About the Author
Scooter Doll is a writer, designer and tech enthusiast born in Chicago and based on the West Coast. When he’s not offering the latest tech how tos or insights, he’s probably watching Chicago sports.
Please send any tips or suggestions, or dog photos to him at scooter@9to5mac.com
Yesterday
How to test drive a Tesla during the COVID-19 pandemic
Perhaps you’ve seen Tesla’s recent market cap soar over $850 billion. Maybe you’ve been reading about the long rumored refreshes coming to the Tesla Model S and Model X. It could even be that you’ve seen tons of Model 3 sedans on the road lately, and you want to see what all the hype is about. No matter the reason, there’s plenty of opportunities to test out a Tesla before you commit to buying one. While remedies and vaccines are on the horizon, Tesla’s modified test drive procedures to ensure safety and social distancing are still in effect — here’s how it works.
January 25
“Check engine,” “oil level low,” “service engine soon.” These are all dashboard symbols us drivers are familiar with and have previously dreaded when they’re blinking in our faces after we’re already running late. The inrush of electric and hybrid vehicle sales in recent years has made certain dashboard symbols obsolete (bye-bye, oil changes). However, that is not to say that these eco-friendly vehicles don’t have their own unique symbols that drivers, especially those new to EVs, should be aware of.
January 24
While electric vehicles like Tesla have continued to grow in sales exponentially in recent years, they are still a fairly new concept for many people. A majority of consumers purchasing EVs have never previously owned one and may not be aware of the ways traditional ICE vehicles differ. Since these vehicles are electric, the battery is essentially your gas tank, and its health is vital to the longevity of the vessel. Below are some tips to help you get the most range out of your Tesla.
January 19
So you’ve just customized and ordered a Tesla vehicle. Congrats! You’ve scheduled a potential delivery date and you’ve already held a yard sale to clear a spot in your garage. Next, you’ll want to take care of the paperwork to ensure everything goes smoothly for a speedy delivery. Here’s how to reveal your VIN number before it’s posted to your Tesla account.
We are just a couple weeks removed from Tesla’s “lit” holiday update (2020.48.26) and now have further improvements to share. This past week, certain Tesla drivers began to report a new software update available for download. While these two updates are mostly bug fixes, there are some 2020.48.35 Tesla release notes to share to keep you informed. Let’s break it all down below.
Tesla has become synonymous with breakthrough achievements. For example, breaking range and land speed records, breaking market cap valuations, and lastly… breaking wind? Of course! If you have not yet taken advantage of “Emissions Testing Mode,” allowing you to order your Tesla to fart on command, you’re obviously missing out. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure flatulent fun for all.
January 12
As Tesla’s stock currently continues to rise along with its current market cap valuation approaching $800 billion, it’s safe the say the American EV automaker is doing okay. Tesla currently produces four electric vehicles at its various factory locations around the world. These Gigafactories also produce battery and solar technologies for the brand. With a semi-truck and Cybertruck already confirmed and on the horizon, and goals to produce a $25,000 model, Tesla is continuously growing.
As the world moves into 2021, electric vehicles are a major storyline. Even long-established and more traditional automakers (some with over 100 years of experience) have finally wisened up and pivoted toward EVs to stay competitive. In the next couple years, three major automotive brands, old and new, will release three highly anticipated electric trucks. We’re speaking about Tesla’s upcoming Cybertruck, Ford’s F-150 EV pickup truck, and GMC’s modern spin on a gas-guzzling behemoth with the Hummer EV.
January 10
If you’re reading this article, you know Tesla. You may even be reading this from inside your Model 3 as it’s docked at a Supercharger. As we desperately scramble away from the ceaseless test of will that was 2020, we look toward to the new year with newfound hope and optimism. 2021 is a big year for everyone and everything, including electric vehicles. To help keep you in the know for the future, here are several of the best Tesla alternatives and where they currently lie on their journey up the EV ladder.
January 7
Tesla’s Model S and Model 3 provide drivers with either a taste of veteran performance or refreshing innovation and value. Both combine to form the US automaker’s line of electric sedans, although they share more of their mechanical makeup with their respective assembly-line SUV partners. Below is a comprehensive breakdown comparing old and new to help you decide which sedan may be the Tesla for you.
January 5
As sales of electric vehicles continue to surge entering 2021, many new and prospective customers have questions about qualifying for federal tax credit on electric vehicles.
Whether you qualify is not a simple yes or no question… well, actually it sort of is, but the amount you may qualify for varies by household due to a number of different factors. Furthermore, there are other potential savings available to you that you might not even know about yet.
After much teasing from CEO Elon Musk, Tesla has released its long promised “holiday update.” It is now available over the air to Tesla’s entire EV fleet. The release notes of the Tesla software update 2020.48.26 have a lot of new features to offer Tesla owners.
This post will focus on one of the more robust updates released by Tesla in recent months, version 2020.48.26. Here’s a breakdown of the release notes and what new improvements Tesla drivers can expect from this update.
December 31, 2020
Apple has gifted the world with a library of devices that have since become household names, many of which we use daily. There’s the iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, and AirPods; but when you think Apple, Car is not the first word to come to mind. That might soon change as recent news has breathed new life into over ten years of rumors surrounding Apple’s attempt at an electric car. Here’s everything we know so far, along with the winding road of a backstory that brought us to this point.
December 22, 2020
As the two youngest electric vehicles to join Tesla’s fleet, the Model 3 and Model Y have quickly helped propel the automaker to a market cap over $600 billion. While both EVs share several of the same parts, they do remain unique from one another in many ways. While not exhaustive, this side by side comparison of Tesla’s Model 3 and its Model Y should help you get a basic idea for how these cars differ…
December 14, 2020
Tesla 2021: Everything we know about the latest Model 3, Model Y, and more
As 2020 comes to a much-celebrated wrap, the Tesla community is looking toward 2021 with high hopes. As the current golden child of electric vehicle manufacturing, Tesla looks to continue its reign and scale its ever-growing fleet. Below is a compilation of what Tesla’s 2021 models include and what customers can expect when their 2021 EV is delivered to their driveway.
How much is a Tesla? Your guide to Tesla prices
You’ve read about all the improvements to emerge both inside and out each 2021 Tesla model, and maybe you’re more than a little bit tempted. Next, reality sets in, and that age old question rears its head: “how much?” No need to click through several variations of each Tesla on Tesla’s website, it’s all been compiled for you here.
December 10, 2020
So you’re thinking of getting a Tesla lease? Smart choice. Have you considered the more affordable Model 3? Or perhaps you have the money to splurge on the beyond ludicrous Model S “Plaid?” What color? What added features? Should you buy instead of lease? These are all questions you’ll have to deal with.
Fear not prospective leasee, below is a comprehensive guide outlining what a new Tesla lease entails and what options to consider before you put the pedal to the floor.
