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Tesla to address Baby Mode requests with clever Joe Mode revamp

(Photo: Andres GE)

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted at an update to the company’s “Joe Mode” feature that would make it far more customizable for electric car owners.

On April 19, Musk responded to a tweet from a Twitter account called Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, who requested a “Baby Mode” for the company’s vehicles. This new mode would be a quieter, more discrete version of Tesla’s “Joe Mode,” which halves the volume of in-car chimes to avoid disturbing children who are sleeping in the back seat.

When asked for an update on the feature, Musk recently suggested that “Joe Mode” could simply be modified to make the feature quieter.

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In later interactions on Twitter, Musk responded positively to the idea of adopting a volume slider for “Joe Mode.” This way, Tesla owners could adjust the the audio levels of their vehicles’ alerts and chimes depending on their preference. This simple fix, as suggested by the Tesla community, has essentially made “Joe Mode” into the much-requested “Baby Mode.”

“Joe Mode” was released in September 2019 with Tesla’s Version 10 update. Named after a friend of Musk’s who was named Joe, the feature was considered a lifesaver for parents who go on long trips with family. As per reports from the community, Autopilot’s chimes and alerts on the road are indeed loud enough to catch the driver’s attention, but they are also loud enough to wake kids that are sleeping in the rear seats.

As a parent who probably understood the issue at hand, Musk added “Joe Mode” to alleviate some of the stress from parents whose sleeping children have been awakened unceremoniously by their vehicles’ alerts. That being said, reports from electric car owners noted that even “Joe Mode’s” adjusted alert volumes were still too loud.

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Tesla’s new Model Y owners may very well benefit the most from the upcoming “Joe Mode” update. The crossover is arguably Tesla’s quietest vehicle to date, according to a number of owners. The electric automaker used several different strategies to deaden noise within the cabin, which is an issue Tesla has dealt with in vehicles such as the Model 3, or at least the sedan’s early production.

The Tesla Model Y is positioned as Tesla’s most affordable family hauler to date. Fitted with 66 cu ft of cargo space, the Model Y is the perfect all-electric vehicle for families who love taking road trips. Coupled with its quiet cabin, the addition of Tesla’s “Joe Mode” improvements can make the vehicle even more compelling for car buyers.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla exec shares unique Supercharger team rule that accelerates EV adoption

It is a rule that allows Tesla to become an industry leader in EV charging services.

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Credit: Tesla Charging/X

Tesla Director of Charging for North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific Max de Zegher recently shared some insights on a rather interesting rule that is being followed by the Supercharger team. It is a rule that, in a lot of ways, allows Tesla to further accelerate EV adoption.

No Exclusivity

In a recent post on its official social media account on X, the Tesla Charging team noted that it does not have exclusivity clauses for EV charging with property owners. As per the team, they discourage property owners to opt for exclusivity clauses since EV charging should not be restricted. “Hosting more charging infrastructure improves range confidence, keeps charging prices low, and accelerates EV adoption,” the Tesla Charging team wrote in its post.

While the Supercharger Network could have been a strong moat for Tesla in the electric vehicle sector, the charging network has been opened to other automakers’ EVs over the past years. In North America, Tesla’s home-grown NACS has become a standard, being adopted by veterans like Ford and General Motors and newer companies like Lucid Motors and Rivian.

Charging Director’s Comments

In a follow-up comment, de Zegher stated that the Tesla Charging team makes it a point to explain to landlords why EV charging should not have exclusivity clauses. As per the executive, there is no shortage of areas that could host EV charging spaces, so it only makes sense to support their expansion.

“When landlords offer us exclusivity, we actively reject it and explain our reasoning. We encourage them to install as much charging infrastructure as possible. We stand by our goal of ensuring as much dependable and affordable charging infrastructure as possible, whether from Tesla or other providers. There is no shortage of parking spaces, especially with increasing autonomy on the horizon. Legal moats only slow down EV infrastructure growth,” de Zegher wrote in a post on X.

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Tesla Supercharger Stats

As per Tesla in its Q1 2025 Update Letter, the company operates 7,131 Supercharger stations with 67,316 Supercharger stalls worldwide as of the end of the first quarter. This effectively makes the Supercharger Network into one of the most reliable and cost-effective charging solutions in the market.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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T-Mobile’s Starlink cellular doubles as free 5G trial for rival users

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(Credit: T-Mobile)

T-Mobile’s Starlink cellular is set to deliver satellite connectivity to users on rival carriers. The Starlink cellular beta program could double as a free trial for T-Mobile’s 5G network, blending space-based innovation with a strategic push to attract new customers. T-Mobile’s Starlink cellular service will launch soon, aiming to showcase both Starlink’s capabilities and T-Mobile’s terrestrial network.

“The wait is almost over,” T-Mobile announced in a Wednesday email to those who signed up for free beta access to the cellular Starlink service. “Our phone partners have been hustling to get more phones satellite-optimized, and in just a couple weeks, you’ll be invited to the beta.”

The Starlink cellular program includes “50GB of high-speed data and unlimited texts,” offering a robust test of T-Mobile’s 5G network alongside Starlink’s satellite connectivity. This package mirrors T-Mobile’s existing three-month free trial, which provides 50GB of premium mobile data via eSIM, allowing users to try T-Mobile without switching from their current provider.

Starlink cellular’s availability to rival carrier users via eSIM is a key draw, enabling seamless access to T-Mobile’s network and Starlink’s satellite service. T-Mobile sweetens the deal with perks like “$5 movie tickets, 25% off concert tickets, travel discounts, and T-Mobile Tuesdays for free stuff and great perks every week.” These incentives underscore T-Mobile’s strategy to convert beta testers into full-time customers.

Last week, T-Mobile reduced Starlink cellular’s price to $10 per month for both its customers and those on rival carriers, enhancing affordability. The company’s exclusive U.S. partnership with SpaceX gives it a head start in satellite connectivity. Meanwhile, competitors AT&T and Verizon, collaborating with AST SpaceMobile, may lag by a year or two due to fewer satellites.

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By offering rival carrier users a free trial of its 5G network through the Starlink cellular beta program, T-Mobile positions itself as a leader in terrestrial and satellite connectivity. The initiative highlights the potential of SpaceX’s Starlink and leverages T-Mobile’s network strengths to capture a broader market, setting the stage for a new era of hybrid connectivity.

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