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Tesla adds Model S, X and Model 3 key bands to its online shop

(Photo: Tesla)

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Tesla recently updated its lineup of accessories for the Model S,3, and X, with the electric car maker releasing official bands for the vehicles’ key fobs. Each band, which is designed to fit the electric cars’ key fobs perfectly, is available on Tesla’s official website for a very reasonable $18 each.

Tesla describes its key bands as follows.

“Custom made and available for every model, the Tesla Key Band provides a sleek and convenient key solution to your current key fob. Comprised of a silicone band attached to a metal key ring and finished with a tastefully embossed logo, the key band is a perfect fit for any model.”

Here are pictures of a key band sample as provided by Tesla on the products’ official page.

A key band sample for the Tesla Model 3. (Photo: Tesla)

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Just like Tesla’s other accessories, the newly-released key bands are packaged in a tasteful, black and red box embossed with a Tesla logo. The key ring that comes with the band is also blacked out, giving the accessory a unified, premium look. Considering that Tesla’s accessories such as the Model 3 key fob have a tendency to be sold out quickly after they are offered, interested owners would best be advised to purchase their key bands as soon as they are able.

In a way, Tesla’s release of its new bands comes just at the right time, considering that all its vehicles currently use key fobs. Prior to last November, key fobs were only given to Model S and X owners. Model 3 owners, on the other hand, were offered two ways to access their electric car — through the Tesla mobile app or through a key card that came with the vehicle.

As the Model 3 started hitting higher production numbers, a number of Model 3 owners requested for a more traditional key fob, just like those used by the company for the Model S and X. The Model 3 key fob was initially teased by Consumer Reports in its Talking Cars YouTube segment, when the magazine’s Auto Director, Jake Fisher, shared a conversation he had with Elon Musk about upcoming improvements for the Model 3.

During that time, Fisher was speaking with Musk about the Model 3’s braking distance following the magazine’s test of the electric sedan. Fisher noted that he talked about the Model 3’s keycard to the CEO, who admitted that the keycard/mobile app combination needs improvement.

“He (Musk) admitted that yeah, this isn’t working too well, and we really should do something better. Again, I don’t know if they’re gonna do it or not, but he said we really need to provide a normal key to the customers of this car,” Fisher said.

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Tesla eventually released a key fob for the Model 3 on November 2018. At $150, the Model 3 key fobs were immediately sold out, despite Tesla noting that the accessory does not support passive entry, which is the ability to unlock the vehicle by merely walking up to it. With Tesla’s new bands, even Model 3 owners can carry their key fobs in what could very well be the most convenient way possible. 

Tesla’s bands could be accessed in the following pages for the Model S, Model X, and Model 3

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla rival Xpeng shows off new flying car concept for 2027 release

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Credit: Aridge

Tesla rival Xpeng’s flying car unit has been rebranded as Aridge, and it recently showed off its new flying car concept that has 500 kilometers (310 miles) of range and can travel at speeds of up to 360 kilometers per hour (224 MPH).

In Dubai earlier this week, Abridge showed off its new High-Speed Long-Range Full Tilt-Rotor Flying Car, which it aims to release in the Middle East as soon as 2027.

CEO and Vice President Du Chao said at the event on Monday that Aridge will pioneer new categories of flying cars under the brand, which was formerly called Aeroht. Aridge will focus on delivering cutting-edge, low-altitude products, aiming to make these types of aircraft more popular in the coming years.

At the event in Dubai, Aridge showcased its Land Aircraft Carrier, which completed the first overseas public demonstration of a manned flight for the modular flying car, CNEV Post reported.

Credit: Aridge

So far, it has already accumulated 7,000 cumulative orders for the vehicle. 600 of them are going to the United Arab Emirates’ Ali & Sons Group, Qatar’s Almana Group, Kuwait’s AlSayer, and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce UAE.

It was not the only thing Aridge showcased at the event, either. It also has a long-range hybrid flying car called the A868. This is the concept with the 500-kilometer (310-mile) range rating and the 360 kilometers per hour (224 MPH) top speed.

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Credit: Aridge

The A868 will target long-distance travel needs for consumers and will work alongside the Land Aircraft Carrier to build diversified low-altitude application scenarios that would be beneficial from a civilian and commercial standpoint.

The vehicles will be built at a new facility that was completed at the end of September, which is located in Guangzhou. It will be able to build 10,000 units with full-scale production and delivery scheduled to take off in 2026.

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Tesla ramps production of its ‘new’ models at Giga Texas

The vehicles are being built at Tesla Gigafactory Texas in Austin, and there are plenty of units being built at the factory, based on a recent flyover by drone operator and plant observer Joe Tegtmeyer.

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Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer | X

Tesla is ramping up production of its ‘new’ Model Y Standard at Gigafactory Texas just over a week after it first announced the vehicle on October 7.

Earlier this month, Tesla launched the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y “Standard,” their release of what it calls its affordable models. They are priced under $40,000, and although there was some noise surrounding the skepticism that they’re actually “affordable,” it appears things have been moving in the right direction.

The vehicles are being built at Tesla Gigafactory Texas in Austin, and there are plenty of units being built at the factory, based on a recent flyover by drone operator and plant observer Joe Tegtmeyer:

The new Standard Tesla models are technically the company’s response to losing the $7,500 EV tax credit, which significantly impacts any company manufacturing electric vehicles.

However, it seems the loss of the credit is impacting others much more than it is Tesla.

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As General Motors and Ford are scaling back their EV efforts because it is beginning to hurt their checkbooks, Tesla is moving forward with its roadmap to catalyze annual growth from a delivery perspective. While GM, Ford, and Stellantis are all known for their vehicles, Tesla is known for its prowess as a car company, an AI company, and a Robotics entity.

Elon Musk was right all along about Tesla’s rivals and EV subsidies

Tesla should have other vehicles coming in the next few years, especially as the Cybercab is evidently moving along with its preliminary processes, like crash testing and overall operational assessment.

It has been spotted at the Fremont Factory several times over the past couple of weeks, hinting that the vehicle could begin production sometime next year.

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Tesla set to be impacted greatly in one of its strongest markets

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tesla norway
Credit: Robert O. Akander-Lima/LinkedIn

Tesla could be greatly impacted in one of its strongest markets as the government is ready to eliminate a main subsidy for electric vehicles over the next two years.

In Norway, EV concentrations are among the strongest in the world, with over 98 percent of all new cars sold in September being electric powertrains. This has been a long-standing trend in the Nordic region, as countries like Iceland and Sweden are also highly inclined to buy EVs.

Tesla Model Y leads sales rush in Norway in August 2025

However, the Norwegian government is ready to abandon a subsidy program it has in place, as it has effectively achieved what it set out to do: turn consumers to sustainability.

This week, Norway’s Finance Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, said it is time to consider phasing out the benefits that are given to those consumers who choose to buy an EV.

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Stoltenberg said this week (via Reuters):

“We have had a goal that all new passenger cars should be electric by 2025, and … we can say that the goal has been achieved. Therefore, the time is ripe to phase out the benefits.”

EV subsidies in Norway include reduced value-added tax (VAT) on cheaper models, lower road and toll fees, and even free parking in some areas.

The government also launched programs that would reduce taxes for companies and fleets. Individuals are also exempt from the annual circulation tax and fuel-related taxes.

In 2026, changes will already be made. Norway will lower its EV tax exemption to any vehicle priced at over 300,000 crowns ($29,789.40), down from the current 500,000, which equates to about $49,500.

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Tesla Superchargers most liked by Norway EV drivers

This would eliminate each of the Tesla Model Y’s trim levels from tax exemption status. In 2027, the VAT exemptions will be completely removed. Not a single EV on the market will be able to help owners escape from tax-exempt status.

There is some pushback on the potential loss of subsidies and benefits, and some groups believe that the loss of the programs will regress the progress EVs have made.

Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV Association, said:

“I worry that sudden and major changes will make more people choose fossil-fuel cars again, and I think everyone agrees that we don’t want to go back there.”

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