I talk to a Robotaxi user who took lots of rides in phase one of Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin. Plus: the first self-delivering Tesla has found its new owner, Tesla is currently testing a virtual queuing system for Supercharging, and more! Thank you to all Patreon backers for your generous pledges! I hope you enjoy your ad-free early access to this one, and thanks for your continued support on Patreon! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anyt...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Tesla’s robotaxi service officially launches in Austin, marking a major milestone in the company’s decade-long quest to achieve autonomous driving. Plus: Tesla might be making another new Model Y variant, we may have just gotten a sneak peek at Tesla’s AI5 FSD Computer, and more! Thank you to all Patreon backers for your generous pledges! I hope you enjoy your ad-free early access to this one, and thanks for your continued support on Patreon! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the L...
Jun 22, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Tesla has finally launched the updated Model S and X. I’ll tell you about all the changes and what I think of them. Plus: another new Model Y variant appears to be coming very soon, we’ve got a few new robotaxi updates to discuss, and more! Thank you to all Patreon backers for your generous pledges! I hope you enjoy your ad-free early access to this one, and thanks for your continued support on Patreon! And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Tesla makes three very unique updates to the Model 3 that have absolutely nothing to do with each other but are nevertheless interesting. Plus: the state of New Jersey makes a baffling decision that forces Tesla to decommission Superchargers along the New Jersey Turnpike, Volkswagen plans to go big with Rivian’s software, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Ever...
Jun 08, 2025•1 hr 17 min
We’ve got a reported date for the first driverless robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas, along with a long-ago autonomy forecast that might finally be on the cusp of coming true. Plus: Tesla’s letting you take a two-day test drive of any car you like, Rivian takes a big step towards the R2 going into full production, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little b...
Jun 01, 2025•1 hr 19 min
The new Model Y Performance, an updated Model S, and an updated Model X were all spotted out in the wild – separately! – suggesting that the debuts of those vehicles are imminent. Plus: owners of the refreshed Model 3 and Model Y can now get a subtle but premium upgrade to their dashboards, new details on the upcoming robotaxi rollout in Austin, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and conside...
May 25, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Tesla expands its military discount program to include additional American heroes, Tesla’s ‘Robotaxi’ and ‘Cybercab’ trademarks hit roadblocks, FSD is finally set to (partially) roll out in Europe, Toyota gets a bit more serious about EVs, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level...
May 18, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Tesla has reintroduced the Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y, and the Juniper version of it offers incredible value. Plus: there’s good news and bad news for Cybertruck owners, Rivian ramps up in Illinois to prepare for the R2, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like ear...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 18 min
A new report suggests that Tesla might be readying a three-row Model Y with a longer wheelbase in China, but if it’s true, might it make its way to the US as well? Plus: Tesla’s regulatory path to getting the Cybercab approved just got easier, a newly announced EV pickup truck is taking a unique strategy to be as affordable as possible, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a month...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Tesla held its quarterly earnings call for Q1 2025, and there was plenty covered, from the robotaxis launching in the near future to Optimus to the more affordable Teslas and more. I’ll have highlight clips from the Tesla executive team plus my recap and analysis. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at ea...
Apr 27, 2025•1 hr 55 min
The more affordable Tesla that I’ve been calling the ‘Model 2.5’ is reportedly delayed, one Indiana police department has five years of fleet data that shows that using Teslas as police cars saves taxpayers a ton of money, the largest free EV charging park in the world is at Giga Berlin, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are st...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Tesla has finally rolled out the rear-wheel drive Cybertruck, but it’s VERY different from the one they first announced. I’ll tell you all about what you get and what you don’t on this cheaper version of Tesla’s stainless steel truck. Plus: Tesla’s imminent Spring software update brings a much-requested new feature that should keep a lot of Model Y rear liftgates from getting dented, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://w...
Apr 13, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Tesla announces its first-quarter vehicle production and delivery numbers, and the news isn’t the best – with fellow EV automakers Rivian and Lucid largely in the same boat. Plus: Tesla’s found its chef for its upcoming drive-in diner Supercharger in Hollywood, the regular version of the new Model Y is now available, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every lit...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Tesla mod shop Unplugged Performance's president and founder Ben Schaffer joins me for an interview about the company’s approach to modifying the Cybertruck, the new Model 3 and new Model Y, as well as their big bet on making Tesla police vehicles through their UPfit program. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses ...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 22 min
I've given this a lot of thought and wanted to talk to you about how I feel regarding what's happening around Tesla right now. If you're not interested in this, feel free to skip this one, as the regular episodes will remain on their normal schedule. If you listen and then choose to respond, I hope you'll be considerate towards me and your fellow listeners in the comments. Thank you.
Mar 24, 2025•30 min
A new report out of China says that Tesla is planning a smaller version of the Model Y. Plus: a new software update lets you check on your car’s battery health, the Cybercab gets one step closer to operating on public streets in California, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge leve...
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Tesla is no longer offering custom orders for the classic Model Y, signaling the end of the line for the first generation of the world’s best-selling vehicle and the beginning of its second generation. Plus: Model 3 gets an impressive financing incentive, Cybertruck might finally be heading Down Under, Rivian is extending a hand to orphaned Fisker Ocean owners, and more! NOTE: The non-Tesla EV segment runs from 30:48-41:55 if you'd prefer to skip it. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to su...
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Tesla co-founder, current board member, and former Chief Technical Officer JB Straubel joins me to discuss Tesla’s early days, his interest in batteries, building the first Gigafactory, his battery recycling efforts at Redwood Materials, and more. Enjoy! TIMECODES 10:45 Interview starts 11:33 More of a car guy or engineering guy? 12:14 Origin of his interest in batteries 12:47 Building his first EV…long before Tesla 14:43 Did he always want to go to Stanford for engineering? 15:35 How JB met Elo...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Tesla’s Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen joins me for the third time to celebrate my 500th episode. We discuss his longevity at Tesla, the new Model Y, paint colors, wheel design, the next-gen Roadster, and more. Enjoy! Timecodes: 8:28 Start of interview 10:02 What Franz worked on the day I came in for the interview 11:38 Why he has stayed at Tesla so long (16+ years so far) 12:20 His longevity at Tesla is unusual in the design world 15:10 Tesla’s mission is what drives Franz 16:28 How his ye...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Tesla’s Vice President of Engineering Lars Moravy joins me for a candid conversation spanning a wide-ranging number of topics, from the new Model Y to his memories of pivotal moments in Tesla history to the next-gen Roadster and even the upcoming more-affordable cars. Enjoy! Timecodes: 6:39 Interview begins 7:36 Lars on when he first got into cars 9:42 Remembering his first job in the auto industry, at Honda, and what led him to Tesla 14:01 Early days at Tesla 15:19 He knew the Model S was going...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Comedian and world-renowned car enthusiast Jay Leno – perhaps Tesla’s biggest celebrity fan – welcomed Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and VP of Engineering Lars Moravy to his garage this week to show off the new Model Y, and we learned a lot of fun things about the refreshed vehicle in the process. Plus: thieves who try to steal the copper out of Tesla Supercharging cables will soon be in for a not-so-fun surprise, an update on the timeline for the first 500kW Superchargers, and more!...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 12 min
I got an up-close-and-personal look at the new Model Y and heard from two senior Tesla employees from the Model Y team about the redesigned car. Highlights from that, plus: the Cybertruck now formally gets the point-of-sale $7500 tax credit, good news for Tesla Insurance customers who use Full Self-Driving a lot, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little ...
Feb 09, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Tesla held its Q4 earnings call this week, and among other things, it contained good news for those of you with Hardware 3.0 cars who’ve bought the FSD package. That plus the rest of the highlights from the call along with my analysis on a huge episode! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge l...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 57 min
Tesla’s new refreshed Model Y, aka Project Juniper, has been announced for North America. I’ve got all the details including pricing and options. Plus: the new Model 3 takes home a trophy, Unplugged Performance shows some Los Angeles-area law enforcement officers how good of a patrol car the Model Y can be, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit he...
Jan 26, 2025•1 hr 42 min
A not-even-fully-ramped-up-yet Cybertruck beats all of its competition to become the best-selling EV pickup truck of 2024. Plus: production of the new Model Y has reportedly begun in another one of Tesla’s gigafactories, Tesla tops another major automaker in global sales, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses i...
Jan 19, 2025•1 hr 25 min
The redesigned Model Y, aka Project Juniper, has been revealed by Tesla China. I’ll tell you about what’s new, my thoughts on the design, and when it’s launching in China. Plus: Tesla is the most searched-for car brand in America, every Tesla will soon get an AI chatbot, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in...
Jan 12, 2025•1 hr 39 min
Tesla releases its production and delivery totals for Q4 – and thus we know the numbers for all of 2024. Did they hit their goal? Plus: Cybertruck now qualifies for the $7500 point-of-sale tax credit, the new Model 3 wins a big award in Europe, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge ...
Jan 05, 2025•1 hr 35 min
It’s that time of year: time for my annual Tesla New Year’s predictions. I’ll make some predictions for what to expect from Tesla in 2025, as well as grade my predictions from last year. Plus: Tesla pivots from PPF to vinyl at its service centers, the Cybertruck gets one step closer to launching in China, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit help...
Dec 29, 2024•1 hr 39 min
Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen gives a design overview of the Cybercab, Cybertruck owners get an interim supercharging speed boost as they wait for the full 500kW next year, FSD version 13 goes wide with good news for AI3 owners to boot, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each ple...
Dec 22, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Rumors have been going around about Tesla’s upcoming more-affordable car, and I’m here to help separate the facts from the fiction. Plus: Tesla’s charging standard will become the federal standard, the Cybercab project lead shares a few more details about Tesla’s upcoming driverless robotaxi, and more! If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there a...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 19 min
