insidemotor

Focus on EV News & Insights.

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

If Starlink consistently delivers 1 Gbps in the air, do you think operators will view the higher upfront cost as worth it?

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

SpaceX has increased the price of its @Starlink Aviation equipment to $200,000 per business jet, up from $145,000 last year.

"Connecting air travel with 1 Gbps speeds. From takeoff to landing, around the world."

This does not include the monthly service fees. Delivery times for the Starlink Aviation kit typically range from 2 to 12 weeks, depending on demand and aircraft type.

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

It’s easy to see autonomous vehicles as a technology story.
But for many people with disabilities, it’s really a story about dignity, independence, and equal access to mobility.

[Robotaxi @robotaxi]

Cybercab at the National Federation of the Blind's Annual Convention in Austin for a hands-on experience of its accessibility features for blind or visually impaired customers

For example:
– Braille lettering on physical controls
– Space for service animals & assistive devices
– Wheelchair-height seating for easier transfers

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

The most interesting part isn’t that there are now five service areas. It’s that each expansion increases the operational complexity—and that’s exactly what an autonomous ride-hailing network has to prove it can handle.

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

Tesla's Robotaxi/ride-hailing service is now available in 5 areas:

• Miami: Unsupervised Model Y rides only
• Dallas: Unsupervised Model Y rides only
• Houston: Unsupervised Model Y rides only
• Austin: Mix of Unsupervised & safety monitor Model Y rides
• Bay Area: Safety monitor Model Y rides only

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Tesla is dogs' hero!

[DJ @congressdj]

Having a Tesla may have saved my dogs lives. Yesterday, the air-conditioning went out in our home. As you’ve probably read in the news, we are going through some all-time highs here in the DC area. Our home at one point reached 90° and the dogs were absolutely miserable.

If you know about dogs, you know that if the temperature gets too high, you cannot use fans to cool them. It turns your room into a giant convective oven for them since they don’t have an efficient method for evaporative cooling (sweating).

Thankfully, we own two Teslas. We’ve been able to keep the dogs (and their humans) cool all day by running the Tesla climate systems nonstop in both our closed garage and driveway until the HVAC could be repaired.

Remember sticking your face into the refrigerator when you were a kid to stay cool in the summer? Having a Tesla is like that. But you can sit inside and listen to music.

With its rapid cooling, great sound system, large screen for movies, and plenty of space for people and dogs alike, there’s no better way to beat the summer heat than in a Tesla!

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Another step in Tesla’s global expansion. It’ll be interesting to see how demand for Performance models develops in emerging EV markets like Morocco.

[Tesla Europe, Middle East & Africa @teslaeurope]

Just send it

Model 3 & Y Performance now available in Morocco

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Rather than launching an entirely new SUV, Tesla keeps expanding the Model Y into multiple segments. It’s an interesting strategy that could simplify manufacturing while covering more customer needs.

[Tesla @Tesla]

Introducing Model Y Long Wheelbase – now available in the US & Puerto Rico

A 3-row, 6-seat configuration that brings exceptional interior space with ample headroom & legroom for all passengers

0-60 in 4.4 seconds
325 miles of range

– Front row: Heated/ventilated seats w/ powered thigh cushion
– Second row: Heated/ventilated captain seats w/ powered armrests & one‑touch fold
– Third row: Heated seats w/ power recline, one‑touch fold & child seat anchors

–  Improved airflow, increased efficiency & more range

– 89 cu ft of trunk space: with 6 passengers, trunk still fits a 28" and 20" suitcase each, plus frunk holds an additional 20" suitcase. Oversized items like snowboards and bikes also fit easily

– Engineered for safety w/ seat belts & side air bag optimized for second & third row

– Upgraded acoustic glass & suspension to minimize road noise

– Adaptive damping for a smooth, stable ride

– Staggered tires for enhanced grip

– Larger tailgate for better rear visibility & bigger windows overall to deliver great views from every seat

– 16" first row & 8” second row touchscreens + 19-speaker immersive Tesla Audio

– Upgraded 50W wireless charging pads w/ active cooling & charging ports for all other seats

– FSD Supervised & integrated Grok AI

https://t.co/erculCry18

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

If investigators are right that the accelerator override caused the crash, should these incidents still be labeled as “FSD crashes”? Where should the line between driver actions and system responsibility be drawn?

[Simon Unleashed @SimonSaysKnow]

Breaking News: The driver in the fatal Tesla crash, Michael Butler, has been charged with Felony Manslaughter and the investigators are not messing around when it comes to what they believe happened.

The charging document below is worth the read but here are a few highlights I think are worth pointing out and that confirm my findings in the videos test I did in the neighborhood and posted last week.

TLDR summary by the Vehicular Crimes Investigator J. Philipbar:

“Based on (1) the videos of BUTLER and his Tesla before and during the crash, (2) the black box data showing the live activity of the accelerator pedal, steering, and speed before and during the crash, (3) the Google searches demonstrating BUTLER’s recent frustration with the ‘timid’ nature of FSD mode, (4) the absence of any evidence of mechanical failure in the Tesla, and (5) the absence of any medical evidence, despite thorough hospital testing and evaluation, that BUTLER had any seizure, heart attack, or stroke, I have reason to believe and do believe that BUTLER recklessly caused the death of Martha Avila by applying pressure to the accelerator pedal in his Tesla, overriding FSD mode’s speed control, traveling at a speed more than double the speed limit, failing to brake, failing to control speed, driving off the road, driving towards a house, and driving into and through a house, where he struck and killed Avila.”

Case: State of Texas v. Michael David Butler (Cause No. 1970727, Harris County District Court No. 208)

Charge: Felony Manslaughter

Date of Incident: June 19, 2026, ~8:04 PM

Location: 1907 Blooming Park Lane, Katy, Harris County, Texas (residential cul-de-sac)

Defendant: Michael David Butler (driving a blue 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, VIN 5YJ3E1EA1SF987427)

Victim: Martha Avila (elderly female, struck and killed inside her home)

Key investigative findings (drawn directly from dash-cam video, driver-door camera video, vehicle “black box”/airbag control module data, phone data extraction, hospital records, and witness statements from deputies and investigators):

• Butler had been using FSD mode without incident for multiple DoorDash deliveries earlier that evening.

• In the final minutes, while in FSD mode and approaching a left turn, Butler pressed the accelerator pedal (overriding FSD speed control). He continued pressing it progressively to 100% (“pedal to the metal”), causing rapid acceleration straight into the cul-de-sac instead of turning.

• The brake pedal was never pressed in the final minute before impact. No data showed any attempt to steer away from the curb or house.

• No mechanical failure or malfunction was detected in the Tesla.

• Hospital evaluation and testing ruled out seizure, stroke, heart attack, or other medical impairment as the cause. Butler was awake, alert, and coherent after the crash.

• Butler’s phone showed recent Google searches expressing frustration that FSD was “too timid,” “not aggressive enough,” and “FSD is not aggressive enough for city driving.”

@SawyerMerritt @wholemars @DirtyTesLa

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

If Tesla delivers around 406k vehicles but beats expectations in energy storage, would you still consider the quarter a success?

[Dalton Brewer @daltonbrewer]

Tesla is expected to report Q2 Production and Delivery numbers on June 2nd around 8 A.M. CST

Wall Street is expecting 406,000 deliveries and 13.8 GWh of Energy Storage Deployments

How is everyone feeling?!

$TSLA

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

It’s interesting how both SpaceX and Tesla keep proving the same point:
Scaling execution is often a bigger advantage than the technology itself.

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Falcon 9 launches 24 @Starlink satellites from California

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Every breakthrough starts with a simple use case.
The real milestone won’t be carrying luggage—it’ll be the day millions of people quietly rely on robots without thinking twice.

[CONSTITUTION X 🇺🇸 @ConstitustionX]

🚨 ELON JUST CRUSHED THE RED CARPET INTO A FULL-BLOWN SCI-FI BLOCKBUSTER! 🔥🤖
Optimus didn’t just walk — it OWNED the moment, rolling suitcases like the future is already here while Elon grinned like a proud dad watching his creation steal the show. This isn’t a demo… this is the dawn of the robot revolution! 😱🌌
If you could hand your entire life’s chores to an Optimus robot RIGHT NOW — what’s the VERY FIRST thing you’d make it do?
No limits. Be ruthless.
Drop your answer below and watch this thread explode 👇🔥
#ElonMusk #Optimus #RobotRevolution #FutureIsHere

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Rivian’s R2 shows that cutting costs does not have to mean cutting character. Less wiring, fewer modules and simpler suspension reduce manufacturing complexity, while the design keeps the ride, utility and outdoor focus that define the brand. #RivianR2 #EVs

[motortrend @MotorTrend]

Our first drive of the 2027 Rivian R2 explores pricing, cost-cutting changes, performance, and how it compares to the R1. https://t.co/EkOVKePhBO

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Code found in Tesla’s app suggests it may be exploring identity checks for FSD, but no customer feature has been announced. Driver verification could improve access control, yet facial data raises serious questions about consent, storage and false rejections. #TeslaFSD #Privacy

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

Cool, sounds like Tesla will soon use the interior cabin camera to perform driver identity verification before allowing FSD to activate.

“If the system cannot confirm the driver matches the authorized profile, it can block FSD and show a failure message in the app.”

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

At 23, Tesla no longer needs to prove that electric cars can be fast, practical and desirable at scale. Its next chapter is harder: autonomy, robotics and energy must now deliver the same kind of repeatable, dependable operation. #Tesla #PhysicalAI

[Tesla @Tesla]

23 years ago, we set out to prove that electric cars could be great – not just great electric cars, but the best cars overall.

We’ve gone from one electric sports car to 
– Over 9 million vehicles on the road

– Model Y becoming the world’s best-selling car of any kind only 3 years after first deliveries  

– 5 Gigafactories & other manufacturing sites across 3 continents

– The largest & most reliable fast charging network w/ over 80,000 Superchargers globally 

– Energy generation & storage systems helping power homes & grids (over 1 million Powerwalls installed, 70+ GWh of industrial energy storage operating globally across 2,200+ projects)

Today, we’re bringing AI into the real world with autonomy @Tesla_AI and robotics @Tesla_Optimus. 

Tesla is only getting started – a world of amazing abundance awaits

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Tesla says its Supercharger network delivered 2 TWh across 60 million sessions in Q2, while average wait time stayed below 0.5%. The key metric is not plug count alone, but how much useful energy each connector delivers without creating queues. #Supercharger #EVCharging

[X Freeze @XFreeze]

Tesla’s Supercharger network just delivered a monster Q2

In Q2 2026, Tesla Superchargers delivered 2 terawatt-hours of electricity globally

That is enough electricity to power roughly 180,000+ U.S. homes for an entire year

The scale is getting insane:
• 2 TWh delivered
• 60 million charging sessions in 3 months
• 266 kWh sold per plug per day
• Wait-time percentage dropped below 0.5%
• 5,000 site maps now live
• +17% YoY growth

Tesla's EV charging network is becoming global energy infrastructure

Tesla’s charging infrastructure is getting bigger, faster, more efficient, and less congested at the same time

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

If Tesla really reaches 1 million Optimus units per year, what do you think will be the first industry to adopt them at scale?

Manufacturing? Warehousing? Logistics? Healthcare?

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Walking the Optimus production line in Fremont

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Tesla is reportedly testing Cybercab in Austin without a steering wheel or pedals. Every movement is now a public signal. A friendly wrap may attract attention, but trust will depend on predictable driving, clear support and transparent operating data. #Cybercab #Robotaxi

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

Tesla wrapped one of their Cybercabs to celebrate America's 250 birthday🇺🇸

"Made in Texas. Land of the free. Home of the brave."

The front of it has eyes and a mouth lol

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

BMW’s next X5 will offer combustion, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and eventually hydrogen power. The strategy gives buyers flexibility and protects BMW during an uneven transition, but supporting four powertrains adds cost and complexity. #BMW #ElectricVehicles

[BMW @BMW]

Introducing the new BMW X5. Bold presence, intuitive intelligence and unmatched versatility. No change in attitude.

The new BMW X5 offers complete driving freedom with a range of different drivetrains.

#BMW #THENEWBMWX5 #X5

BMW iX5 60 xDrive¹, ²: Energy consumption, combined WLTP in kWh/100 km: 23.9 – 20.1; Electric range, WLTP in km: 645 – 845.

¹ Provisional figures that have not yet been officially confirmed.

² The stated values are based on the mandatory WLTP measurement procedure. The real-life values depend on various factors, e.g. cargo weight, driving style, route, weather conditions, auxiliary electrical consumption (including air conditioning), tires, battery state of health.

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Eligible Memphis households can now get 50% off Starlink service, with free hardware for new subscribers. It is a direct benefit tied to xAI’s Colossus project, but cheaper internet does not replace scrutiny of power, water and environmental impacts. #Starlink #xAI

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

SpaceXAI has announced that they will be applying a 50% discount on the standard @Starlink monthly price for both new and existing customers in the Memphis area as a way to give back to the community where they operate their Colossus data centers.

• No upfront hardware costs on Residential Starlink kits for new customers
• The discount applies to Starlink service addresses located in eligible parts of the Memphis area (see below).
• No action is required. The discount will appear on your next bill and will continue as long as your service address remains in the eligible area.
• Friends and family nearby can also benefit from the discount. You both earn a month of free service through Starlink's referral program.

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Tesla has reportedly hired Intel veteran Gary Jiang to lead Terafab in Austin. The move suggests its chip ambition is entering the execution phase. But one hire is only a start: yields, process control and a deep manufacturing team will decide the outcome. #Tesla #Terafab

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

Tesla has just made its first big hire for its Terafab!

Tesla has hired Gary Jiang, a semiconductor manufacturing veteran of nearly 18 years at Intel, to serve as director of its Terafab chip-fab project in Austin.

Jiang lists his current role as “Director, Tera Fab” at Tesla.

More info: https://t.co/RtS5bu2UKb

[insidemotor @INSIDE_MOTOR_]

Tesla has delivered more than 15,000 vehicles in Malaysia. Winning the next 15,000 buyers will depend less on launch excitement and more on charger availability, repair times, insurance costs and resale values. EV growth becomes an ownership test. #TeslaMalaysia #EVs

[Tesla Malaysia @Tesla_Malaysia]

Over 15,000 Teslas delivered in Malaysia