The end of 2024 is fast approaching, and Tesla looks eager to sell as many Model Ss as it can before the end of the month. It’s so desperate to sell its flagship electric sedan that it has reintroduced a free Supercharging for life offer that was last available in 2018.

Tesla recently updated its website to reveal that customers who purchase or lease a new Model S after December 13, 2024, will be eligible for free Supercharging. However, the offer does include some important caveats that somewhat limit its appeal.

Watch: Rogue Tesla Smashes Into Multiple Cars Before Plunging Off Parking Deck

For starters, the free Supercharging offer is tied to an owner’s Tesla Account and cannot be transferred to another vehicle, person, or order, “even in the case of ownership transfer.” That means any Model S sold at a later date won’t retain free Supercharging. Additionally, Tesla says that “vehicles used for commercial purposes,” including taxi, rideshare, and delivery services are excluded from the promotion. While we’re not sure how Tesla can determine if a vehicle is being used for commercial purposes like this, it’s an important catch to take note of.

Tesla has added that owners remain responsible for Supercharger idle and congestion fees when applicable. The carmaker also says it “reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove the free Supercharging from your vehicle in the event of excessive charging or unpaid fees related to Supercharging.” So, in theory, you could wake up and find your car is no longer eligible for free Supercharging.

Price hikes

The announcement of this deal also comes just a few days after Tesla jacked up prices of the Model S in the US by $5,000, meaning the Long Range now starts at $79,990 and the flagship Model S Plaid is priced from $94,990 before destination fees. While anyone who splashes on a new Model S this month will get free Supercharging, they’ll indirectly be paying for it through this price increase.

With Supercharging costing an average of $0.25 per kWh, $5,000 is about 200 full charges of the Model S’s 100 kWh battery pack.

Tesla does not break down sales for each individual model in its lineup, and as of late, it has grouped together sales of the Model S, Model X, Cybertruck, and Semi into a single figure. In Q2, 21,551 of these models were sold, and Electrek believes sales of the Model S/X may have amounted to between 12,000 and 13,000 units, roughly a ~30% decline from the year prior.

Driving is an inherently dangerous task, but several modern tech features are supposed to increase safety. According to one family in California, one such tool, Tesla’s Autopilot, is actually to blame for the death of their loved one. He crashed into a parked fire truck around 4 a.m. on February 18, 2023, and didn’t survive. 

Carscoops covered the crash when it first happened. At the time, it was unclear whether or not the driver were using any semi-autonomous driving features. Now, we know that the driver, Genesis Giovanni Mendoza Martinez, 31, had engaged Autopilot when he crashed into the fire truck. 

More: Rogue Tesla Smashes Into Multiple Cars Before Plunging Off Parking Deck

According to the Independent, the complaint against Tesla on behalf of the Mendoza family says that Giovanni was using Autopilot for 12 minutes prior to the crash. Data reportedly shows that he “generally maintained contact with the steering wheel until the time of the crash.” Why he didn’t see the flashing emergency lights of the truck and slow down or move over is unclear. 

In any case, the complaint says that Autopilot itself is flawed and that Tesla “undertook a widespread campaign to conceal thousands of consumer reports about problems with [its] ‘Autopilot’ feature, including crashes, unintended braking, and unintended acceleration.” For Tesla’s part, it’s responded the way it has with so many cases like this. It argues that the crash and its results “were caused by misuse or improper maintenance of the subject product in a manner not reasonably foreseeable to Tesla.”

Slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles. Truck 1 was struck by a Tesla while blocking I-680 lanes from a previous accident. Driver pronounced dead on-scene; passenger was extricated & transported to hospital. Four firefighters also transported for evaluation. pic.twitter.com/YCGn8We1bK

— Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) February 18, 2023

There’s no question that this entire situation is sad. We all make mistakes and sometimes that includes misunderstanding what a product is or isn’t capable of. Tesla, no doubt, could make it more clear that Autopilot and FSD don’t actually provide genuine Level 5 autonomy – perhaps starting with their names, which may mislead consumers into thinking the cars can actually drive themselves without any human interference.

This seems to be the case here, according to the lawsuit: “Not only was he aware that the technology itself was called ‘Autopilot,’ he saw, heard, and/or read many of Tesla or Musk’s deceptive claims on Twitter, Tesla’s official blog, or in the news media,” the complaint states. “Giovanni believed those claims were true, and thus believed the ‘Autopilot’ feature with the ‘full self driving’ upgrade was safer than a human driver, and could be trusted to safely navigate public highways autonomously.”

At the same time, it seems that previous legal victories for the automaker make one thing clear: ultimately, the driver is responsible for always maintaining control of the vehicle. 

As we pointed out in our original coverage, countless such accidents happen every year involving all kinds of vehicles, not just Teslas. It’s why the NHTSA has created campaigns like “Slow Down, Move Over” to remind drivers what they should do when they encounter an emergency vehicle.

Image Credit: Contra Costa FD

What do Tesla fanatics and Dodge enthusiasts have in common? At first glance, not much, except now, they both have something to argue about. Meet the Dodge Model S Plaidcat—or is it the Tesla Challenger Helldrive? Call it whatever you like, but this Dodge Challenger Hellcat has swapped its thunderous V8 underpinnings for the quiet, yet disturbingly powerful, electric might of a Tesla Model S Plaid.

The once-unthinkable body swap is the brainchild of BoostedBoiz, a YouTube channel with nearly 1.4 million subscribers, and it’s sure to raise some serious eyebrows in both camps.

The Unholy Union of Tesla and Muscle

This Frankenstein build began when the BoostedBoiz team bought a wrecked Tesla Model S Plaid, initially intending to convert it into the ultimate sleeper by dropping the powertrain into a Honda Odyssey minivan. However, a few geometry-related hurdles, mainly the Odyssey’s proportions and alignment issues, led them to rethink the project. A Tesla Model X Plaid provided a more fitting base for that build, freeing up the Model S Plaid’s drivetrain for another mad experiment.

Kyle Wade, the man behind BoostedBoiz, came up with a new plan when he noticed that the 116.5-inch (2,959 mm) wheelbase of the Tesla Model S Plaid aligns almost perfectly with the Dodge Challenger (116.2 inches / 2,952 mm). If that doesn’t sound like a recipe for controversy, we don’t know what does. Hardcore Hellcat fans, will likely be rolling their eyes at this one, unless, of course, Dodge has already talked them into the idea of an electric Daytona.

The next step was to purchase a Challenger shell, which cost just $700. As expected, plenty of cutting was needed to make the Dodge body fit onto the Tesla chassis. The similar width of both cars meant the team had to trim parts of the structure on each model. Fortunately, everything aligned in the end, athough the height of the Tesla’s rear shock towers came dangerously close to piercing the Dodge’s rear glass.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Shows Its Wild Side In Widebody And Demon Renders

Once the fitment was sorted, BoostedBoiz sourced the missing body panels from Dodge Challenger Hellcats, while preserving as much of the original Tesla Model S Plaid interior as possible—including the dashboard, yoke steering wheel, and front bucket seats. The transformation was finalized with the addition of lightning units and Hellcat badges, though a widebody kit may be added in the future to further spice things up.

Tech Meets Torque: The Numbers Game

Weighing in at 4,330 lbs (1,964 kg) or a solid 600 pounds lighter than the original Model S Plaid (4,932lbs / 2,237 kg), this electrified Challenger packs a tri-motor powertrain with 1,020 hp (760 kW / 1,033 PS) and a staggering 1,050 lb-ft (1,423 Nm) of torque. For context, that’s enough muscle to make the drag strip your personal playground. The big question is whether this electric beast can challenge the 8.91-second quarter-mile record of the stock Challenger SRT Demon 170. We’ll be watching closely.

Setting aside the numbers, there’s no doubt the Tesla-powered Dodge will turn heads on the streets, especially when bystanders experience its silent powertrain and impressive acceleration. And when you think about it, the conversion doesn’t seem all that wild, especially considering the upcoming replacement for the discontinued Challenger is the new fully electric Dodge Charger.

Photos: BoostedBoiz / YouTube and Kyle Wade / Instagram

Dashcam footage from a multi-story parking lot in New South Wales, Australia, has captured the shocking moment a Tesla Model S went rogue, careening into multiple vehicles before launching through a barrier and plummeting to the level below. If you’re expecting the usual “driver error” explanation, you might want to think again. This one’s still a mystery.

The crash occurred last Saturday at a DFO mall in New South Wales, Australia. A video shows the Model S initially slamming into the front of Toyota LandCruiser Prado, briefly lifting it into the air and spinning it around. The Tesla then continues to speed across the parking lot, hitting the car with the dashcam. Just two seconds later, it can be heard smashing into the barrier and falling to the pavement.

Read: Tesla Cybertruck Crash Leaves Three Dead After Catching Fire

Despite the severity of the multiple impacts, the 59-year-old driver and 68-year-old passenger were not seriously injured, although they were transported to hospital for treatment.

The damage to the Model S was extensive. The front end was nearly unrecognizable, the tailgate and rear window were shattered, and one of the wheels was ripped off entirely. It’s not every day you see a car come apart like that without some sort of catastrophic failure at play.

No official cause for the crash has been given at this stage, but officers from the New South Wales police force are investigating. The wrecked Model S has also been taken to a garage to have its electronics checked to determine the cause of the crash. It’s unclear if the 59-year-old male driver was in complete control of the car at the time or if it suffered some kind of mechanical and software-related failure.

Numerous crashes involving Teslas in the United States have been blamed on the carmaker’s Autopilot driver assistance systems, but it would be highly unusual if the driver had tried to enable the system in the parking lot. Nevertheless, the cause of this particular incident is still under investigation, and it’s important to determine whether it was related to the vehicle or driver to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The holiday season is upon us, and Tesla has announced a slew of new features that will be included in its annual holiday update. These new features will roll out as part of an over-the-air update starting next week.

Perhaps the most important inclusion in the update is a rear cross-traffic alert feature. In recent years, rear cross-traffic alert has become a standard safety feature across much of the industry but up until now, no Tesla has had it – likely in part due to their reliance on cameras rather than radars. While there’s still no radar, Tesla has enabled the system to alert drivers of pedestrians or vehicles crossing behind while in reverse.

Read: Viral Cybertruck Coated In $60,000 Of 24K Gold Hits the Auction Block

Other handy features are being added. For example, there’s a new Tesla App for the Apple Watch, meaning owners can use their watch to lock/unlock their EVs, view the battery charge, open the frunk, and turn on the climate control. It’ll also now be possible to save dashcam and Sentry Mode clips directly from the Tesla app. Tesla Model 3’s without stalks can also now automatically shift between Drive & Reverse in parking lots and during multi-point turns.

Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck owners will be pleased to hear that SiriusXM is included in the holiday update, too. It’s now also possible to set a preferred battery charge level when arriving at a destination and a rain radar has been added to the navigation system.

https://t.co/X58n3u0vMM

— Tesla (@Tesla) December 2, 2024

BREAKING: Tesla has announced its annual 2024 Holiday Update.

Here's what's new:
• Tesla App on Apple Watch
• Save Dashcam & Sentry Mode clips to phone
• Autoshift between Drive & Reverse on stalkless Model 3
• Maintenance Summary: You can now view & track maintenance items… https://t.co/u1UexGtvUo pic.twitter.com/54Hj25MPzI

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) December 2, 2024

Most of the other updates are minor, including new wraps and license plates available for the avatars used in the Cybertruck’s infotainment system, an improved rear camera feed for the pickup, and the ability for rear-seat passengers in the Cybertruck to play games on the small screen. Fart On Contact is another small update, which will play a fart sound through the speakers as soon as a passenger sits down.

Tesla has made its popular referral program in the US and Canada a little more generous, benefiting both new and existing owners.

The changes start with the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. Those who purchase one of these EVs using an existing owner’s referral will get a hefty $2,000 discount. This is double the $1,000 discount that had been provided previously. Tesla has also increased the discount for the Model 3 and Model Y from $500 to $1,000.

Read: California To Reinstate EV Rebates If Trump Scraps Tax Credit, Just Not For Tesla

Canadian buyers can also benefit from new discounts. Those who place an order for a Model S, Model X, and Model Y, will all receive a CAD$2,600 discount, double what it used to be. That discount is particularly generous for the Model Y as it’s significantly cheaper than both the Model S and Model X.

Existing Tesla owners who provide their referral codes are also being rewarded more. In the US, each successful referral an owner makes will receive $1,000, while in Canada, they’ll get CAD$1,300. This money can be used at the Tesla Shop to buy accessories, for Supercharging, or at Tesla Service centers. Each referrer is capped at ten referrals before it resets. This means owners in the US can stack them and get up to $10,000 off their next vehicle purchase or CAD$13,000 in the Great White North.

The referrals work for newly-ordered vehicles, as well as those in Tesla’s existing inventory.

In September, Rivian launched a Tesla-inspired referral program for its owners. The electric startup offers 750 points ($1 point equals a $1 credit) for an owner who makes a referral and another 750 points to a new buyer who uses that referral code. Both parties also receive six months of free charging at the Rivian Adventure Network. The 750 points can be redeemed for a future vehicle purchase or spent on Rivian’s online stores.

Imagine you’re a criminal who’s running from the police. After perhaps playing a little too much Grand Theft Auto, you get into a police chase, but rather than pulling over, you floor it, trying to outrun the authorities. But you’re not being chased by any old patrol car; instead, a Tesla Model S Plaid is pursuing you. Yes, a Plaid. The EV equivalent of a ballistic missile on wheels, armed with 1,020 horsepower and a 0–60 time that’s under two seconds. Still feeling lucky?

While this scenario is unlikely to unfold (right,guys?), given how pricey the Model S Plaid is, that hasn’t stopped Unplugged Performance’s UP.FIT division from using the flagship EV as the base for its latest pursuit vehicle, unveiled at SEMA. It’s worth pointing out that this is a vehicle designed to showcase the brand’s police-focused upgrades, but Unplugged is accepting orders for its Model S Plaid, should any authorities in the US be interested in getting the ultimate pursuit vehicle.

Read: Unplugged Performance Brings An Army Of Cybertrucks To Take Over SEMA

The modifications are a little more extensive than slapping on some flashing lights and calling it a day. To maximize the EV’s aerodynamics, UP.FIT has decided against using bulky lights on the roof and instead, incorporated these lights behind the windshield and the rear window.

The Model S Plaid’s front end has also been altered with a black push bar incorporating small red and blue lights. UP.FIT has then added high- and low-frequency emergency sirens and installed police lights to the skirts, the tailgate, and the rear diffuser. A black and white livery for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department completes the look.

As standard, the flagship Model S leaves the factory with 1,020 hp and can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 1.99 seconds. That’s more than quick enough to chase down any suspect, so UP.FIT hasn’t messed with the car’s two electric motors. However, it has upgraded the brakes and fitted new forged lightweight wheels.

Now, whether any law enforcement agency can actually justify splurging on a Model S Plaid is another question. But considering the increasingly exotic fleet of police cars out there—some departments already have Cybertrucks, after all—it’s not entirely out of the question.

There’s no shortage of aftermarket accessories available for the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Model S, thanks partly to US-based firms like Unplugged Performance. A Taiwanese firm by the name of Custuning is now throwing its hat into the race and has previewed three Tesla bodykits it will unveil at next week’s SEMA Show.

The lineup kicks off with an upgrade package for the Tesla Model Y, dubbed Notos. If your Greek mythology is sharp, you’ll know Notos as the ancient god of the south wind—a fitting symbol of speed and power, according to Custuning.

Read: Tesla Wants Automakers To Adopt Its New 48V Charge Connector The Way They Did With NACS

Upgrades start up-front, where the tuner has crafted a new bumper for the Model Y, complete with a pronounced splitter. A more aggressive hood has also been designed and new side skirts are included. Found at the rear is a bold diffuser and a larger lip spoiler. The car heading to SEMA is equipped with a slew of other performance parts from the firm, including lightweight forged wheels, eight-piston front brake calipers, and adjustable air suspension.

For the Model S, Custuning has previewed a package called Boreas, after Greek god of the cold north wind, storms, and winter. This one cranks up the aggression several notches, with carbon fiber construction. It’s far less subtle than the Model Y kit and rocks a custom splitter, aerodynamic skirts, and new fins at the rear. According to Custuning, it boosts downforce, although no specific details have been provided. A widebody kit is also under development.

Rounding out Custuning’s Greek-inspired lineup is the Eurus kit for the Model 3, named for the god of the east wind. Like Boreas, the Eurus kit brings a similar design language to the Model 3, with an array of carbon fiber elements for a more sharper and aggressive look.

Drag races are great for seeing how fast a car can accelerate, but a U-drag race tests braking and cornering too. Now, Tesla and Lucid are going head to head with their most potent sedans ever. These are two dramatically different cars but each boasts a four-figure horsepower claim and the performance to back that up.

Tesla’s Model S Plaid packs 1,020 horsepower (760 kW) and the example in this video has the optional $20,000 track pack that includes bigger brakes for better stopping power. The Lucid Air Sapphire comes standard with 1,234 horsepower (920 kW) and multiple track modes including drag strip, hot lap, and endurance. The Air also has some 400 lb-ft (541 Nm) of additional torque.

More: Lucid Air Sapphire Makes A Dodge Demon 170 Look Slow

In race one of this Edmunds U-Drag, we see the Lucid leverage every bit of its extra power and twist to get out to a lead early. In fact, it’s powerful enough that it keeps that lead all the way through the quarter of a mile and into the first turn. Despite having huge brakes, the Tesla can’t reel the Lucid in enough at the bend and the Air Sapphire takes off for the finish line with lots of room between the sedans.

Race two plays out largely the same but with one key differentiator. The Tesla actually begins to reel in the Lucid on the back straight but isn’t quick enough to catch it before the end. Still, it’s an interesting result given that the Lucid has a top speed north of 200 mph (322 km/h). Don’t feel too bad if you’re a big Tesla fan though. This set of races set a new U-Drag record.

In fact, the Lucid Air Sapphire is so quick at this test that it’s a full 1.7 seconds faster than the second-place car, a McLaren 765LT. For its part, the Tesla managed fourth overall, losing to both the 765LT and to a McLaren 750S with a best time of 29.8 seconds.

Image Credit: Edmunds