Tesla has made its colorful wrap options for the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck significantly cheaper in the States, and it now seems poised to offer a wider range of color choices too. But, because this is Tesla we’re talking about, after all, we can’t have nice things without a catch. The company has ditched its pricier, higher-quality Paint Protection Film (PPF) wraps in favor of the more basic (read: cheaper) vinyl wraps.

Cost Savings and Trade-Offs

As pointed out by Notateslaapp, Tesla’s previous PPF wraps were thick, durable, and actually protected your car’s paint. But protection costs money (and time), so Tesla decided to cut a corner, roll out vinyl wraps, and slap a “more affordable” sticker on the move. Vinyl wraps are thinner and easier to apply, which makes them faster and cheaper to install. The trade-off is the reduced durability and protection compared to PPF.

If you own an eligible Tesla and want to make it stand out for the holiday season, now could be a good time to do so. However, you’ll need to live in California or Washington, as only certain service centers are participating in the program.

Tesla launched its wrap service last year, initially limited to Model 3 and Model Y. At that time, PPF wraps were priced between $7,500 and $8,000. The service then expanded to include the Cybertruck, which offered five color options, priced between $6,000 and $6,500 for PPF wraps.

Read: Tesla Unveils 3 New Cybetruck Wraps, But There’s A Catch

Now, Tesla has updated its website to confirm that the cheaper, lower-quality vinyl wraps (of course, they don’t say it like that) are now available for the Model 3 and Model Y at $4,000, with wraps for the Cybertruck priced at $4,500. Interestingly, Tesla is no longer listing a specific selection of colors. Instead, after customers make an online purchase for a wrap, a Tesla Advisor will arrange an appointment where they can choose their preferred color and texture. This likely means a wider array of options will be available. Tesla mentions that all wraps are made from polyvinyl chloride and come in matte, satin, and gloss finishes.

Limited Availability of Tesla Service Centers

Unfortunately, there are just five Tesla Service Centers in the US providing wrapping services. Four are in California, including Costa Mesa, Oceanside, Santa Clara, and West Covina, and the other one is in Seattle, Washington.

Tesla says that the wrap installation typically takes a few days and customers may be provided with a loaner vehicle. All wraps from Tesla include a 12-month warranty for any installation defects and a five-year warranty for material defects.

Interested buyers should be aware that Tesla does not wrap door jambs as standard and this is only available for an additional cost. Additionally, Tesla will inspect the paint before fitting the wrap and may direct buyers to have a complete paint correction performed to ensure the surface is absolutely perfect.

We’re constantly hearing about an EV downturn and how automakers are changing their electrification strategies because consumers aren’t consuming. And sure, sales of electric cars are down in countries like Germany, but in the US people are still buying EVs, and they’re buying more of them than they did 12 months ago.

EV registrations climbed 5 percent in October versus the same month in 2023, topping out at 101,403, according to data from S&P Global Mobility. And it wasn’t Tesla driving that growth, but legacy automakers.

Related: Global EV Sales Shatter Records In November Thanks To China’s Unstoppable Growth

Chevrolet’s EV sales jumped 38 percent to 6,741 helped by demand for the Blazer and Equinox, while Cadillac Lyriq registrations grew threefold to 2,489 and the Hummer shifted 1,015 electric trucks, four times as many as it did last October. 

Like the Equinox, Honda’s Prologue, which is built on the same GM platform and in the same Mexican GM plant, wasn’t available in 2023, but made its presence felt this year. It found 4,168 homes, only 12 fewer than Chevy did of its version. Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 facelift also gave its sales numbers the desired nip and tuck, boosting registrations from 3,555 to 4,485.

Although the overall number of EV sales is up, the rate of growth has slowed and some models registered fewer deliveries than previously. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, for instance, was down from 3,949 to 3,479 according to S&P Global Mobility’s spreadsheet and Rivian R1S sales dropped by more than 500 to 2,456. There are also fears that the EV segment relies heavily on tax credit availability to boost demand, and public interest could wane if Trump pulls the plug on the incentives when he takes office.

BEST SELLING EVs USA

Tesla’s registration numbers actually fell by 1.8 percent, and if you remove Tesla from the equation, EV sales increased not by 5 percent, but by 11 percent. And this isn’t a blip for Tesla: the automaker’s numbers have fallen in seven of the first 10 months of 2024, Auto News reports, and that’s despite the facelifted Model 3 and Cybertruck being new for this year. While the Model 3 gained ground, the Model Y fell back, sales tumbling from more than 25,000 to under 22,000.

But before anyone gets the idea that Tesla is falling behind in the EV race, we should make clear that it still outperformed the second best-selling brand’s EV models six times over. Or every single brand in the 2nd to 12th spots combined.

EV REGISTRATIONS USA

In recent years, Unplugged Performance has firmly established itself as the go-to tuner for everything Tesla, and it has just rolled out a series of new upgrades for the refreshed Model 3 Performance codenamed ‘Project Highland’ . These modifications give the car a significantly more aggressive appearance compared to the standard model.

Like other high-performance Tesla models, the Model 3 Performance doesn’t stray far from its lesser variants in terms of design. Sure, it features sportier touches like a revised front bumper and a subtle rear spoiler lip, but it’s still fairly restrained. To address this, Unplugged has introduced a range of carbon fiber parts, beginning with a redesigned aero kit at the front.

Read: 2,200-Mile Tesla Model 3 Performance ‘Highland’ Sells For $12k Under MSRP

Priced at $3,050 when purchased as a complete kit, the overhauled front fascia includes a carbon lip spoiler, canards, aerodynamic deflectors, and a lower diffuser area. Those who don’t want all of these parts can buy them individually.

Matching the aggressive new front end are carbon fiber side skirts priced from $995, carbon fiber accents for the rear bumper ($395), a carbon diffuser ($595), and a fixed carbon fiber rear wing costing a cool $2,695 and offered in satin and gloss finishes. The entire kit, including all of the front, side, and rear parts, is priced at $7,430.

Unlike many other kits on the market, these aero parts aren’t just for good looks, but also claim to produce an additional 426 lbs (193 kg) of downforce.

Unplugged also offers handling upgrades for the Model 3 Performance, as well as all other Model 3 variants. These include carbon ceramic brakes, several different coilover suspension systems, front and rear limited-slip differentials, new sway bars, adjustable front upper control arms, and braided brake lines. Several different wheel options are also on offer.

Owners seeking the ultimate in performance and willing to spend whatever it takes can buy Unplugged’s flagship wheels with carbon fiber barrels and forged aluminum spokes, starting at an eye-watering $19,995.

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.

Love them or hate them, electric vehicles can deliver mind-bending performance. We’re talking supercar levels of acceleration here, at least for 0-60 mph (96 km/h) and quarter-mile sprints. Take the Tesla Model 3 Performance, for instance.

Priced from $54,990 or $47,490 if you choose the no-cost Stealth Grey option and meet the requirements for the $7,500 federal tax credit (the only color that qualifies without adding the $8,000 FSD package, which unlocks eligibility for all colors and also nets you the tax credit), it might just be the best value in the EV sports sedan segment. That is, as long as you can stomach the depreciation that comes with it, especially compared to something like a BMW M3, which holds its value far better.

More: New Tesla Model 3 Long Range Gets Acceleration Boost Option In Some Markets

Not only does the Model 3 Performance outrun a BMW M3, but it also costs tens of thousands less than the German contender. For context, the base rear-wheel-drive M3 starts at $76,000, offering 473hp and a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds. Step up to the M3 Competition xDrive, with its 523hp and a quicker 3.4-second sprint to 60 mph, and you’re looking at $85,300. And that’s without touching BMW’s extensive options list.

Meanwhile, the Model 3 Performance hits 60 mph in a blistering 2.8 seconds (albeit with a roll-out, so think around 3 seconds flat without) and rockets through the quarter-mile in about 11 seconds , all while offering just over 300 miles (488 km / EPA estimate) of range. Oh, and did we mention buyers are snapping up these Teslas for bargains on the second-hand market?

Second-Hand Steals

Photos Cars&Bids

For example, a Model 3 Performance in Ultra Red recently sold on Cars & Bids for just $46,250. It had only 2,200 miles on the odometer having been purchased new in June of 2024. To put that into perspective, that’s Lexus ES money for a car that delivers supercar acceleration. Apparently, 2,200 miles is all it takes for some buyers to lose interest in owning such a car.

As with all Model Performance variants, the car in question featured a panoramic glass roof, a premium interior, heated and ventilated front sport seats, and 20-inch wheels. The sale also included the Tesla Mobile Connector kit, compatible with both 120V outlets and NEMA 14-50 240V outlets for Level 2 charging.

The seller had the windows tinted and much of the body covered in SunTek paint protection film (PPF), which was applied to the front bumper, headlamps, hood, fenders, and mirror caps. Keep in mind that all of this came from Tesla with an MSRP of $58,380. Even at that price, it’s nothing short of a performance bargain.

A Windshield Or Another Tesla?

Interestingly, we’re about to see if this trend continues as another Model 3 Performance is up for sale again over on Cars & Bids. It has even fewer miles, just 800 so far, and with one day left into the auction, the highest bid stands at $38,250 at the time of writing with a day left (the auction ends on December 2). That’s for a car that, according to the listing, cost $56,380 new.

But why is the seller parting ways with it after so little time? As it turns out, replacing a windshield was enough to drive them into another Tesla. After all, who needs a windshield when you can just buy an entirely new car? Now that’s forward thinking.

“When I had to replace the windshield, Tesla had difficulties getting a replacement. They kept arriving damaged. Then, there was a lack of availability. It was dragging on. I was impatient. I just bought another Tesla while waiting for this one to be repaired,” the seller explained.

And he’s not alone either. A little digging reveals that windshield replacement for Teslas can be a frustrating and costly ordeal. When parts do finally arrive, the cost can hit nearly $1,500. Despite these headaches, the Model 3 Performance remains a killer deal in the sports sedan market. Whether new or lightly used, it’s hard to argue with this level of speed and value.

Photos Cars&Bids

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.

Luxeed, the joint venture between Huawei and Chery, has unveiled the 2025 MY updates for the S7 electric sedan, one year after its debut. The updated EV brings a fresh color palette and a lower price point, with the aim of attracting buyers who might otherwise flock to the Tesla Model 3.

Originally launched in November 2023, the Luxeed S7 faced a sluggish start, largely due to supply issues. However, after re-introducing the electric sedan to the Chinese market in April 2024 with some minor tweaks, the 2025 MY version has now arrived, designed to ramp up customer demand and make a more significant impact in the competitive EV market.

More: Huawei’s Maextro S800 Looks Like Someone Put A Maybach, A Rolls And A Porsche In The Blender

The 4,971 mm (195.7 inches) long S7 was the first to showcase the group’s HIMA styling language, which has since been adopted across other Huawei-backed models like the Stelato S9 sedan, Aito M9 SUV, and the Luxeed R7 coupe SUV.

While the exterior remains unchanged for the 2025 MY, the new color options—Phantom Purple, Blue Wave, Metropolitan Red, and Sunshine Blue—give the S7 a more distinctive presence on the road. It also looks like the Luxeed S7 Ultra performance flagship also borrows some styling cues from the Tesla Model 3 Performance, sporting black 21-inch wheels, red Brembo brake calipers, and discreet aero add-ons.

Interior Upgrades And Tech

Inside, the 2025 S7 carries over much from the 2024 model, but with a few notable updates to its standard equipment. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 15.6-inch touchscreen run on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4 software. The front seats feature zero-gravity technology, while the rear bench offers both heating and ventilation.

Luxeed has also added dual wireless charging pads and a 17-speaker audio system to enhance the cabin’s luxury feel. Furthermore, the Huawei ADS 2.0 system brings semi-autonomous driving capabilities and remote parking, using an array of sensors to assist the driver.

Powertrain And Chassis

The Luxeed S7 rides on the E0X architecture,shared with the Luxeed R7 coupe SUV, as well as the Exeed Sterra ES sedan and ET SUV. The same platform is expected to underpin the new Freelander EVs that will be introduced in China as part of Jaguar Land Rover’s joint venture with Chery.

The sedan is available with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 288 hp (215 kW / 292 PS), or dual electric motors producing a combined 489 hp (365 kW / 496 PS). The CATL-sourced battery packs have a capacity of 82 kWh or 100 kWh, with the latter offering a CLTC range of up to 855 km (531 miles) in the RWD version.

Cheaper Than The Tesla Model 3

The most significant news for 2025 is the Luxeed S7’s reduced price, with cuts ranging between ¥10,000-30,000 ($1,400-4,100) depending on the trim. The updated model now undercuts its primary rival, the Tesla Model 3, by a small margin—though it’s worth noting that Tesla could counter this move with more discounts sooner than you can say “Elon’s sending out another tweet.” .

SPECS

H/T to Car News China

Over the years, many Tesla owners have reported complaints about “phantom braking”—a phenomenon where the car suddenly and inexplicably applies the brakes, often with no apparent hazard in sight. Now, a lawsuit against Tesla over these alleged “phantom braking” issues has been allowed to move forward by a US District Judge in Chicago.

The suit accuses Tesla of concealing a defect in its forward collision monitoring system, which is said to trigger abrupt and unnecessary braking without any real danger present. While some parts of the lawsuit have been dismissed, the central claim regarding the phantom braking issue remains very much alive.

The lawsuit was originally filed by Tesla Model 3 owner Joshua Santiago in 2023. He claimed that the forward collision monitoring system used by Tesla is defective and can suddenly activate when there’s no actual danger or collision risk, described as ‘phantom braking.’ The lawsuit also alleged that Tesla was charging excessive car insurance premiums because of the reportedly defective collision monitoring system.

Read: Tesla Settles Lawsuit Against Rivian Over Claims It Stole Trade Secrets

Late last week, US District Judge Georgia Alexakis ruled to narrow the lawsuit’s scope but upheld the central claim about phantom braking. Tesla had moved to have the entire case dismissed, but the judge’s decision ensures the defect allegations will be heard in court.

The lawsuit alleges that Tesla had known about the alleged defect as early as 2015, but failed to inform customers about it. A whistleblower’s report asserts Tesla had recorded “139 cases of unintentional emergency braking,” and “383 reported phantom stops resulting from false collision warnings.” Hundreds of complaints regarding the faulty system have also been made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Tesla regularly deploys over-the-air software updates, but the plaintiff argues these efforts have failed to resolve the problem. Santiago claims he “would not have purchased his vehicle…had he been aware” of the defect”, positioning the case as a matter of consumer transparency.

Insurance Premium Claims on Hold

While the phantom braking allegations proceed, Judge Alexakis dismissed claims regarding Tesla’s inflated insurance premiums because of the allegedly faulty collision monitoring system. However, plaintiffs have been granted permission to file an amended complaint to revive those claims should they gather additional evidence.

Tesla, for its part, has previously denied claims that it was aware of phantom braking issues in its popular electric vehicles.

We’re now four years past the original scheduled launch date for the Tesla Roadster and there’s no sign of it making a debut until 2025 at the earliest. But rather than wait patiently, one YouTuber built his own, and from what we can see he’s done an awesome job.

David Andreyev calls his home-built creation the CyberRoadster, though it’s neither a truck nor a convertible. But now dressed in 12 coats of candy red paint, it looks incredible all the same. His starting point was a crash-damaged black Model 3 Performance, though there’s very little left of the external bodywork.

Related: Musk Suggests Tesla Roadster Isn’t A Priority, But Thanks “Long-Suffering Deposit Holders”

The roof has been chopped in traditional hot rod style, and every body panel bar the two front doors appears to have been built from scratch or heavily modified. Compared with the concept version of Tesla’s real Roadster, Andreyev’s creation is far more muscular, with a blockier front end and a Dodge Charger Daytona-style hood complemented by wide sill extensions.

It also has a transverse light bar in a nod to the Cybertruck, something not seen on Tesla’s other vehicles. And there’s a definite Italian supercar feel to the back end thanks to the combination of a wide black panel splitting the bumper from the rear bodywork and a fake “engine” visible through a glass panel in the rear deck.

Andreyev says he still needs to finish the interior, but claims it shouldn’t take long. It certainly won’t be as complicated as building the CyberRoadster’s exterior – the rear quarter panels alone took several months to complete and went through more than 30 iterations.

Sure, there are some elements you might change – sticking with the sedan’s front doors means they look too narrow, for instance, and the visibility must be terrible – but considering this was all achieved by one man in his garage without a million-dollar budget, it’s amazing what he’s accomplished. And it gives us hope that creative people will always want to modify cars, no matter what’s under the hood in the years to come.

Images: David Andreyev/@cyber_hooligan

Earlier this week, a Consumer Reports study showed that Tesla EVs were the least expensive cars to run over a 10-year period. But that doesn’t mean anyone buying one is in a for a decade of stress-free driving. Another study, this time published in Germany, has ranked the automaker’s Model 3 last for reliability for the second year running.

The TÜV test is a compulsory roadworthiness assessment – officially called the Hauptuntersuchung – that all cars being used on German roads must undergo every 24 months once they reach three years old. Inspectors check the condition and operation of everything from the chassis structure to the brakes, steering, suspension, lights and a huge list of other items.

Related: Ram Tops J.D. Power Quality Survey, But Dodge Drops From First To Last

It’s a tough test and one out of every five cars fails. Tesla’s Model 3 racked up more failures than any other car in the 2–3 and 4–5-year segments, primarily due to problems with its lights, brakes and suspension.

The TÜV notes that the last two are often a problem with EVs due to their weight compared with equivalent combustion-powered cars and the fact that much of the braking force is generated through energy recuperation, meaning the brakes don’t get enough of a workout to keep them in good order.

“The high mileage cannot disguise the poor performance of the Model 3,” said  Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association. “In addition to defects in the brakes and axles, the Tesla also has a particularly high number of lighting defects. This indicates deficiencies in service and maintenance.”

LOSERS: LEAST RELIABLE CARS

The study also showed that the highest-quality EVs are those made by adapting existing combustion cars. VW’s e-Golf and the Mini Cooper SE, for instance, recorded far fewer faults than bespoke EVs like the Renault Zoe and Tesla Model 3.

The Model 3 was ranked worst in the 2-3 and 4-5-year-old category, with Dacia’s Dokker taking the 6-7 and 8-9 age group raspberries, the same company’s Logan coming bottom in the the 10-11 section, and sister company Renault’s Twingo getting the wooden spoon for 12-13-year-old cars.

At the other end of the scale, there was good news for anyone looking to buy a used Porsche, or a new one that they plan to keep for a long time. The 911 Carrera was rated top in all of the five age categories between 4-13 years. But proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a quality, reliable car, the Honda Jazz took gold in the 2-3-year category.

WINNERS: MOST RELIABLE CARS

Tesla rarely does things quietly, but in a departure from its usual theatrics, the company has subtly reintroduced a feature for its latest compact sedan in select markets. Dubbed the Acceleration Boost, this upgrade for the refreshed 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD promises to make an already quick EV even quicker by unlocking performance that’s already baked in. Predictably, though, this thrill comes at a cost.

Read: Nearly 1 In 4 New Cars Sold In California Are EVs

The feature, already familiar to owners of the current Model Y crossover and the pre-facelift Model 3 sedan, has been introduced as an option in Australia for AU$3,000 (around $1,900 at current exchange rates), as well as in China and Taiwan, where it’s priced at 14,100 yuan (~$1,900).

The boost unlocks additional performance from the electric motors, slashing the 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time from 4.4 seconds to 3.8 seconds. However, vehicles must be running the 2024.20 software version or newer to support the upgrade.

A Software Shortcut to Speed

Tesla offered a similar Acceleration Boost for the pre-facelifted Model 3 and Model Y. It proved quite popular as it offered better straight-line performance, bringing the cheaper Long Range AWD models closer to the flagship Performance variants. This didn’t just provide owners with the opportunity to experience bigger straight-line thrills, but also allowed them to retain the softer suspension setup and tires of the mid-range model, compared to the range-topping Performance model.

The thoroughly updated Model 3 Performance can hit 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds or 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.9 seconds. However, it’s also much pricier. In Australia, the Long Range AWD can be purchased for as little as AU$70,578 (~$46,000), whereas the Model 3 Performance starts at AU$87,250 (~$56,900). Add in the AU$3,000 Acceleration Boost, and you can get a Long Range AWD that only requires an extra 0.7 of a second to reach 100 km/h, all while saving over AU$13,600 (~$8,900).

Admittedly, the Model 3 Performance benefits from a raft of upgrades not found on lower-tier versions, including trick adaptive suspension and forged wheels in a staggered setup—though they’re only available with summer tires. It also boasts a higher top speed of 261 km/h (162 mph), compared to the Long Range AWD’s electronically limited 201 km/h (125 mph).

Where the Long Range AWD really strikes back is range. With a WLTP-claimed 629 km (391 miles) on a single charge, it significantly outpaces the Performance model’s 528 km (328 miles). For most drivers, that extra range is likely to carry more weight than shaving fractions of a second off the 0–100 km/h dash. After all, what good is a rocket ship if it’s constantly tethered to a charging station?

Keep in mind that these driving range figures apply to the Australian market models. In the United States, the updated Model 3 achieves an EPA-claimed range of 363 miles in RWD form, 346 miles for the Long Range AWD, and 303 miles for the Performance variant.

What About the U.S.?

So far, there’s no official word on when the Acceleration Boost will be made available to U.S. customers. But given Tesla’s penchant for rolling out updates globally, it’s safe to assume it’s only a matter of time. For now, international buyers get to enjoy this digital dopamine hit, while the rest of us watch Tesla continue to perfect the art of charging extra to unlock features the car already had all along.

Depreciation is a fact of life, but what you buy has a big impact on resale values down the line. To help consumers, J.D. Power has released their 2025 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards which highlight the vehicles that are projected to hold the highest percentage of their manufacturer’s suggested retail price after three years of ownership.

The winners aren’t exactly a surprise as Honda and Lexus walked away with top honors for the fourth consecutive year. J.D. Power’s Danny Battaglia credited part of this success to Honda’s pricing discipline as well as Lexus’ restraint on incentives, which can negatively impact resale values of older vehicles.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Starts At $59,595

Besides being named the best premium brand, Lexus picked up the most model-level awards. Class honors went to the IS, LS, NX, RX, and TX. Their mainstream counterpart, Toyota, also picked up awards for the Camry and GR Supra as well as the Tundra and Land Cruiser.

Japanese models dominated the rankings as Honda scored wins for the Civic, Passport and Odyssey, while Subaru picked up accolades for the Crosstrek, Forester, and WRX. Other awards went to the Acura Integra and Nissan Kicks.

American brands might have played second fiddle, but GM racked up five wins. The Chevrolet Corvette was named the best “midsize premium sporty car,” while the Cadillac Escalade was the best large premium SUV. GMC also picked up awards for the Sierra 3500 HD as well as the Hummer EV Pickup and SUV.

Interestingly, the soon to be launched Dodge Charger Daytona was named the best electric car. While it remains to be seen what resale values will look like three years from now, electric coupes are virtually unheard of in America so the Charger Daytona doesn’t really have any competition.

Sticking with EVs, the Tesla Model 3 was dubbed the best premium electric car. The Hyundai Kona EV, on the other hand, was named best electric SUV.

Awards were also given to the BMW X1 and 5-Series, Jeep Gladiator and Wagoneer, and Kia Telluride. Mercedes’ only win was for the Sprinter, which took the commercial van class.

California has long been a hotbed for electric vehicles in the USA, and through the first nine months of this year, EVs accounted for 22.2% of all new vehicle sales across the state, according to the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA). While this represents only a modest increase from the EV share reported over the same period last year, it’s significantly more than the 9.1% share they had in 2021.

Between January and September, 1,320,708 new light vehicles (across all powertrains) were registered across the Golden State. This marks a 1.7% decline from the same period in 2021, with 362,881 cars (down 13.1%) and 957,827 light trucks (up 3.4%). By the end of the year, 1.75 million new vehicles are expected to be registered in California—a slight drop from the 1.77 million delivered last year and a considerable decline from pre-COVID years, when annual sales between 2015 and 2019 consistently hit or exceeded 1.89 million units.

Read: SEMA Sues California To Block Sweeping EV Mandate

What’s particularly interesting is the proportion of recent sales that have been for BEVs and hybrids. Sales of BEVs have jumped to 293,109 units, or a 22.2% share of the market year-to-date, slightly higher than the 21.5% share they had through all of 2023. The proportion of traditional hybrid vehicles sold this year has also risen, with 182,469 being registered to new homes. Hybrids now accounted for 13.8% of the total market.

In contrast, plug-in hybrid sales are lagging behind BEVs and standard hybrids. Only 45,244 units were sold in the first nine months of the year, holding steady at a 3.4% market share—the same as their share through all of 2023.

Gasoline-powered vehicles remain by far the most popular powertrain choice in California. Of all the new light vehicles sold in the state this year, 58.3% have gas engines. BEVs are the next most popular at 22.2%, followed by hybrids at 13.8%, plug-in hybrids at 3.4%, and diesel-powered ICE models at 2.3%. Altogether, the combined market share of BEVs, hybrids, PHEVs, and fuel cell vehicles has reached 39.4%.

The best selling EVs

When it comes to BEV dominance, Tesla remains the undisputed heavyweight champion in California. According to CNCDA data, the Tesla Model Y towers over the competition with a staggering 105,693 new registrations from January to September this year, making it the state’s best-selling BEV by a margin that’s almost embarrassing for its rivals. Its smaller sibling, the Tesla Model 3, comes in second with 34,219 units, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5—an up-and-comer in the EV space—takes a distant third with just 11,711 units sold. If the Model Y was a politician, it’d be running unopposed.

However, Tesla’s overall performance in California tells a more nuanced story. The company’s EV market share in the state has slipped by 8.5% compared to last year, marking a full 12 months of incremental declines, according to CNCDA. And while Tesla may still own the lion’s share of the BEV segment, the competition is sharpening its claws. Brands like Kia, BMW, and Hyundai are quietly but consistently chipping away, each posting year-to-date EV market share gains of 1.4%, 1.3%, and 1.3%, respectively.

Toyota the overall leader, Tesla second

Looking beyond BEVs to the broader automotive landscape in California, Toyota comfortably claims the top spot across all powertrains with 215,402 registrations so far this year, holding a commanding 16.3% market share. Tesla settles for second place with a 12.1% share, while Honda rounds out the top three, capturing 10.9% of the market.

Image Credit: Experian Automotive via CNCDA

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.

A few years ago, Tesla was being fiercely criticized for rolling out driver-assistance technologies without any effective driver-monitoring system. It didn’t take long before videos emerged of drivers sleeping behind the wheel, putting all their faith in the car’s onboard systems and sensors.

Tesla eventually introduced driver monitoring, but based on a recent clip that surfaced on Reddit, it doesn’t stop some from behaving irresponsibly.

The video, filmed on a highway somewhere in the States, shows a red Tesla Model 3 cruising along with a sunshield completely blocking the windshield. It seems as if the driver decided it would be a good idea to have a rest and let the car do all of the driving.

Watch: Video Shows Tesla Mistaking Teddy Bear For A Driver And Hitting A (Fake) Kid

In the clip, the Model 3 can be seen driving in the center of the highway and at one stage, approaches a slower-moving Toyota Prius and automatically changes lanes. It then cruises past the occupants of the car filming and it looks as though the owner has stuck old newspaper to the side windows to block out as much of the sun as possible. We don’t actually get a chance to see the driver.

It’s hard to know how the driver has managed to trick the car’s monitoring system. There are devices sold online that clip onto the steering wheel and apply enough torque to it, allowing for a ‘hands-free’ experience.

However, all Model 3s are fitted with a cabin camera that’s used to determine driver inattentiveness and provide audible warnings to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road when Autopilot is engaged. In theory, this should be enough to prevent drivers from doing things as dangerous as this.

Video Reddit

The motorists who filmed this Tesla Model 3 noted the car’s license plate and, hopefully, alerted the appropriate authorities to what they’d seen. While Tesla’s marketing of Autopilot and its Full-Self Driving systems has long been controversial, owners need to remember that even with these technologies enabled, they must remain attentive at all times.

Image credit: Slimanna/reddit

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Police officers across the nation are dealing with a change. Dodge ended production of the last-gen Charger late last year. A replacement isn’t readily available either and several municipalities are looking at electric vehicles as a potential replacement. For some though, the Tesla Model 3 is far from the perfect pursuit vehicle. Instead, they are relying on the Ford F-150 Lightning.

No single vehicle is absolutely perfect for police work, but some certainly perform better than others. A recent trio of interviews with department chiefs from northern California shed some light on what officers think of the available electric vehicle options.

Read: Police Chief Furious Over Unreliable Dodge Durangos He’s Selling At A Significant Loss

Speaking to SF Gate about using a Tesla Model 3, Ukiah Police Department Chief Cedric Crook complained that they’re expensive to outfit, hard to charge due to a lack of infrastructure, and that they’re not big enough. Rather than spacious enough for two prisoners, they can only move one at a time in a Model 3.

When High-Tech Becomes a Hassle

“Tesla back seats only have room for one prisoner,” Crook told the Bay Area news site, which could mean more officers and more cars for incidents with multiple suspects, stretching resources thin. Menlo Park Police Department Chief David Norris had more complaints about his Model Y units.

The safety features were tough for officers to navigate and overcome. Because they’re close to the ground, his officers can’t jump curbs and go off-road as easily as they can in other cars. He also complained about the interior space.

Officers decked out in full patrol gear reported that their duty belts and bulletproof vests dug into the passenger seat, “making it nearly unusable.” Furthermore, they found that the so-called ‘smart’ features, such as autopilot and proximity locking, created headaches when shifting into drive or trying to pull over.

A Space Race Tesla Can’t Win

These critiques make sense considering the dramatic difference in passenger volume when comparing the Tesla Model 3 (and even Model Y) to the Dodge Charger. The electric sedan features 97 cubic feet (Model Y = 106 CuFt) whereas the tried and true Dodge offers 120 cubic feet. That’s a lot more space for people and police equipment.

Of course, most people (even those who aren’t die-hard car lovers) can plainly see that the Charger and Model 3 don’t play in the same sedan segment and that has nothing to do with their propulsion type. A police car made out of a Honda Civic, which has 99 cubic feet of passenger volume, would likely suffer the same criticisms.

More: South Pasadena Cops Are Now Only Rolling Around In Teslas

California’s push to go all-in on zero-emission vehicles by 2035 is just making things more complicated. Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order has forced many municipalities to speed up their EV adoption, but it’s leaving them tangled in logistical nightmares. “The shiny thing is the car; you have to have the charging infrastructure,” Chief Norris told SF Gate, calling out the massive gaps in EV readiness.

Ford’s F-150 Lightning Is The Real MVP

On the flip side, it’s easy to see, based on the critiques of the Model 3, why Fort Bragg Police leveraged the Ford F-150 Lightning. Not only are the Blue Oval’s electric trucks more spacious, but outfitting them and maintaining them is easier in the eyes of Department Chief Neil Cervenka.

“Ford F-150s are the most popular selling trucks in America,” Cervenka pointed out, meaning parts are easy to come by, and plenty of mechanics know how to work on them—even the Lightning model. On the other hand, “Teslas are tricky,” he added, often requiring “a Tesla technician to do a lot of the work. And when they’re in the shop, they’re out of commission for quite a while.”

Cervenka also highlighted another hurdle with Teslas: while there are plenty of nearby vendors to modify an F-150 for police work, the same can’t be said for Teslas. “I would have to transport our vehicles to Southern California, have them outfitted, and then get them transported back, which would be cost prohibitive,” he explained to SF Gate.

Not Everyone’s Giving Up on Tesla

Suffice to say, not all California police departments are as skeptical about Tesla patrol cars. As we reported earlier this summer, the South Pasadena Police Department recently replaced their entire fleet with Model Ys and 3s.

“This initiative not only ensures the safest vehicles for officers and staff but also leads to substantial reductions in both fuel and maintenance costs,” South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky said at the time. He estimated the switch would save the department around $4,000 a year in fuel alone.

Stay Tuned 7.29.24 pic.twitter.com/XtuNgzehJO

— South Pasadena PD (@southpaspd) July 24, 2024

But while Solinsky is confident in those savings, only time will tell if the numbers hold up once the grind of daily patrol duty sets in. Will the charging infrastructure, tech quirks, and space constraints that have frustrated other departments creep in, or will South Pasadena prove Tesla can be the future of police fleets? One thing’s certain—this debate is far from over.

The Future of EV Patrol Fleets

As the EV transition continues, there will no doubt be more options for police departments. We already know that Dodge is set to bring out an electrified Charger Daytona pursuit vehicle—likely the sedan version—which could help fill the gap left by the previous generation, especially if they also offer an ICE-powered variant.

That said, EV skeptics aren’t going anywhere, and neither are the infrastructure challenges that continue to frustrate departments already testing electric patrol cars. The road ahead isn’t as clear as some would like you to believe.

Opening photo Southpasadenaca PD / Unplugged Performance / Carscoops