First Look at Tesla's 'Drive on Sunshine' Feature That Will Charge Your Tesla With Excess Solar Energy

Tesla is getting ready to release 'Charge on Solar' feature

@olympusdev_ (Edited by NATA)

Tesla is set to introduce its innovative "Drive on Sunshine" feature, which allows Tesla owners to charge their cars using surplus solar energy generated by their home solar panels. We first revealed the feature in March with a rendering of what the feature could look like based on details found in the app.

However, we now have our first official screenshots shared by Twitter user @olympusdev_. If you have Tesla Solar and possibly a Powerwall, the feature promises to bring more efficiency and economy to Tesla's clean energy efforts.

For solar panel owners, options for utilizing excess energy generated have been limited. Typically, the surplus energy charges Powerwalls if available, and once full, the excess is sent back to the grid. However, Tesla's "Drive on Sunshine" feature aims to provide a better solution for using this excess energy, making it more economical for Tesla owners than selling the energy back to the power company.

According to a phrase found by Olympus, the "Drive on Sunshine" feature may require a Powerwall to function, although it's not entirely clear. The phrase "Charge on Solar paused for Powerwall Export" hints at the integration of Tesla's energy storage system with the new feature. Further details regarding the exact role of the Powerwall in this process are yet to be disclosed.

How "Drive on Sunshine" Works

The Tesla app, which already allows users to set charging limits for their vehicles, will gain new functionality with the "Drive on Sunshine" feature. Users will have access to two sliders, one for setting the minimum charge of the vehicle that they'd like regardless of the energy generation source and another, called the "Charge on Solar" slider, for specifying the maximum charge they'd like from excess solar energy.

For instance, Tesla owners can set a minimum charge level for daily driving, such as 50%, and a solar limit of 90%. The car will charge at the time specified to reach your minimum charge goal of 50%, enough for your daily errands. If the vehicle remains plugged in during the day and excess solar energy is available, the car will automatically charge up to the 90% limit.

Charging from Multiple Solar Sites

Another exciting aspect of the "Drive on Sunshine" feature is the ability for Tesla owners to choose from multiple solar sites where they want their vehicles to charge using excess solar energy. This added flexibility allows owners to optimize their vehicle charging based on the availability of surplus solar power in different locations.

Release Date

It appears that the Drive on Sunshine feature is dev complete or nearing completion, based on the underlying source code in the latest Tesla app. It may even already be live and in testing for some employees. The feature is expected to launch soon for the general public, and it may even not require an app update for it to appear. Tesla may simply be able to adjust a configuration to turn this feature on for everyone. Keep an eye out for it in your Tesla app.

Tesla's "Drive on Sunshine" feature marks a significant step forward in using clean energy for electric vehicle owners. By enabling Tesla owners to charge their vehicles using excess solar power, the feature ensures a more efficient and eco-friendly approach to electric vehicle charging.

As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of clean energy and electric vehicle technology, the "Drive on Sunshine" feature is yet another example of its commitment to creating a sustainable future.

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A Closer Look at Tesla's Ambient Lighting Feature in the New Model 3 and Cybertruck [Video]

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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If you look up ambient lights for Tesla, you'll see several ads for third-party light kits. Perhaps this is why Tesla added its own Ambient Lights feature to the new Model 3. So, let's get enlightened.

Tesla's ambient lights are thin light strips that are embedded in each of the vehicle's doors near the top edge. It also curves around the dashboard near the windshield, giving passengers a near 360-degree light effect.

Supported Models

Tesla new ambient light feature is available on the new Model 3 (2024+), and will be available on the Cybertruck in a similar manner. With a refresh ongoing for the Model Y, known as Juniper, it will likely also have ambient lights. That just leaves out the most luxurious flagship vehicles, the Model S and X, for now.

The Model S and Model X could be due for a minor refresh that would not only add ambient lighting, but also include a front-bumper camera that the Cybertruck has and the new Model 3 is expected to have in the near future.

Customization

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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The ambient light settings allow you to light up the interior in a color that reflects your mood or preference. Under Controls > Lights > Accent Lights, you are handed the freedom to choose virtually any color to adorn the interior of your Tesla.

You have control over whether the ambient lights are on, off, or set to an "Auto" setting, though not fully clarified, seems to promise intelligent lighting adjustments akin to our control over dome lights, offering a reduction in reflections during drives.

While the ability to control the brightness level seems missing, Tesla did include color presets, letting you curate a series of your favorite colors.

It should be noted that the changes are confined to the light strips on the doors and dash, steering clear of the footwell lights and other interior lighting.

Future Enhancements

With Tesla, we can be assured there will be enhancements to this feature in a future update. In fact, the Tesla community is already busy coming up with useful suggestions. Some owners thought Tesla should take advantage of the lighting to provide driver feedback, such as automatically changing the ambient lighting to a red hue when there's a vehicle in your blind spot. Tesla could also glow the light strip on a door if it's not closed properly, or use the lighting to provide feedback when Sentry Mode is enabled.

Other uses could be more fun, such as cycling the light through various colors when the 'Rainbow Road' easter egg is activated.

Ambient Lighting in Action

While the possibilities are endless and Tesla engineers will surely have fun coming up with creative uses for the feature, the biggest improvement we can hope for in the near future is the ability to adjust the light intensity.

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Tesla Model 3 'Highland' Performance Details Discovered in European Documents

Tesla's new Model 3 received a host of exterior and interior upgrades

Tesla

Tesla outdid itself with the refreshed Model 3, known as the Highland. Despite all the fantastic upgrades, something is missing - the Performance version or perhaps the Plaid. The letter "T" has shown up on vehicle certificates in Europe, and despite Elon Musk's sense of humor, it is unlikely this is a Mr. T reference.

Deciphering the 'T'

A new document shows the new Model 3 Performance will have a dual motor

eivissacopter / X

Diligent scrutiny of the European Type Certificate, issued by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW and shared on the TFF Forum, revealed a subtle yet pivotal alteration — including the letter 'T' in the eighth digit of the Model 3 Performance's VIN.

This seemingly minor detail, indicative of the vehicle's motor/drive unit type, sparked curiosity and speculation on the forum. Could it be a tri-motor setup to usher in a new Plaid version of the Model 3? This vehicle has already got endless amounts of zip, but three motors? May The Schwartz Be With You!

This could also explain the Model 3+ badging that was spotted during the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China inspection of the refresh. However, the regulatory filings highlighted just two distinct variants of the car: a rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a 194 kW motor and an all-wheel drive (AWD) dual-motor setup that combines to deliver a formidable 331 kW of maximum power.

Initial conjectures leaned towards the possibility of a tri-motor setup, drawing parallels with the Plaid variants of the Model S and Model X. However, a deeper dive into the certification document clarified that the Model 3 Performance retained its Dual Motor setup, dispelling the possibility of a tri-motor upgrade.

Strategic Enhancements: A Glimpse into Potential Upgrades

Given the documented specifications, it becomes plausible that Tesla has strategically enhanced one of the dual motors, potentially aligning it with the advanced motor found in the Model S/X Plaid. This modification is poised to augment the top-end speed and acceleration of the Model 3 Performance, addressing its comparative limitations in extended races against traditional gas-powered supercars.

Meanwhile, the Model 3 refresh has become the new Bigfoot of the roads of North America, with rare sightings posted on social media. However, it appears the continent is excluded from the initial launch of the Model 3 Highland. Internal communications within Tesla suggest North American enthusiasts might have to exercise patience until 2024.

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