Tesla VP Confirms Model S & Model X Refresh Later This Year

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

In the latest episode of the Ride the Lightning podcast, Tesla’s VP of Engineering, Lars Moravy, addressed a question that’s been on everyone’s mind—what’s going on with the Model S and Model X?

It turns out Tesla’s engineering and design teams have been thinking about the same thing. They’ve heard the calls for a refresh loud and clear, and changes are on the way to Tesla’s flagship vehicles.

Most importantly, Lars put the rumors to rest—Tesla has no plans to discontinue the Model S and Model X. Not only are they here to stay, but a refresh is also in the works.

Just give it a minute, we’ll get there - Lars Moravy

Refreshed Flagships

According to Lars, the Model S and Model X will finally be getting some attention—but not until later this year. For now, Tesla’s top priority is launching its more affordable next-generation vehicle ahead of Q2 2025.

Still, a refresh is on the way, and many of the upgrades seen in the Model 3 and Model Y refreshes are expected to make their way to Tesla’s flagship vehicles. There’s a lot to break down from that simple statement, so let’s dive into what’s likely coming—and what we’re hopeful to see.

Interior Updates

Both flagship vehicles are expected to receive a Cybertruck-inspired update—though not in the form of sharp angles and stainless steel. Instead, Tesla, we may see many Cybertruck features move over to the Model S and Model X. We may see things like the removal of the driver’s gauge cluster display in favor of a larger center screen, similar to the Cybertruck’s design. Unlike the Model 3 and Model Y refreshes, this screen won’t tilt, simplifying production and increasing part-sharing across the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck.

These changes streamline Tesla’s supply chain while also making the vehicles easier to repair and service. However, it’s not all about cutting features. Last year, rumors suggested the Model S and Model X would receive a mid-cycle interior refresh, including ambient lighting—now a standard feature across Tesla’s lineup. This subtle yet elegant lighting improves the cabin’s aesthetics without being overly bright or distracting.

Another major update will likely be the transition to a 48V low-voltage electrical system, a move Tesla has already made with the Cybertruck. Tesla recently announced that a lot of the Cybertruck’s tech, such as this 48V LV system, its 800-volt HV architecture, bi-directional charging, and more are coming to future Tesla vehicles.

This upgrade could also bring support for steer-by-wire to the Model S/X, which would greatly improve the usability of the yoke steering wheel.

Exterior Updates

When it comes to exterior changes, we’re a little less sure of what to expect. A complete body makeover is very unlikely, but we could see updates to the front and rear fascias like we’re seeing with the new Model Y. We hope Tesla preserves the iconic design of the Model S. Its sleek, aggressive profile has a broad appeal—even among muscle car enthusiasts who appreciate its sharp lines and commanding presence.

For the Model X, Tesla might follow a similar strategy to the Model Y refresh, further differentiating it from the Model S. We could also see the introduction of a light or rear light bar like we’ve seen recently with the Cybertruck, new Model Y, and the Cybercab. Tesla has really perfected its grill-less look with recent models and we may see that carry over to the revamped Model S and Model X as well.

FSD Hardware Changes

The timing of the refreshed Model S and Model X could overlap with the launch of Tesla’s next-gen FSD hardware, AI5. While this would be unexpected—given that Tesla has yet to fully utilize AI4—it could align with Musk’s June 2024 statement that AI5 would be available in about 18 months. Afterall, the Cybercab will include AI5 when it hits production this summer.

Additionally, like the recently refreshed Model Y, the Model S and Model X have long been rumored to receive a front bumper camera, and this update will likely bring it. In turn, Tesla may remove the HD radar that has been shipping—albeit disabled—with every Model S and Model X. While the radar appeared to be included for data collection purposes, Tesla never fully committed to integrating it into its autonomy stack.

Drivetrain and Battery

The Model S and Model X still use a relatively outdated air suspension system. If you own one, you’re probably familiar with the issue: the camber (angle of the wheels) changes depending on the vehicle’s height, which increases wear on the inner or outer edges of the tires. Combined with the vehicles’ immense acceleration, this can lead to increased tire wear.

With the Cybertruck’s updated air suspension, this is considerably less of an issue due to how the new suspension functions. It would make sense for Tesla to integrate similar improvements, along with other updates to improve handling, much like the changes made to the refreshed Model 3 Performance. Track Mode V3 would also be a welcome addition to both Plaid models.

Additionally, adopting the Cybertruck’s 800V high-voltage architecture could enable the new Model S and Model X to charge faster, potentially reaching the 500kW speeds the Cybertruck will soon support at V4 Superchargers.

New Production Lines

There’s also another interesting tidbit circulating from stock analyst M44_1RJ. It’s rumored that the Model S and Model X production lines, known internally as the GA1 lines at Fremont, are undergoing upgrades. These improvements are likely part of Tesla’s preparations for the upcoming refreshed versions of these vehicles.

We’re eager to see what Tesla has in store for the refreshed Model S and Model X. While we could see completely new features added to these flagship vehicles, we’re more likely to see some of the Cybertruck improvements carry over.

There’s even hope that the Plaid+ variant will make a return to the Model S, providing a sleek and worthy competitor to the Lucid Air Sapphire and other electric hypercars making waves on tracks worldwide.

It seems Tesla has something big in the works, but it’s probably at least six months away. We can expect more tangible updates to surface around late summer, likely after the launch of the Cybercab and Tesla’s more affordable model.

Tesla Updates Robotaxi App: Adds Adjustable Pick Up Locations, Shows Wait Time and More [VIDEO]

By Karan Singh
Nic Cruz Patane

Tesla is rolling out a fairly big update for its iOS and early-access-only Robotaxi app, delivering a suite of improvements that address user feedback from the initial launch last month. The update improves the user experience with increased flexibility, more information, and overall design polish.

The most prominent feature in this update is that Tesla now allows you to adjust your pickup location. Once a Robotaxi arrives at your pickup location, you have 15 minutes to start the ride. The app will now display the remaining time your Robotaxi will wait for you, counting down from 15:00. The wait time is also shown in the iOS Live Activity if your phone is on the lock screen.

How Adjustable Pickups Work

We previously speculated that Tesla had predetermined pickup locations, as the pickup location wasn’t always where the user was. Now, with the ability to adjust the pickup location, we can clearly see that Tesla has specific locations where users can be picked up.

Rather than allowing users to drop a pin anywhere on the map, the new feature works by having the user drag the map to their desired area. The app then presents a list of nearby, predetermined locations to choose from. Once a user selects a spot from this curated list, they hit “Confirm.” The pickup site can also be changed while the vehicle is en route.

This specific implementation raises an interesting question: Why limit users to predetermined spots? The answer likely lies in how Tesla utilizes fleet data to improve its service.

Release Notes

While the app is still only available on iOS through Apple’s TestFlight program, invited users can download and update the app.

Tesla included these release notes in update 25.7.0 of the Robotaxi app:

  • You can now adjust pickup location

  • Display the remaining wait time at pickup in the app and Live Activity

  • Design improvements

  • Bug fixes and stability improvements

Nic Cruz Patane

Why Predetermined Pick Up Spots?

The use of predetermined pickup points is less of a limitation and more of a feature. These curated locations are almost certainly spots that Tesla’s fleet data has identified as optimal and safe for an autonomous vehicle to perform a pickup or drop-off.

This suggests that Tesla is methodically “mapping” its service area not just for calibration and validation of FSD builds but also to help perform the first and last 50-foot interactions that are critical to a safe and smooth ride-hailing experience.

An optimal pickup point likely has several key characteristics identified by the fleet, including:

  • A safe and clear pull-away area away from traffic

  • Good visibility for cameras, free of obstructions

  • Easy entry and exit paths for an autonomous vehicle

This change to pick-up locations reveals how Tesla’s Robotaxi Network is more than just Unsupervised FSD. There are a lot of moving parts, many of which Tesla recently implemented, and others that likely still need to be implemented, such as automated charging.

Frequent Updates

This latest update delivers a much-needed feature for adjusting pickup locations, but it also gives us a view into exactly what Tesla is doing with all the data it is collecting with its validation vehicles rolling around Austin, alongside its Robotaxi fleet.

Tesla is quickly iterating on its app and presumably the vehicle’s software to build a reliable and predictable network, using data to perfect every aspect of the experience, from the moment you hail the ride to the moment you step out of the car.

Tesla Will Face $2 Billion in Lost Profit as 'Big Beautiful Bill' Kills EV Credits

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

The massive legislative effort titled the "Big Beautiful Bill" is taking direct aim at what has become one of Tesla’s most critical and profitable revenue streams: the sale of US regulatory credits. The bill could eliminate billions of dollars from Tesla’s bottom line each year and will slow down the transition to electric vehicles in the US.

The financial stakes for Tesla are absolutely immense. In 2024, Tesla generated $2.76 billion from selling these credits. This high-margin revenue was the sole reason Tesla posted a profit in Q1 2025; without the $595 million from regulatory credits, Tesla’s reported $409 million in profit would have been a $189 million loss.

How the ZEV Credit System Works

Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) credits are part of state-level programs, led by California, designed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Each year, automakers are required to hold a certain number of ZEV credits, with the amount based on their total vehicle sales within that state. Under this system, automakers that fail to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles must either pay a significant fine or purchase credits from a company that exceeds the mandate.

Automakers who fail to sell enough EVs to meet their quota have a deficit and face two choices: pay a hefty fine to the state government for each missing credit (for example, $5,000 per credit in California) or buy credits from a company with a surplus.

As an all-EV company, Tesla generates a massive surplus of these credits. It can then turn around and sell them to legacy automakers at prices cheaper than the fine, creating a win-win scenario: the legacy automaker avoids a larger penalty, and Tesla gains a lucrative, near-pure-profit revenue stream. 

This new bill will dismantle this by eliminating the financial penalties for non-compliance, which would effectively make Tesla’s credits worthless. While the ZEV program is a state law, the Big Beautiful Bill will fully eliminate the penalties at a federal level.

A Multi-Billion Dollar Impact

The removal of US ZEGV credits would be a severe blow to Tesla’s financials. One JPMorgan analyst estimated that the move could reduce Tesla’s earnings by over 50%, representing a potential annual loss of $2 billion. While Tesla also earns similar credits in Europe and China, analysts suggest that 80-90% of its credit revenue in Q1 2025 came from US programs. 

Why the Program Exists

While the impact on Tesla would be direct and immediate, the credit system has a wider purpose. It creates a strong financial incentive for legacy automakers to develop and accelerate their zero-emission vehicle programs, whether it’s hydrogen, electric, or another alternative.

Eliminating the need for these credits would remove that financial pressure. This could allow traditional automakers to slow their EV transition in the US without the fear of a financial penalty, potentially leading to fewer EV choices for consumers and a slower path to vehicle electrification in the country.

Big, But Not Beautiful

On Sunday Morning TV, Elon Musk was asked his thoughts on the Big Beautiful Bill. They were pretty simple. A bill could be big, or it could be beautiful - I don’t know if it can be both, Musk stated.

The bill poses a threat to Tesla’s bottom line and to the adoption of EVs in the US market, where automakers will no longer have a financial incentive to transition to cleaner vehicles, a market they’ve regularly struggled in when competing against Tesla.

Tesla will have to work carefully in the future to cut expenses to remain profitable after the elimination of these regulatory credits.

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