Tech Brief

Tesla & Electric Vehicles

Tesla, autonomy, charging and the wider EV market.

Electrek

BYD upgrades top-selling small electric SUV with more range, now starting at about $11,000

BYD has introduced an upgraded version of its small electric SUV, the Yuan Up, with increased range and a lower starting price. The new model is available in five trims, with a starting price of around $11,000. The upgraded SUV offers improved range and new features, including a larger 51.13 kWh battery pack.

Why it matters: The upgraded BYD Yuan Up is a significant update to a top-selling electric vehicle, offering improved range and features at a competitive price point.

Not a Tesla App

Tesla Shop Changes This Month: Wall Connector Price Increase, Discontinued Products and New Additions

Tesla updated its online store with new products, price changes, and discontinued items. The changes include new accessories for the Cybertruck, such as a lockable bed storage box and a tailgate utility track. The store also added new apparel and pet-themed items.

Why it matters: These updates provide Tesla owners with new options for customizing and accessorizing their vehicles.

InsideEVs

He Replaced The Battery In A Ford F-150 Lightning. Here's How Hard It Was

A Ford F-150 Lightning owner replaced the battery pack in his vehicle, describing the process as both easier and harder than swapping an engine. The process involved disconnecting electrical connectors, removing the battery pack, and installing a new one. The owner documented the process on social media.

Why it matters: This DIY battery replacement may be relevant to owners who need to replace their battery pack due to warranty or other issues.

Electrek

Tenways e-bikes up to $807 off from $1,599, Mammotion LUBA Mini 2 AWD robot mower bundle $379 off, EGO trimmer, Jetson, more

Tenways e-bikes are on sale with up to $807 off, including the CGO600 Pro Lightweight Chain-Drive Commuter e-bike for $1,599. Mammotion's LUBA Mini 2 AWD robot mower bundle is $379 off, and the EGO trimmer and Jetson Bolt Pro e-bike are also discounted. Additional deals include ENGWE's E26 3.0 full suspension e-bike and Anker's eufyCam C37 4K solar security camera.

Why it matters: These deals offer significant savings on eco-friendly products, including e-bikes, robot lawn mowers, and outdoor power tools.

InsideEVs

A BMW i8, Tesla Model Y, And Audi E-Tron GT All Drag Race, But The Results Are Closer Than You'd Think

A drag race was held between a BMW i8, Audi E-Tron GT, and Tesla Model Y, with the Tesla Model Y achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The BMW i8 and Audi E-Tron GT also performed well, with times of 3.8 and 3.9 seconds, respectively. The results show that electric vehicles have made significant progress in terms of acceleration.

Why it matters: The results highlight the rapid advancements in electric vehicle technology and its impact on performance.

Electrek

Volvo teases its new vehicle design, including a surprise inside

Volvo is launching 13 new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2030, with a new design and interior. The new vehicles will be tailored for Western markets and China, with separate tech stacks for each region. Volvo will preview the new design as a show car concept in Spring 2027.

Why it matters: The new product push is part of Volvo's aim to double its market share by 2030.

Teslarati

Tesla and SpaceX take “Terafab” Trademark fight to Federal Court

Tesla and SpaceX have sued a small Illinois company, TERA-print LLC, over a trademark dispute related to the planned Terafab chip factory. TERA-print had filed a cease and desist letter claiming that Tesla and SpaceX's use of 'Terafab' would confuse consumers. The two companies argue that their planned factory is a large-scale industrial project, not a tabletop lab printer.

Why it matters: The outcome of this case could impact the naming and branding of large-scale industrial projects in the tech industry.

Not a Tesla App

Tesla AI5 Chip Enters Trial Production at Samsung's Texas Fab

Tesla's AI5 chip has entered trial production at Samsung's Texas fab, marking a crucial step towards physical validation and high-volume production. The chip is expected to deliver 5x the raw performance of the current AI4 chip and will be used in Tesla's Optimus robots and AI training clusters before reaching consumer vehicles. Samsung is targeting the end of 2026 to wrap up yield verification and mass production is slated to kick off in 2027.

Why it matters: This development is significant for Tesla's autonomous ambitions and its plans to achieve unsupervised autonomy in its vehicles.

Not a Tesla App

Tesla FSD v14.3.9 Down Under (Update 2026.28.5)

Tesla has released an update for Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Oceania, bringing it to version 14.3.9. The update includes various improvements to the FSD neural network, including upgraded reinforcement learning and vision encoder, as well as enhancements to emergency vehicle response and parking spot selection. The update also adds new features such as improved driver monitoring and intervention tracking.

Why it matters: This update is significant for Tesla owners in Oceania who use the Full Self-Driving feature, as it improves the system's performance and safety capabilities.

Electrek

Tesla to run public Megachargers at 3 Forum Mobility Semi depots

Tesla will operate public Megachargers at three Forum Mobility depots in California, expanding its Semi charging network through partnerships. The depots will have a mix of Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and CCS ports, allowing for fast charging of electric trucks. This is the first time Tesla will operate charging at a non-Tesla-owned site.

Why it matters: This partnership highlights Tesla's strategy to expand its Semi charging network through partnerships with existing charging operators, rather than building its own sites.

Electrek

Kia expects its bigger electric vans to outsell the PV5 as it targets 250,000 by 2030

Kia unveiled the PV7, its second electric van, at IAA Transportation, with a larger size and more variants than the PV5. Kia aims to sell 250,000 electric vans by 2030, with the PV7 and PV9 expected to outsell the PV5. Kia has secured contracts with several companies, including Bravida, Motability, and Kone, for the PV7 and PV5.

Why it matters: Kia's electric van sales target and plans for the PV7 and PV9 may impact the European light commercial vehicle market.

Electrek

Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea electric motorcycle finally goes global, revealing its Western price

Royal Enfield's Flying Flea electric motorcycle is now available for booking in Europe and the UK, with prices starting at €5,990 and £5,300 respectively. The bike will be delivered in October. The initial rollout includes Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, and London.

Why it matters: This marks a significant milestone for Royal Enfield's new all-electric sub-brand, Flying Flea, as it expands its reach beyond India.

Electrek

Lucid and Bolt to deploy 25,000 autonomous EVs across Europe

Lucid and Bolt announced a partnership to deploy 25,000 autonomous EVs across Europe, with Bolt aiming to reach 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035. The vehicles will be built on Lucid's upcoming Midsize platform and designed for SAE Level 4 autonomy. The partnership involves co-development of an 'ADS-ready' vehicle with NVIDIA Hyperion technology.

Why it matters: This deal highlights the growing interest in autonomous mobility and the potential for large-scale adoption in Europe.

InsideEVs

Lucid And Bolt Want To Put 25,000+ Robotaxis On European Roads

Lucid and Bolt are planning to deploy over 25,000 robotaxis in Europe, with Lucid's mid-size crossover serving as the vehicle. The vehicles will be equipped with Nvidia's Hyperion platform for autonomous driving. The deployment is expected to take place in the future.

Why it matters: This development could bring about a significant increase in autonomous transportation options for European cities.

Electrek

Open source semi: Windrose puts its electric truck online, for free

Windrose has made the CAD models for its electric truck's 1,023 parts available online for free, allowing anyone to access and potentially manufacture replacement parts. This move is part of the company's effort to increase transparency and customer trust. The models are available in native PRT format, along with an assembly tree and manifest.

Why it matters: This move could give customers more control over the service life of their vehicles and reduce the risk of being left without support from the manufacturer.

InsideEVs

Toyota's Hydrogen Pickup Is Coming In 2028 With 248-Mile Range

Toyota plans to release a hydrogen fuel cell version of its Hilux pickup truck in 2028, with an estimated range of 248 miles. The vehicle will have a towing capacity of around 5,500 pounds. The exact specifications and features of the truck are not yet detailed.

Why it matters: This development is significant for those interested in hydrogen fuel cell technology and its potential applications in the automotive industry.

Electrek

Solid-state battery maker Factorial secures another big partnership

Factorial Energy, a US-based solid-state battery maker, has partnered with Mitsui Kinzoku to scale up the production of sulfide-based solid electrolytes. The partnership will enable the mass production of solid electrolytes at a dedicated plant in Japan. This collaboration brings together Factorial's Solstice platform with Mitsui Kinzoku's electrolyte technology.

Why it matters: This partnership is significant for the development of commercial solid-state batteries, which could improve the energy density and charging speed of electric vehicles.

InsideEVs

Volvo Is Planning 13 New Cars This Decade In Its Biggest Product Push Yet

Volvo is planning to launch 13 new cars in the next decade, including electric vehicles and latest-generation hybrids. The new lineup will be the largest product push in the company's history. The revamp is expected to start immediately.

Why it matters: This expansion will give consumers more options in the electric and hybrid vehicle market.

Teslarati

NHTSA just escalated its Tesla Cybercab investigation in a big way

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has escalated its investigation into Tesla's Cybercab by issuing a Special Order, requiring Tesla to provide sworn answers to 21 questions about the vehicle's certification by September 30. The order is a more formal and legally binding request than the initial audit. The investigation focuses on how Tesla certified the Cybercab as compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, particularly regarding the lack of a steering wheel, pedals, and mirrors.

Why it matters: This development could potentially expose Tesla to significant civil penalties, up to $139 million, if NHTSA finds the certification was flawed.

Not a Tesla App

Tesla Grok Reminders: What They Are and How They Work

Tesla's Grok assistant can now set reminders tied to specific locations, allowing users to automate tasks such as picking up groceries or charging their car. The reminders can be set to trigger when the user arrives at a destination or when they visit a location regularly. Users can also manage their reminders by listing and editing them through voice commands.

Why it matters: This feature can help users stay organized and on top of their daily tasks, especially for those with busy schedules or multiple daily commutes.

Electrek

Out of this world performance at down to Earth prices: Ausom’s AWESOME fall sale

Ausom is offering a sale on six of its electric scooter models, with discounts ranging from $130 to $200 off the regular price. The sale includes the Gosoul 2, L2 Max Dual Motor, DT2 Pro, Gosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor, K20 Pro Dual Motor, and F1 Max models. The sale runs from now until September 30th.

Why it matters: The sale provides an opportunity for customers to purchase Ausom's high-performance electric scooters at a lower price point.

Teslarati

Tesla uber bull Ron Baron says ‘the time to buy the stock is now’

Tesla bull Ron Baron recommends buying the company's stock, citing the growing adoption of Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, which has seen a 56% year-over-year increase in active subscriptions to 1.48 million. Baron's firm, Baron Capital, has made significant investments in Tesla and SpaceX, generating $30 billion in profits for clients. Baron also expressed support for Elon Musk's leadership and a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX.

Why it matters: This recommendation from a prominent investor may influence the stock market's perception of Tesla's value and potential for growth.

Not a Tesla App

Tesla Launches Model Y L Accessories in the U.S.

Tesla has launched a range of accessories for the Model Y L in the US, including interior liners, sunshades, and a crossbar system. The accessories are available for purchase on the Tesla Shop. The first deliveries of the Model Y L are expected to begin later this month.

Why it matters: These accessories can help owners customize and protect their vehicles, and may also enhance their functionality and convenience.

Electrek

Tesla brings Cybercab to China, rules out sale and robotaxi service

Tesla is showcasing its Cybercab in China, but the company has ruled out selling the vehicle in the Chinese market or launching a driverless ride-hailing service. The Cybercab will be on display in two malls in Beijing and Shanghai from September 17 to 27 and September 21, respectively. The car has no steering wheel and no pedals, making it unsuitable for sale or commercial use in China.

Why it matters: This move highlights the challenges Tesla faces in deploying its autonomous technology in regulated markets like China.

InsideEVs

The Mercedes CLA Is One Of America's Quickest Charging EVs: Test

Mercedes-Benz tested the CLA's charging capabilities, finding it to be one of the quickest charging electric vehicles in the US. The test focused on the car's range and efficiency during a road trip. The CLA's performance in these areas was deemed satisfactory.

Why it matters: This information can help potential buyers understand the CLA's capabilities for long-distance driving.

InsideEVs

The Aventon Level 3 Made Me Fall Back In Love With E-Biking

Aventon's Level 3 e-bike is a commuter e-bike from a popular American brand. It is easy to recommend. The article does not provide further details on the bike's features or specifications.

Why it matters: This review may be helpful for readers considering purchasing a commuter e-bike.

Electrek

Kia is offering big discounts on the EV9, with over $15,000 off at some dealers

Kia is offering discounts on the EV9, with some dealers offering over $15,000 off the sticker price. The discounts are available on both the Light Short Range and Long Range versions of the vehicle. The EV9 is Kia's largest electric SUV, with a starting price of $54,900.

Why it matters: The discounts on the EV9 may make it more competitive with other electric vehicles in the market.

InsideEVs

Tesla Says The Cybercab Is Street Legal. Regulators Want To Know How.

Tesla's Cybercab has been deemed street legal by the company, but regulators are seeking clarification on the self-certification process. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has asked Tesla to provide more information by the end of the month. The agency wants to understand how the Cybercab meets safety standards.

Why it matters: This development may impact the availability and adoption of the Cybercab in the US market.