Issue 397 - CarPlay support
Semi
Semi pricing and support network revealed 📷
Final details for the upcoming Semi include two variants: a Long Range option with 500 miles per charge starting at $290,000 and a Standard Range with 325 miles for $260,000. Even with higher prices than first announced, the Semi undercuts most electric competitors and promises lower running costs, with a typical payback time of four years. Mega-fast charging will be backed by a rapidly growing Megacharger network, especially in Texas and California, and about 20 dedicated service centers are planned to make life easier for fleets going electric.
Supercharging & Energy
Supercharger site maps expand across California
Live Site View Maps now cover more Supercharger locations in California, letting drivers see real-time 3D layouts and stall availability before arriving. This makes snagging a charger easier, especially as more non-Tesla cars use the network and sometimes block extra spots.
Cybertruck vehicle-to-grid pilot launches in Texas
Powershare Grid Support has rolled out for Cybertruck owners in select parts of Texas, letting them send electricity back to the grid during peak demand for bill credits. For now, the invitation-only program is limited to those with Powershare backup hardware and the Tesla Electric Drive plan. The long-anticipated Powershare integration with Powerwall remains delayed to at least mid-2026.
Powerwall 3P unveiled for native 3-phase backup
Powerwall 3P arrives in Germany to address three-phase power needs. Instead of requiring three single-phase units to back up an entire home, the 3P connects to all three phases at once, supporting heavy-duty appliances and simplifying installation and compliance. This also opens up more business backup options in North America, where three-phase power is common in commercial properties, without jumping to the far pricier Megapack.
Software & Features
Dashcam upgrade brings unlimited saved footage
The Dashcam finally drops the 60-minute recording limit and will now let you save as much footage as your USB drive can handle, making it far easier to keep key clips from FSD drives or unexpected events. The rollout starts in China and should reach other regions soon.
Best features added via over-the-air updates 📷
Over-the-air updates have redefined ownership by rolling out major features, many at no extra cost. Highlights include Full Self-Driving Supervised, Navigate on Autopilot, revamped AutoPark, Tesla Theater and video games, plus unique touches like Boombox and the Tesla Light Show. Safety has been boosted with automatic emergency braking, lane departure avoidance, Dashcam and Sentry Mode, along with newer AI-driven tools such as the Grok voice assistant.
CarPlay support still on the roadmap
CarPlay support is still coming, but do not expect the full Apple takeover seen in some brands. Work appears to be focused on a windowed version, similar to Spotify or the web browser, so you can access favorite phone apps without giving up Tesla’s interface or critical features like FSD visuals. Some owners may not miss CarPlay, but others are waiting for it.
Hey Tesla wake word with seat-level awareness rolls out in China
A hands-free "Hey Tesla" voice wake word is rolling out in China, allowing drivers and passengers to trigger the in-car assistant without pressing buttons. The system knows which seat issued the command and can adjust things like climate just for that person. Privacy options let you choose which seats get access, and while the feature is China-only for now, it signals better voice controls, and possibly Grok, coming to North America.
Cybertruck
Cybertruck could become an autonomous delivery van
Plans are underway to transform the Cybertruck into a fully autonomous delivery vehicle, shifting focus from an adventure pickup to an urban cargo workhorse. Production will eventually move to driverless versions tailored for city logistics, with no steering wheel or pedals and a larger cargo area replacing the classic truck bed.
🤓 What the acronym
As a Tesla fan, I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.
FSD: Full Self-Driving