi Keynote: New Features, 46 Charging Sites, Upgraded Battery & More [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/semi/semi-new-features.jpg/c7df4e0d32f8cb0beee080ad201e943b/semi-new-features.jpg)
![Elon talks about Twitter and job cuts at Bloomberg forum [video]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/images/news/2022/elon-musk-qatar-forum_300w.jpg)
