Tesla, autonomy, charging and the wider EV market.
The 2027 Kia EV9 has a $90 price increase, with the base model starting at $54,990. The 2027 model year brings a few design and packaging updates, including new standard features on select trims. The EV9 offers up to 305 miles of range and a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds in the GT-Line trim.
Why it matters: The 2027 Kia EV9's price increase is relatively small, making it a competitive option in the electric SUV market.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stated that Starlink is its biggest competitive advantage in the US airline industry, but acknowledged that this advantage is temporary. The airline aims to capitalize on its head start by converting trial users into long-term customers. United plans to reach 100% Starlink coverage by the end of 2027.
Why it matters: This development highlights the growing importance of in-flight Wi-Fi in the airline industry and the competitive strategies airlines are adopting to stay ahead.
Tesla's Cybercab skips traditional paint shop, using specialized alloys and in-mold coloring to reduce costs and factory space. The process eliminates the need for a paint line, which can cost hundreds of millions of dollars and require a million man-hours to build. The Cybercab's coloring process is done in the plastics shop, using reaction injection molding and polyurethane resin.
Why it matters: This approach can help reduce factory costs, floor space utilization, and environmental impact by eliminating volatile organic compound emissions associated with traditional spray painting.
Tesla's Robotaxi fleet in Austin logged 438,000 miles in a single week, surpassing Waymo's average of 406,000 miles in the city over the second quarter. However, Waymo drives about seven times more driverless miles than Tesla across the US. Tesla's success in Austin is largely due to its recent launch of public Cybercab rides in the city.
Why it matters: This comparison highlights the challenges Tesla faces in scaling its autonomous driving technology to multiple cities and markets.
A 2013 Tesla Model S with 135,000 miles was purchased for under $13,000 and still has a usable range of 221 miles on a charge. The vehicle's performance remains sufficient. The car's condition is described as still having useful range and enough performance.
Why it matters: This example highlights the potential for long-lasting durability and value in electric vehicles.
BYD has named its new ultra-luxury EV the Yangwang Altior, which will debut next week in the UAE. The car features Rolls-Royce-style coach doors and solid-state batteries. The Altior is part of BYD's Yangwang sub-brand, which showcases the company's latest technologies.
Why it matters: The Altior's debut marks BYD's entry into the ultra-luxury segment, where it will compete with brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Ford's upcoming Fathom electric truck will feature a bidirectional charging system that can power homes without an external inverter, reducing costs. The truck will be priced below $30,000 and can deliver over 10 kW of AC power to a home. The system will also include Home Power Management and Home Backup Power features.
Why it matters: This technology could make bidirectional charging more accessible and cost-effective for homeowners, potentially leading to energy savings and increased adoption of electric vehicles.
Ford's Fathom electric truck will have a built-in DC-to-AC inverter, allowing it to power homes without additional hardware. The system will be integrated into the truck, eliminating the need for separate equipment. The cost of the system is not specified beyond being cheaper than the F-150 Lightning's backup system.
Why it matters: This feature could make the Fathom a more practical option for homeowners who need a backup power source.
Lectric has launched the XP Lite3, a new low-cost e-bike with a starting price of $799. The bike features a lightweight design, improved ergonomics, and a range of up to 80 miles. It is available with two battery options and a Gates Carbon Belt Drive version.
Why it matters: The Lectric XP Lite3 is a budget-friendly e-bike option that offers a range of features and upgrades, making it a viable choice for riders on a budget.
Tesla's Cybercab production line in Texas can build robotaxis faster than the company can deploy them, according to Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy. The line's speed is due to its high level of automation, with 78% of the process automated and a goal of 100% automation in 10 seconds. Tesla has built over 50 Cybercabs for its own fleet since the line moved into volume production in April.
Why it matters: This development highlights the challenges Tesla faces in deploying its robotaxi service, which is set to launch in Dallas next month.
The 2027 Kia EV6 starts at $38,000, $8,000 more than the new EV3. The EV6 remains the same price as last year, despite a $5,000 price reduction on the 2026 model. The EV6 offers up to 237 miles of range with a 63 kWh battery.
Why it matters: This price difference may impact consumer choices between the two Kia electric vehicles.
Tesla designed the Cybercab's battery pack with future lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry in mind, allowing for potential future upgrades.
Why it matters: This design decision may enable Tesla to reduce costs and improve the Cybercab's environmental sustainability.
Tesla has expanded its Robotaxi service area in Houston to 254 square miles, a 916% increase from the previous 25 square miles. The new area covers 1.2 million residents and stretches from the northwest to the southwest of the city. The expansion makes Tesla's Houston service area roughly five times larger than Waymo's.
Why it matters: This expansion increases the availability of fully driverless rides in Houston and provides more residents with access to Tesla's Robotaxi service.
A Hyundai Ioniq 6 owner shared their experience after 30 months of ownership, discussing the car's reliability, performance, and features. The owner noted some issues with the infotainment system and a faulty sensor. The car's range and charging capabilities were also mentioned.
Why it matters: This review provides insight for potential buyers considering purchasing a used Hyundai Ioniq 6, helping them understand the car's performance and potential issues.
Latvia has approved Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for use on its roads, making it the 10th EU member nation to do so. The approval comes after Tesla rebranded the feature as Tesla Assisted Driving. The rollout is expected to begin soon, starting with HW4 vehicles.
Why it matters: This approval brings Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature closer to being available in more European countries, potentially expanding its user base.
BYD's upcoming ultra-luxury EV, a flagship sedan, is expected to debut next week in the UAE, featuring solid-state batteries and rear-hinged coach doors. The vehicle will be the largest and most luxurious electric sedan from BYD, targeting the market of ultra-luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Maybach. The sedan will reportedly support megawatt flash charging and have a starting price in the 2 million yuan range, or about $300,000.
Why it matters: This debut marks BYD's entry into the ultra-luxury electric vehicle market, a significant move for the Chinese auto giant.
Tesla has updated its Canadian website with new specs for the Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, listing a range of 584 km and a 0-100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds, matching the Fremont-built Long Range RWD model. The updated specs suggest that Tesla may be preparing to sell US-built Model 3s in Canada again. The new specs are identical to those of the Fremont-built Long Range RWD model sold in Canada two years ago.
Why it matters: This development may give Canadian buyers a more affordable option for a long-range Model 3, potentially priced lower than the current $75,000 Performance model.
Democrats want to bring the EV tax credit back. But is it too late?
BMW's new iX5 is a fifth-generation electric SUV with a range of up to 435 miles, available in the US in November. The iX5 has a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The vehicle features BMW's Neue Klasse design and a 17.9-inch navigation touchscreen.
Why it matters: The iX5 is significant for electric vehicle enthusiasts as it marks BMW's first electric vehicle built in the US, with production set to begin at its Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina by the end of the year.
Turo hosts can now link their Tesla account to indicate which cars on their platform have Full Self-Driving (FSD) enabled. This allows renters to search for and book vehicles with FSD capabilities. The feature is aimed at increasing the availability of FSD-enabled cars for rent.
Why it matters: This update provides renters with more information about the features of available vehicles, potentially increasing the appeal of renting a car with advanced autonomous capabilities.
SpaceX's Raptor engine has seen a 60% increase in sea-level thrust while reducing mass, with Raptor 4 expected to produce 300 tons of thrust at the same mass as Raptor 3. This improvement is expected to increase the initial thrust-to-weight ratio of the Super Heavy booster, allowing for faster acceleration and more efficient use of propellant. The increased thrust will support heavier vehicles, larger propellant loads, and higher payloads to low Earth orbit.
Why it matters: The improved Raptor engine will enable SpaceX to carry heavier payloads and achieve higher flight rates, making large-scale space transport more practical.
Bluetti's 2026 Elite 300 3,014Wh power station is on sale for $1,099, a $600 discount from its $1,699 MSRP. EGO's 22-inch Select Cut and Touch Drive mower with a 10.0Ah battery is available for $909, a $390 discount. Anker's E10 Whole-Home Backup System is also discounted, starting at $3,799.05.
Why it matters: These deals offer significant savings on high-end power stations and lawn mowers, which can be useful for those looking to upgrade their outdoor power equipment or prepare for potential power outages.
The 2027 Lexus RZ electric SUV will start at under $50,000 and offer over 300 miles of range. The vehicle will be available with three powertrains: 350e, 450e AWD, and 550e F Sport AWD. The 2027 RZ will begin arriving at dealerships early next year.
Why it matters: The 2027 Lexus RZ offers a competitive electric SUV option for those looking for a luxury vehicle with a range of over 300 miles.
It's the same thing that just happened to the Volkswagen ID.4.
Tesla expanded its Robotaxi service area in Houston, Texas, to 254 square miles, with a geofence shaped like a rocket. The new area is roughly 10 times larger than the original service area. The expansion was announced on X with a reference to the Apollo 13 mission.
Why it matters: The expansion highlights the slow growth of Tesla's Robotaxi fleet in comparison to other companies like Waymo.
A Tesla Cybertruck was stopped by police in Germany because it does not have type approval and is too large for a standard driver's license. The driver was holding a class B license, which is not sufficient to operate the vehicle. The police did not allow the driver to continue on their journey.
Why it matters: This incident highlights the challenges of importing and driving a non-compliant vehicle in Europe.
Kia has announced the 2027 EV6 prices, starting at $38,000, with the base model offering up to 237 miles of range. The 2027 Kia EV3 starts at $29,890, about $8,000 less than the EV6. The EV6 and EV3 have similar features, including a 30-inch curved panoramic display and native NACS port for Tesla Supercharger access.
Why it matters: The price difference between the EV6 and EV3 may influence consumer choices in the electric vehicle market.
Turo, a car rental platform, will integrate with Tesla to allow renters to search for and book Teslas with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology enabled. The feature will go live on October 28. Thousands of FSD-enabled Teslas are already listed on Turo. Eligible hosts can link their Tesla account to Turo to verify their car's FSD status and offer it as a feature to renters.
Why it matters: This integration may increase the number of people trying out Tesla's FSD technology, which could lead to more paid subscriptions and help Tesla reach its goal of 10 million active FSD subscriptions by 2025.
Tesla's Tesla Assisted Driving (TAD) suite has been approved in Latvia, its tenth European country. The approval follows recognition of a provisional European type approval granted by the Netherlands' RDW authority in April. A software rollout is expected to begin soon.
Why it matters: This expansion brings Tesla's advanced driver assistance technology to more European customers, but drivers must still remain attentive and prepared to intervene.
Tesla expanded its Robotaxi service area in Houston, Texas, increasing the service area and introducing a new rocket-shaped boundary. The expansion is part of Tesla's pattern of starting with controlled validation zones before widening coverage. The service is now available in six cities, including Austin, Dallas, and Miami.
Why it matters: This expansion provides more residents in Houston with access to Tesla's unsupervised Robotaxi service, which is a key step towards the company's goal of achieving widespread autonomous transportation.
