Written by Kevin Armstrong
Tesla makes it easy to see and navigate nearby Superchargers in our app, and we’re currently testing additional features that will give you more charging locations and options to find the one that’s right for you. .
destination charger
In Tesla’s latest app update v4.26, Tesla is testing adding more charging locations to the app. The app now shows destination chargers alongside your own Superchargers. This change is visible in the app north of the border, but your Canadian friends can also see the location of destination chargers in the United States.
Adding thousands of chargers to the Tesla app greatly expands the charging options available to Tesla owners. For now, Tesla’s app only includes Superchargers and destination chargers, but this could soon open the door to third-party charging solutions as well.
filter and charger
Further enhancing the user experience, the Tesla app in Canada now gives users more control. Owners can filter charging points based on power and charger type, whether private or public. You can also filter for available amenities such as restrooms, restaurants, shopping, Wi-Fi, accommodation, cafes, 24-hour operation, and more. This targeted approach ensures drivers find the most compatible and convenient charging station.
The app also introduces the ability to sort available chargers in different ways. You can now sort by distance, power (low to high or high to low), and availability. These filters will become increasingly useful as Tesla adds more chargers to the app.
Reduce dependence on third-party apps
Third-party charging apps like PlugShare, ChargePoint, and Electrify America are essential tools for EV owners. We provide a comprehensive list of charging stations, real-time availability, user reviews, and more. But Tesla’s new feature could reduce dependence on such apps for car owners. Tesla is aiming for a streamlined user experience by integrating some of these features within its own apps.
In Europe, Tesla is already displaying third-party fast chargers in its cars to provide a more comprehensive view of available chargers. Tesla may offer the same functionality in other parts of the world in the future through an app or in-car maps.
Supercharger monitoring and predictive analytics
Tesla is focused on providing fast and reliable charging solutions. The company closely monitors Superchargers and recently announced that it will not only show real-time details of Superchargers, but also predict Supercharger availability and expected wait times upon arrival.
Tesla’s move to integrate Destination Chargers into its app demonstrates the company’s commitment to a great charging experience. It’s still in its early stages and only available in Canada, but Tesla may expand this feature in future updates. If rolled out worldwide and further refined, a Tesla owner may need a single app for all his EV charging needs. As the electric vehicle ecosystem evolves, it will be interesting to see how other brands and third-party apps respond to these innovations.
Written by Kevin Armstrong
Tesla has started releasing update 2023.38 to some lucky vehicle owners. Now that this update is live, we’ve found some additional enhancements that are only available in certain regions.
Predictive charger availability
Tesla has continually improved Supercharger information in vehicles. In recent years, we’ve added the ability to display the number of chargers available at the site’s Supercharger locations, as well as the number of stalls that are out of order. It also shows how busy the Supercharger is at different points of the day.
If you thought live data was the best thing Tesla could do, update 2023.38 has a surprise in store for you. If you’re traveling to a Supercharger, Tesla will predict how many Supercharger stalls will be available when you arrive and show you the expected wait time, if any.
Tesla says it takes into account the travel time to a Supercharger and the travel time of other Tesla vehicles to predict whether a charger will be available upon arrival.
Tesla continues to open up its Superchargers to other electric vehicles, and while the number of non-Teslas charging at Superchargers may be small at this point, that number will increase as more manufacturers adopt Tesla’s charging ports. is expected to increase. It will be interesting to see how accurately Tesla can predict Supercharger availability when it may not be aware of all the vehicles heading to each charger.
Updated hazard lamp pattern
We recently talked about upcoming updates to Tesla’s hazard lights. Tesla appears to use an updated light pattern that flashes up to about three times faster if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
When Tesla officially announced this feature in X, it was not clear which update would bring this feature, but it was discovered in update 2023.38. The updated light pattern is currently only available in select countries, including the United States. It doesn’t seem to be available in most parts of Europe at the moment, but that may change in a future update.
Vampire survivors: Multiplayer game
Update 2023.38 also brings other features, including updates to Vampure Survivors. Just in time for Halloween, Tesla owners and passengers can team up in co-op mode to mow down hordes of the undead. Gameplay allows up to four passengers to participate and transforms the vehicle into a virtual battlefield against zombies. However, this feature has prerequisites.
This requires MCU 3 and is exclusive to recent Model S/X and 3/Y models. For those who are ready to jump into this emotional experience, move your Tesla to Park (P), go to Tesla Arcade and choose Vampire His Survivor. Please note that each player requires their own controller. The controller can be wired or Bluetooth.
Location sharing: Increased transparency
Update 2023.38 also notifies drivers if they are being stalked, called location sharing. A new icon now appears at the top of your touchscreen when an app, including the official Tesla app, requests live location data for your vehicle.
This icon will also appear if a future third-party service has access to your vehicle’s location.
Window adjustment
Tesla is also introducing practical improvements to prevent damage to windows and doors during vehicle updates. The distinctive frameless door design means that the window will lower slightly when the door is opened or closed. However, windows cannot be adjusted during software updates, which increases the chances of window damage. This update lowers the windows slightly to make it easier to open and close the door. When the update is complete, the window returns to its original position.
With each update, Tesla gets a little better. The epic Christmas update is just a few months away. The countdown has begun!
Written by Kevin Armstrong
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have announced measures that could benefit Tesla buyers. Consumers will soon be able to benefit from a federal tax credit at the point of sale for new and previously owned clean cars. This is a move perfectly aligned with Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
Instant rebates on new and used EVs
Starting January 1, 2024, under the Inflation Control Act, buyers of clean new cars like Teslas will be able to transfer up to $7,500 in credits directly to auto dealers. Up to $4,000 in credits can be transferred to anyone considering a previously owned clean vehicle. This system effectively lowers the purchase price of your vehicle instantly. Buyers no longer need to wait for their annual tax return to see their benefits. In return, you’ll enjoy an immediate reduction in Tesla’s price.
This initiative benefits not only consumers but also dealers. The IRS is launching a new website, IRS Energy Credits Online. Dealers must register to promote these clean energy tax credits. Starting in January, dealers who register on the platform can submit information about clean car sales and receive payments quickly (usually within 72 hours) for transferred credits.
Ensuring transparency and reliability
Buyers who transfer credits will receive either a reduction in the purchase price of their Tesla or cash equivalent to the available credits on the eligible vehicle. Dealers must provide clear disclosures during the credit transfer process so that buyers fully understand the amount and eligibility of the credit.
In addition to ensuring clarity for consumers, this guidance also highlights safeguards against fraud. A verification process will be put in place to ensure that only genuine tax compliant dealers will benefit from these advances and only eligible vehicles will receive the credit.
Simplified tax implications
The new proposed regulations also address the federal income tax consequences of these transactions. In the case of Tesla, direct debits and prepayments do not have a significant impact on tax liability. And for buyers, payments made by the dealer, whether in cash or as a down payment on a vehicle, are not considered part of the gross proceeds.
The Inflation Control Act paves the way for cleaner vehicles to become more affordable. The launch of these credits was chaotic, but it now appears that the IRS is responding to consumer and market needs. The move will further boost Tesla’s already skyrocketing popularity and make sustainable driving more accessible.