Stories by Sarah Lee-Jones

Tesla’s Cybertruck recently demonstrated its robust towing capabilities in a real-world test, impressively hauling a 3,000-pound load to the dunes. YouTube channel Minimal Duck, alongside fellow Tesla enthusiast Ryan Shaw (who had his own time with this same Cybertruck earlier), had a borrowed Cybertruck ‘Cyber Beast’ version to test from an owner. The Cybertruck’s design […]

At CES 2024, Volkswagen unveiled the integration of OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT into its IDA voice assistant, marking a significant advancement in automotive technology. This integration, a collaboration with technology partner Cerence, will be a standard feature in many Volkswagen models starting from the second quarter of 2024. The innovative chatbot, powered by Cerence Chat […]

Tesla Europe & Middle East announced on X that select Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) inventory vehicles are now eligible for a government incentive of up to €5,000 in Flanders, Belgium. This subsidy is available to residents of Flanders who purchase certain Model Y vehicles priced under €40,000. This initiative is part of the Flemish […]

Israel is poised to authorize SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service for limited operations within the country, according to Elad Malka, Deputy Director of the Communications Ministry, reports Bloomberg. The service, however, will be restricted to official bodies, with Starlink agreeing not to provide access to humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip without approval from Israel’s […]

In the wake of the Reiwa 6 Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1 in Japan, which recorded a maximum intensity of 7.0 on the Richter scale , telecom KDDI has been at the forefront of recovery efforts. The earthquake led to prolonged power outages and significant disruptions in transportation and logistics. KDDI’s response includes the […]

We finally get to see a review of Tesla’s Cybertruck when it comes to towing and off-roading, thanks to Ryan Shaw on YouTube, who took the new truck to sand dunes and also showed us some charging performance at Superchargers along the way. The Cybertruck demonstrated its towing prowess by hauling a 3,000 lb electric […]

The emergency medical teams (Service Mobile d’Urgence et de Réanimation; SMUR) of Melun (Seine-et-Marne) have trialed a Tesla Model Y electric vehicle for urgent interventions, marking a first in France. The trial, spanning from November 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, tested the Tesla as a rapid medical intervention vehicle in various conditions. Dr. François […]

Tesla has further expanded its footprint in the Austin area, establishing a significant facility in Hutto, Texas. The purpose of this 36,000-square-foot site at 200 County Road 199 remains undisclosed, despite the bustling activity observed there. The Austin Business Journal reported that the site, located in a rapidly growing industrial hub northeast of Austin, was […]

Tesla has launched sales of its Model Y Long Range in New Zealand, priced at $77,900, with an estimated delivery window of March to April 2024. The vehicle boasts a 533km range under the WLTP standard, a top speed of 217 km/h, and an acceleration of 0-100 km in 5.0 seconds. The starting price for […]

Samsung has announced a significant service integration with Tesla, set to be showcased at CES 2024. This collaboration connects Samsung’s SmartThings Energy with Tesla’s range of products, including the Powerwall home battery, Solar Inverter, Wall Connector charging solutions, and electric vehicles (EVs). Leveraging Tesla’s open APIs, this partnership aims to expand the connectivity of SmartThings […]

Tesla has updated the range estimates for its Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles in the United States and Canada, with changes attributed to modifications in testing methods. United States Changes Below (via @SawyerMerritt): Model X Long Range: Now 335 miles, down from 348 miles. Model X Plaid: Reduced to 326 miles from […]

Tesla has launched two new colors for the Model Y compact crossover for its customers in Canada and the U.S. (via @tslachan). Stealth Grey and Ultra Red are now available for the Model Y. These colors debuted last year for the Model S and Model X, which are manufactured at Tesla’s Fremont factory in California. […]

In a recent live-streamed event on late Wednesday evening and into early Thursday, Tesla’s Cybertruck underwent a comprehensive highway range test, in a video that spanned five hours. This is from the ongoing Cybertruck coverage from Kyle over at Out of Spec Motoring. The test, conducted by Out of Spec Motoring, aimed to determine the […]

Ford Motor Company has reported a remarkable year in 2023, not only maintaining its leadership in traditional gas vehicle lines but also achieving new records in electric and hybrid vehicle sales. In the electric vehicle (EV) segment, Ford reached new heights. The company sold 25,937 EVs in the fourth quarter, a 24 percent increase over […]

Tesla China has reported an impressive performance for the fourth quarter of 2023, setting new records in vehicle deliveries and insurance registrations. According to the latest data, Tesla China’s units based on insurance registrations have seen a significant year-over-year increase, rising from 440,793 units in 2022 to 610,074 units in 2023. That’s a year-over-year increase […]