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Here’s why Tesla’s pickup will transform the heavy-duty truck segment
Following the announcement that Tesla had its sights set on entering the utility truck market with its own version of a pickup truck comes new speculative design features for what a battery-powered and engine-less truck may bring to this new segment.
The folks from Truck Trend have put together in our opinion one of the best renditions of what a Tesla pickup truck may look like. Body lines: sleek. Feature sets: aplenty. Utility: you bet.
In true Tesla fashion, the company’s upcoming foray into the heavy-duty truck market will likely arrive with a compelling list of key differentiators from rival, and arguably traditional, give me a big V8 up front – the bigger the better, truck manufacturers. This won’t be your “good ol’ boys” truck. Rather, the Tesla brand has fashioned itself as being one that carries prestige and a cool factor that people, and the “mass market”, want to be associated with. In other words, Tesla is cool and you can bet your bottom dollar that having a pedigree in NASCAR and dirt bikes won’t be a prerequisite for owning a Tesla pickup truck.
Here’s a list of innovative features for Tesla’s “Model U” (for utility) as envisioned by Truck Trend.
It’s all about the “Frunk”
Tesla owners love their storage space especially the one up front. No engine equals more space to stow groceries, strollers, and – well – stuff. Popping open the frunk won’t be anything short of an Apple unboxing event.
A beautiful and innovative wet/dry storage caddy with drain plug blends seamlessly into a modern looking “engine bay” except there’s no engine. This is what modern day utility will look like. Tesla logo: check. Multiple USB ports and a 120V outlet: double check.
There will be room for extending the use of the frunk through Tesla’s own drop-in accessories that will – you guessed it – be conveniently made available through the company’s online store. Referral program 10.0 will award Tesla pickup truck owners with portable batteries, refrigeration cabinets and organization caddies.
What about the “flatbed”?
Rest assured Tesla’s pickup won’t have any ordinary bed. With the ability to electronically adjust ride-height similar to what’s currently available on the Model S and Model X, Tesla’s truck can lower itself to a position that enables roll-on equipment. An extension in the rear lift gate will create a makeshift ramp allowing bulky items and powersports vehicles to be rolled into the bed.
Truck Trend envisions the Model U to come equipped with a built-in air compressor inside the bed that can be used for running air tools, blowing off dusty bikes or ATVs, or filling up tires.
Source: Truck Trend via Kris Horton
Power and Range
Having four-wheel drive through Tesla’s dual-motor unit is almost a given. Standard, not optional. Power will be abundant. After all, being able to meet Class 3 or even Class 4 towing standards means the electric truck will be capable of hauling up to 14,000 lbs (6350 kg.). That means a big battery pack.
By the time a Tesla pickup truck hits market and the Gigafactory is in full stride, battery pack capacity will likely be upwards of 120 kWh and as high as 160 kWh per pack. The ability to have an add-on battery to further extend power and range isn’t out of the question as we outlined as one possible solution for tackling the Tesla ‘Semi’ conundrum.
A 200 kWh or even 300 kWh pack? Don’t laugh. It isn’t that far-fetched.
What else?
Tesla’s Master Plan – the sequel – envisions a world of sustainable energy generation and accompanying battery-enabled storage solutions. The inevitable Tesla-SolarCity merger will see to it that this isn’t just a vision but a plan the company intends to execute on.
So what does this mean for its upcoming pickup truck? Imagine a battery pack add-on that can double as an extended range unit, but also serve as a home or even small-business power solution. A robot-like device akin to Tesla’s “snakebot” would detach the additional battery pack and slide it from the truck’s bed floor rail system. The battery would then be mounted onto the wall of a garage where it would be charged by a Tesla Energy solar system.
The possibilities are seemingly endless for a Tesla pickup truck. Ideas that may otherwise sound grandiose in nature won’t stop the runaway freight train – that is Tesla – from uprooting and transforming the trucking industry as we know it.
Bring it on.
Photo credit: Truck Trend via Kris Horton
Elon Musk
NASA updated Artemis III and SpaceX’s role just got more complicated
SpaceX’s Starship is the key to NASA’s Moon plan and the timeline is already slipping.
SpaceX has been at the center of NASA’s Moon ambitions for five years, and the updated Artemis III plan recently released by NASA makes that relationship more visible than ever. In April 2021, NASA awarded SpaceX a $2.89 billion contract to develop the Starship Human Landing System, selecting it as the sole provider to land astronauts on the Moon under Artemis III. Blue Origin filed legal protests, lost, and eventually received its own contract, but SpaceX was always the program’s primary lander contractor.
The original plan called for Starship to land two astronauts on the lunar south pole. That mission slipped as Starship development ran behind schedule, and in February 2026, NASA officially revised the Artemis III architecture entirely. The mission will now remain in low Earth orbit and serve as a crewed rendezvous and docking test between the Orion spacecraft and both the SpaceX Starship HLS pathfinder and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 pathfinder, with the actual Moon landing pushed to Artemis IV in 2028.
What makes SpaceX’s position particularly significant is the direct line between this week’s Starship V3 launch and the Artemis timeline. The Starship HLS is essentially a modified version of the V3 upper stage, meaning SpaceX cannot realistically prepare a lander for a 2027 docking test until it has demonstrated that the base vehicle flies reliably at scale. Flight 12, targeting this week, is the first data point in that sequence.
NASA has spent nearly $7 billion on Human Landing System development since awarding contracts to SpaceX and Blue Origin in 2021 and 2023, and NASA administrator Jared Isaacman has indicated a desire to drive down costs going forward. As Teslarati reported, before Starship HLS can put anyone on the Moon it has to solve a problem no rocket has demonstrated at scale, which is refueling in orbit, requiring approximately ten tanker launches worth of propellant loaded into a depot before the lander has enough fuel to reach the lunar surface.
The Artemis III mission described by NASA is essentially a stress test for every system that needs to work before any of that happens.
SpaceX has gone from a launch contractor to the single most critical hardware provider in America’s return-to-the-Moon program. With an IPO targeting a $1.75 trillion valuation and Elon Musk’s compensation tied directly to Mars colonization, the pressure on every Starship milestone between now and 2028 has never been higher.
Tesla is continuing to refine and improve its Robotaxi program from A to Z, and it is now going to make some sweeping changes to the smartphone app portion of the suite.
The company is aiming to make some sweeping changes with the release of Robotaxi app version 26.4.5, which was recently decompiled by Tesla App Updates on X. The update reveals significant new code, focused on remote operations, safety protocols, and seamless autonomous ride-hailing.
These improvements evidently signal Tesla’s preparations for scaling unsupervised Cybercab deployments, particularly the steering wheel-less variants spotted in production. The enhancements emphasize providing a reliable experience that gives passengers support when needed, along with operational efficiency.
Version 26.4.5 of the Robotaxi app has been de-compiled and we’ve got some interesting things added this update (https://t.co/jInbED7fOv):
– Remote Operator Voice Calls 📞
– Proactive Remote Assistance 🤖
– Manual Override + Remote Start for wheel-less Cybercabs 🎮
-…
— Tesla App Updates (iOS) (@Tesla_App_iOS) May 16, 2026
Remote Operator Voice Calls
One standout addition is support for remote operator voice calls. The app now includes a dedicated native voice-communication system linking passengers directly to Tesla teleoperators via the vehicle’s cabin microphone and speakers.
This feature allows real-time assistance during rides, addressing issues like navigation questions or comfort adjustments without disrupting the autonomous journey. It builds on existing support protocols, making human intervention more accessible and intuitive.
Proactive Remote Assistance
The update introduces proactive remote assistance capabilities. Rather than waiting for passenger-initiated requests, the system can anticipate and offer help based on monitored conditions.
This might include something like suggesting route changes, climate adjustments, or addressing potential delays. By integrating AI-driven monitoring with human oversight, Tesla aims to deliver a smoother, more attentive experience that exceeds traditional ride-sharing services.
Manual Override and Remote Start for Steering Wheel-less Cybercabs
A key highlight for the wheel-less Cybercab fleet is manual override plus remote start functionality. Fleet operators and technicians can now temporarily take control or remotely start vehicles lacking steering wheels. This is crucial for lower-speed maneuvers, such as getting vehicles from tight parking situations or even performing maintenance.
Controls are strictly limited for safety–typically to speeds under 2 MPH–ensuring these interventions remain emergency measures only.
Tesla is adding a secure “Enable Manual Drive” mode that will allow those fleet operators or others to take control temporarily.
Additionally, a Remote Start feature, which authorizes an empty vehicle to begin a driverless ride alone.
Ride-Hailing and Dispatch Features
Ride dispatch has been enhanced with soft-matching and multi-stop support. The app can intelligently pair riders with available Cybercabs while accommodating multiple destinations in a single trip.
This optimizes fleet utilization, reduces wait times, and improves efficiency for shared rides. Soft-matching likely considers factors like proximity, rider preferences, and vehicle availability for better user satisfaction.
Rider-Cabin Sync, Real-Time Routing
New synchronization tools allow the rider’s app to mirror and control cabin settings like seating, climate, and entertainment directly from their phone. Real-time routing updates adapt dynamically to traffic or road conditions, while dynamic safety monitoring continuously assesses the environment.
The app can now push updates directly to the main screen, enabling Center Display Control. Additionally, there is a dedicated navigation protocol sharing the exact coordinates of road closures and construction, which could prevent the car from getting stuck and needing manual override.
These features create a cohesive, responsive experience where the vehicle and app work in harmony.
Kill Switch
A high-security command lets Tesla completely freeze a vehicle’s ability to drive. This would take the vehicle out of the Robotaxi fleet for any reason Tesla sees fit, and would not allow it to be put into gear even with the correct equipment, like valid keys.
Elon Musk
SpaceX just forced Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile to team up for the first time in history
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon just joined forces for one reason: Starlink is winning.
America’s three largest wireless carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, announced on On May 14, 2026 that they had agreed in principle to form a joint venture aimed at pooling their spectrum resources to expand satellite-based direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity across the United States in what can be seen as a direct response to SpaceX’s Starlink initiative. D2D, in plain terms, is technology that lets a standard smartphone connect directly to a satellite in orbit, the same way it connects to a cell tower, with no extra hardware required.
The alliance is widely seen as a means to slow Starlink’s rapid expansion in the satellite internet and mobile markets. SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile service launched commercially in July 2025 through a partnership with T-Mobile, starting with messaging before expanding to broadband data. SpaceX secured access to valuable wireless spectrum through its $17 billion deal with EchoStar, paving the way for significantly faster satellite-to-phone speeds.
SpaceX was not shy about its reaction. SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell responded on X: “Weeeelllll, I guess Starlink Mobile is doing something right! It’s David and Goliath (X3) all over again — I’m bettin’ on David.” SpaceX’s VP of Satellite Policy David Goldman went further, flagging potential antitrust concerns and asking whether the DOJ would even allow three dominant competitors to coordinate in a market where a new rival is actively entering.
Weeeelllll, I guess @Starlink Mobile is doing something right! It’s David and Goliath (X3) all over again — I’m bettin’ on David 🙂 https://t.co/5GzS752mxL
— Gwynne Shotwell (@Gwynne_Shotwell) May 14, 2026
Financial analysts at LightShed Partners were blunt, saying the announcement showed the three carriers are “nervous,” and pointed to the timing: “You announce an agreement in principle when the point is the announcement, not the deal. The timing, weeks ahead of the SpaceX roadshow, was the point.”
As Teslarati reported, SpaceX’s next generation Starlink V2 satellites will deliver up to 100 times the data density of the current system, with custom silicon and phased array antennas enabling around 20 times the throughput of the first generation. The carriers’ JV, which has no definitive agreement, no financial structure, and no deployment timeline yet, will need to move quickly to matter.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is targeting a Nasdaq listing as early as June 12, aiming for what would be the largest IPO in history. With Starlink now serving over 9 million subscribers across 155 countries, holding 59 carrier partnerships globally, and now powering Air Force One, the carriers’ joint venture announcement landed at exactly the wrong time to look like anything other than a defensive move.
NASA updated Artemis III and SpaceX’s role just got more complicated
Tesla is making sweeping improvements to Robotaxi
