mrlloyd.net's Tech Brief

Tesla & Electric Vehicles

Tesla, autonomy, charging and the wider EV market.

Teslarati

Elon Musk will give ‘every kid in America’ a SpaceX share in 2027

Elon Musk plans to give every child in the US a share of SpaceX stock in 2027, valued at over $10 billion, as a gift. This announcement comes after Musk responded to a similar initiative by Anthropic. Musk owns approximately 849 million Class A shares of SpaceX stock. The gift would be the first of many, according to Musk.

Why it matters: This move could have a significant impact on the financial lives of millions of American children.

Electrek

Priority’s fan-favorite Sauce bike just got a big electric upgrade

Priority Bicycles has released the E-Sauce, an electric version of its popular Sauce bike, with a 750W rear hub motor and a 20 mph speed limit. The bike features a Gates belt drive, torque and cadence sensing, and a throttle for riders who don't want to pedal. The E-Sauce is designed for a wide range of riding styles and includes features like front and rear rack mounts and built-in LED lighting.

Why it matters: The E-Sauce offers a unique blend of simplicity, reliability, and versatility, making it a viable option for riders who prioritize ease of maintenance and a smooth ride.

InsideEVs

I Let Android Auto Plan My EV Roadtrip. Here’s How It Worked

Android Auto's route planning feature allows users to plan electric vehicle trips by suggesting charging stops and routes based on vehicle range and charging station availability. The feature takes into account the vehicle's battery capacity and the charging infrastructure along the route. Users can also adjust the route to prioritize charging stops or avoid them altogether.

Why it matters: This feature can help EV owners plan longer trips with more confidence and reduce range anxiety.

Not a Tesla App

What If Tesla's Parked Vehicle Screen Matched Your Real Surroundings?

A concept design for Tesla's parked vehicle screen suggests it could match the surroundings of the car's location, using data from Park Assist and FSD. The design would show the actual environment, including objects like trees, Superchargers, and other cars. This concept is based on existing technology and hardware in Tesla vehicles.

Why it matters: This feature could enhance the user experience by providing a more immersive and realistic representation of the car's surroundings.

Electrek

The Volvo EX60 delivered more driving range in the real world, covering over 350 miles

The Volvo EX60 P10 AWD Ultra drove 352 miles on a single charge in a real-world test, beating its EPA-estimated range of 312 miles by 13%. The vehicle outperformed several luxury competitors in the same test. The test was conducted by Edmunds, which uses a standardized method to estimate a vehicle's range in everyday driving conditions.

Why it matters: This result is significant for potential buyers considering the Volvo EX60, as it provides a more accurate estimate of the vehicle's range in real-world driving conditions.

Electrek

Huawei’s car unit joins CATL’s 2,520-station battery swap network

Huawei's car unit, Yinwang, has partnered with CATL's battery swap network, Choco-swap, to offer swappable battery packs and station access to vehicles running Huawei's Qiankun smart driving systems. The partnership aims to link the car, station, and cloud for automated battery swaps. CATL's Choco-swap network has 2,520 stations across 200 Chinese cities.

Why it matters: This partnership highlights the growing adoption of battery swapping technology in the Chinese market and its potential for automation and convenience.

Not a Tesla App

Tesla's New Roadster: All the Details You May Not Know

Tesla's Roadster has four trims: Standard, Performance, Thrust, and Rocket, with the Thrust trim featuring rear cold-gas thrusters for 0-60 mph in under 1 second. The Roadster's drive unit produces one-third more power than the Model S Plaid at half the mass. The Thrust trim's cold-gas thrusters produce more than 80 kN of thrust, equivalent to an F-16's engine without afterburner.

Why it matters: This information provides a detailed look at the capabilities and features of the new Tesla Roadster, which may be useful for potential buyers considering purchasing the vehicle.

Teslarati

Tesla CEO Elon Musk reminds everyone about Roadster’s true meaning

Tesla CEO Elon Musk clarified the purpose of the Roadster project, stating it's meant to be a unique and awesome vehicle, not a key contributor to the company's long-term goals. Musk emphasized that the Roadster is a fun project that pushes the boundaries of what's possible for an automobile. The vehicle's unveiling showcased its capabilities, including flying and accelerating from 0-60 in 0.8 seconds.

Why it matters: This clarification highlights the importance of innovation and creativity in Tesla's product lineup, even if it doesn't directly contribute to the company's main goals.

Electrek

Foxconn pays $727M for half of Mitsubishi Electric’s car parts unit in EV push

Foxconn is acquiring a 50% stake in Mitsubishi Electric's automotive parts business, Mitsubishi Electric Mobility, for $727 million. The deal values the business at $2 billion in enterprise value and $1.15 billion in equity value. The two companies will run the business as an equal joint venture to develop electric vehicle platforms in Japan and globally.

Why it matters: This deal marks Foxconn's biggest bet on electric vehicles and its entry into the Japanese market, with plans to develop EV platforms for Japanese automakers and sell them globally.

Electrek

GM just revealed an electric drive 3500 dually with VERY limited color options

GM has revealed an electric-drive 3500 dually pickup truck with a 102 kWh battery pack and silent electric drive, built on the Chevy Silverado 3500 HD skateboard architecture. The truck is designed for military operations, but its capabilities have implications for the electric truck market. The vehicle features an onboard internal combustion engine to recharge the battery and provide V2L and V2G capabilities. The company is hinting that the truck may see production, with a potential release in 2028.

Why it matters: This development could bring a highly capable electric pickup truck to the market, meeting the needs of commercial fleets and truck enthusiasts.

Electrek

Subaru’s next EV will be smarter, more efficient, and less like a Toyota

Subaru is developing its own electric vehicle technology, including a dedicated EV platform, new batteries, electric motors, and an integrated control unit, to power its next-generation electric vehicles. The new tech is designed to improve efficiency and performance, with a 30% increase in motor efficiency and a 20% higher energy density in the battery pack. Subaru aims to deliver 1.2 million vehicles by the first half of the 2030s.

Why it matters: This move by Subaru could indicate a shift in the automotive industry towards more in-house development of electric vehicle technology, potentially changing the competitive landscape.

Electrek

Tesla (TSLA) proxy shows a board getting ready for a SpaceX merger

Tesla's 2026 proxy filing shows that Ira Ehrenpreis, a director on the company's board, also sits on SpaceX's board, fueling speculation of a potential merger. The proxy also includes details on Elon Musk's compensation and Tesla's financial performance. The company's 2026 annual meeting is set for December 3 at Gigafactory Texas, where shareholders will vote on several items, including re-electing Elon Musk and the board chair, and ratifying PwC as Tesla's auditor.

Why it matters: The proxy filing provides insight into Tesla's financial performance and Elon Musk's compensation, which may be of interest to investors and shareholders.

Electrek

Why this major e-bike brand just started selling battery-less electric bikes

Monarc, a Minnesota-based e-bike company, has introduced a new pricing structure for its Marker and Tracer e-bikes, allowing customers to choose between two batteries, one battery, or no battery at all. The battery-less option is aimed at existing owners who already have compatible batteries and chargers. The move is intended to reduce cost and save owners money, especially for riders who take shorter trips and can recharge at home.

Why it matters: This pricing change allows e-bike owners to customize their purchase and save money, making e-bikes more accessible to a wider range of consumers.

InsideEVs

Rivian Is Giving Some Owners Early Access To Its Latest Hands-Free Driving Tech

Rivian is offering early access to its latest hands-free driving technology to a select group of owners. This feature allows for point-to-point hands-free driving. The company is requiring owners to participate in a beta testing program to gain access.

Why it matters: This development is significant for owners who want to experience the latest advancements in autonomous driving technology.

Electrek

Boot this: BYD Denza B8 driver gets booted, doesn’t care [video]

A BYD Denza B8 driver was seen driving on three wheels after raising one of its wheels to avoid a traffic boot. The vehicle's hydraulic suspension system allows for independent wheel control, enabling the driver to lift the wheel off the ground. The video shows the driver navigating a public street at a low speed.

Why it matters: This incident highlights the potential misuse of advanced vehicle technology for evading parking fines or other penalties.

InsideEVs

Subaru Wants Its Own EVs. A 510-HP Mule Shows What’s Coming

Subaru is developing its own electric vehicle platform, which includes a lighter battery and in-house electronics. The platform is expected to be used for future electric Subaru models. A 510-hp mule has been spotted, showcasing the potential of the new platform.

Why it matters: This development could allow Subaru to differentiate its electric vehicles from its Toyota-based models.

Not a Tesla App

Tesla is Delaying Some Model Y L Orders in the U.S.

Tesla is delaying some Model Y L orders in the US, with delivery dates pushed back by 3-4 months for some customers. The delays affect customers who ordered the vehicle months ago, with some seeing their delivery dates moved from mid-October to January to March 2027. The exact reason for the delays is unclear, but supply or production constraints in the US are possible explanations.

Why it matters: This delay may impact customers who are waiting for their Model Y L deliveries and are planning their transportation needs.

InsideEVs

California’s EV Push Goes Beyond Giving Buyers $3,500

California's new rebate program for electric vehicle buyers has been used by nearly 12,000 customers. The state is also revising its estimates for the expansion of its charging infrastructure. The updated projections indicate a significant increase in the number of charging stations.

Why it matters: This development is significant for California residents considering purchasing an electric vehicle, as it provides more information on the state's plans for supporting EV adoption.

InsideEVs

This Chevy Bolt Has 470,000 Miles. Here’s How Much A New Battery Was

A Chevrolet Bolt with 470,000 miles had its battery replaced, with the cost being potentially lower than replacing an engine in a gasoline-powered vehicle. The exact cost of the replacement battery is not specified. The article does not provide further details on the process or the cost.

Why it matters: This highlights the potential cost-effectiveness of replacing EV batteries compared to traditional engine replacements.

Teslarati

SpaceX’s biggest earnings test yet lands Tuesday, and Tesla shareholders should be watching

SpaceX is set to report its third quarter earnings on Tuesday, with analysts expecting revenue of $12.89 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $6.62 billion. The report will be closely watched by Tesla shareholders, as it may set the price for a potential merger between the two companies. SpaceX has been working to win over a skeptical market and has made significant progress in recent months, including reaching orbit with the Starship Flight 14 and signing a major compute hosting deal.

Why it matters: The earnings report will have a significant impact on the potential merger between SpaceX and Tesla, as it will set the price for Tesla shareholders if a deal is announced.

Electrek

From excavators to hypercars, these LEGO kits were made for EV fans (2026)

LEGO has released a range of plug-powered machines, including hybrid racers, battery-powered excavators, and garbage trucks, categorized by building difficulty. The kits include models of electric cars, trucks, and equipment from various manufacturers. The list includes both official and unofficial LEGO sets, including a tiny GMC Hummer EV concept.

Why it matters: This collection provides a one-stop-shop for EV fans looking for LEGO kits that showcase electric vehicles and equipment.

Teslarati

SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell just made a quiet gesture toward Tesla

SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell has started following Tesla's official account on X, a move that has sparked speculation about a potential merger between the two companies. The timing of the move is significant, as it comes amid a loud conversation about a possible deal. Shotwell's responsibilities have grown since SpaceX absorbed xAI, and she now oversees operations that include Grok and the company's AI compute buildout.

Why it matters: The move highlights the growing integration between Tesla and SpaceX, and may indicate a potential shift in the companies' relationship.

Not a Tesla App

Musk Confirms Bigger Text Option Coming to Tesla Screens

Tesla will add a larger font option to its touchscreen UI in response to a customer's request for improved accessibility. The new option will allow drivers to increase the text size beyond the current 'Large' setting. The exact timing of the update is unclear.

Why it matters: This update could improve accessibility for older drivers who are a key target market for Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology.

Not a Tesla App

The Best Tesla Frunk (Trunk) or Treat Ideas & Halloween Decorations

Several Tesla owners have shared their creative frunk or trunk decorations for Halloween, including a Cybertruck dressed as Master Chief from Halo and a Tesla Model X as a vampire bat. Some decorations are simple, such as using white posterboard to create shark teeth, while others are more complex, like a custom decal for a Lightning McQueen-themed Tesla. Owners have also used Tesla's features, such as the Rave Cave and Boombox, to enhance their Halloween displays.

Why it matters: These creative frunk or trunk decorations can inspire owners to think outside the box and showcase their Tesla's unique features.

Electrek

PGE gets it: electric semi trucks provide HEAVY DUTY backup for the grid [video]

Pacific General Electric (PGE) highlighted the benefits of electrifying medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks, calling them 'batteries on wheels' that can support the grid during peak load events. PGE showcased electric trucks and equipment at an event in Oregon, demonstrating their potential to help manage high electricity demand. The utility is already testing the ability to dispatch energy from electric school buses back to the grid.

Why it matters: This development could provide a new source of stored energy for the grid, keeping ratepayers' bills low and insulating fleets from diesel fuel price volatility.

Electrek

Tiny Titan: new residential battery system from EcoFlow starts small

EcoFlow has introduced a new residential battery system called Titan 5000, a smaller and more approachable entry point to its backup battery offerings. The system starts with a 5 kWh energy storage module and can be scaled up to 30 kWh. The three models differ in output power and capacity for solar panel system integration.

Why it matters: This new system provides a more affordable and accessible option for homeowners to invest in residential energy storage and backup power.