Well-known Tesla hacker, @greentheonly, has found something new in Tesla's code that answers many questions. It appears that the company is moving forward with a two-week suspension for drivers who lose full self-driving access. This revelation puts an end to the speculation of FSD suspension times, and it should be a great relief to those who've been stuck in FSD jail in the past.
In a tweet, @greentheonly says that Tesla appears to have finally added the two weeks suspension to FSD Beta 10.69.25.2. He states that the internal wording has been updated to mention two weeks. Previously it was only mentioned in the FSD Beta 10.69.25.1 release notes.
Only a small percentage of customers have started receiving the latest beta, v10.69.25.2. However, the update continues to roll out to additional owners today and that trend is expected to continue.
Confusion on Suspension
The hacker was asked if this change is hard coded to two weeks or if it is an auto-regrade system similar to the safety score. Green responded that the phrasing in the software has been changed from:
"Feature will be restored with an upcoming software release."
To the following phrase, which matches the two weeks mentioned in the release notes:
"Feature will be restored approximately two weeks after suspension."
In another tweet, he explained: …the message is hardcoded to two weeks, so the code is likely same too otherwise the message would be variable as well I would imagine.
The original wording had many believing that with Beta 10.69.25.1, Tesla was transitioning away from global resets and instead resetting them after a specific period, believed to be two weeks. That belief stemmed from the company's previous release notes stating that the FSD Beta feature can "only be removed per this suspension method and will be unavailable for approximately two weeks." However, when the update started rolling out publicly, owners' suspensions remained.
Shorter Suspensions are Productive
To reiterate, because there are many new Tesla owners, FSD becomes disabled if there are too many inattention warnings. So, after being alerted three times (for legacy Model S and Model X cars) or five times (for vehicles with the cabin camera), FSD is disabled. Previously, the length of the suspension has been anyone's guess. Several users have said they were banned from the system for months. Now, the suspension appears to be about 14 days after receiving your last strike.
Hopefully, the shortened suspension is long enough to correct the driver's actions, but it's also short enough that Tesla can continue gathering Autopilot information and reduce frustration. The system has undergone significant improvements, and engineers have said it can only improve with more real-world input.
Tesla is expected to remove the need to provide resistance to the steering wheel with an upcoming update. However, drivers will still need to remain attentive because Tesla will likely start to rely more heavily on the vehicle's in-cabin camera or radar to measure the driver's attentiveness.
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Electric truck survey was completed by AmericanTrucks.com
AmericanTrucks.com
Oh, the irony! American truck drivers are all revved up for electric trucks, yet they can't wrap their heads around the idea that the Tesla Cybertruck is a "real" truck. Sounds like a classic case of a truck identity crisis!
A recent survey by American Trucks delved into the opinions of truck drivers in the United States about electric trucks, revealing a sizable number of them are considering going electric. However, an interesting finding from the survey is that many truck drivers don't see the Tesla Cybertruck as a "real" truck.
The survey aimed to gauge the excitement around electric pickup trucks and understand the preferences of both truck owners and non-truck owners. Electric vehicles have been gaining popularity, but electric pickup trucks have taken longer to enter the market. With more models becoming available, American Trucks sought to identify which ones generate the most interest.
Truck Drivers are Ready for Electric
According to the survey's results, 35% of truck drivers are thinking about transitioning to electric trucks within the next decade, with most planning to do so within the next five years. The electric pickup models that have captured their attention include the Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Toyota Tacoma EV, Rivian R1T, GMC Sierra EV, and Canoo Pickup Truck.
Drivers' slower adoption of electric trucks can be attributed to valid concerns. While range anxiety is becoming less of an issue for most passenger vehicles, it is still significant for truck drivers who use their vehicles for heavy-duty tasks like towing. Electric trucks' range can be affected under these conditions, leading to driver hesitancy.
Cybertruck Gets the Attention
Interestingly, when the survey shifted its focus to non-truck drivers, the Tesla Cybertruck emerged as the most anticipated electric pickup. This finding suggests a difference in perception between truck drivers and the general public, who might be more attracted to Cybertruck's futuristic design and unique features.
Despite the Cybertruck's popularity among non-truck drivers, 56% of the truck drivers surveyed don't believe it is a "real" truck. The reasons for this perception remain unclear, but it could be due to the unconventional design, the vehicle's specifications, or other factors that might not align with traditional truck drivers' expectations.
Electric truck survey was completed by AmericanTrucks.com
AmericanTrucks.com
Production Concerns
Tesla has announced plans to begin Cybertruck production this summer, but many truck drivers surveyed believe it will be at least two years before it becomes widely available. Their skepticism might also be influenced by Tesla's track record of production delays and the fact that there are already around a million reservations for the Cybertruck.
Truck drivers are seeking longer ranges, increased availability of charging stations, and faster charging times before they fully commit to switching to electric trucks. These factors play a crucial role in ensuring that electric trucks can be effectively used for work purposes, just as their gasoline-powered counterparts have been for years. It will be interesting to see how perceptions change and whether the Tesla Cybertruck can eventually win over the hearts of traditional truck drivers.
Tesla's Model 3 Long Range may be set to make a comeback
Not a Tesla App
Tesla halted production of the immensely popular Model 3 Long Range last summer due to an overwhelming backlog of orders extending well into 2023. This move left customers with only the base, rear-wheel drive version and much more expensive performance version of the Model 3 available for purchase.
However, recent developments suggest that Tesla might soon begin accepting orders for the Model 3 Long Range once again. One of our readers, Jake Bercic, pointed out that the price of the Long Range Model 3 has appeared on a Canadian Tesla support page. The price appears among other Tesla models, which all reflect current pricing.
Update: It looks like Tesla has kept the Model 3 Long Range model on this support page, and they updated the pricing in January 2023.
The prices displayed on the Canadian support page for the Long Range Model 3 are:
Rear wheel drive: $54,990 CAD (this version in the US: $42,990)
Dual motor Long Range: $67,990 CAD (equal to approximately $49,700 USD)
Performance: $72,990 CAD (this version in the US: $53,990)
Project Highland and New Price
The possible return of the Model 3 Long Range comes amidst speculation of Tesla's Project Highland - the refreshed Model 3. We recently uncovered more details about Project Highland. The possible reintroduction of the Model 3 Long Range, coupled with Project Highland, could signal a new chapter in Tesla's EV dominance. By bringing back a highly sought-after model and potentially introducing a new and improved version, Tesla continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and meeting the increasing demand for electric vehicles.
The possible reintroduction of the Model 3 Long Range, coupled with Project Highland, could signal a new chapter in Tesla's EV dominance. By bringing back a highly sought-after model and potentially introducing a new and improved version, Tesla continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and meeting the increasing demand for electric vehicles.
Tax Credits
This development is particularly noteworthy, as the Model 3 Long Range's previous price of $57,990 USD, made it ineligible for the new US tax credit for electric cars. With the new regulation, a price cap of $55,000 applies to passenger car models, and $80,000 for SUVs and pickups. That means all Model 3's are eligible for the $7,500 tax credit.
The halt in Model 3 Long Range production came after Tesla CEO Elon Musk warned about potential order freezes due to a sharp increase in demand for electric cars in several regions of the United States. Musk had stated that once Tesla increased production, the model variant would return to the market. Now, it seems that the time for its return might be near.
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