Tesla Model 3
Tesla to benefit as California takes stand against GM, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler
The State of California has announced they will halt the purchase of gas-powered sedans, and will also stop buying vehicles from any manufacturers who have not agreed to abide by the state’s rules regarding vehicle emissions.
In an emailed statement to CalMatters.org, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that “The state is finally making the smart move away from internal combustion engine sedans. Carmakers that have chosen to be on the wrong side of history will be on the losing end of California’s buying power.”
California purchased 2,672 vehicles for its Government fleet in 2018 according to the state’s Department of General Services.
The decision to exclusively purchase electric sedans from manufacturers who have come on board with California’s clean car rules will affect Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, and more than anyone, General Motors’ Chevrolet brand, who California bought more than $27 million worth of vehicles from in 2018. California has chosen to put their money where their mouth is by siding with carmakers who have intentions to contribute to creating a sustainable future.
This is an opportunity for electric car makers such as Tesla to work with California to secure a future that would include only vehicles produced by companies whose goal is to work toward environmental-consciousness. California is already home to many electric vehicles as a report from The Los Angeles Times published in September showed electric vehicle sales spiked 63.7% in the first half of the year, largely due to the nearly 33,000 Model 3s being sold in the state within this time frame.
While we do not know what electric vehicles California will utilize for its fleet, we do understand that the electric car manufacturer based in Silicon Valley has been and will help the state work toward a sustainable future, starting with its vehicles. If California decides to ultimately halt the purchase of petrol-powered trucks, sport utility vehicles, and semi-trucks as well, Tesla could provide its home state with some of its upcoming releases, like the Model Y, the soon-to-be-unveiled Cybertruck, and its Semi, a tractor-trailer that has already been purchased by Pepsi Co. for its Frito Lay plant in Modesto, CA.
The environmental impact of its vehicle fleet is extremely important to the state of California, and they are currently fighting with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for rights to control its own rules regarding greenhouse gases.
California sued the EPA on November 15 and the NHTSA in September after the two agencies revoked the state’s rights to come up with and follow its own guidelines in terms of vehicle emissions. Supervising Attorney for UCLA’s Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic Julia Stein said “It certainly sends a strong message to the automakers that have come out on the other side of California in this litigation. It’s taking steps to encourage automakers to be on what it views as the right side of that dispute.”
California is making significant strides to create consequences for manufacturers who are choosing not to improve their vehicles by trying to reduce carbon emissions. The companies California have decided to cut ties with are all looking to side with the Trump Administration, which has made an attempt to eliminate the standards set by the Obama White House that were intended to cut the number of greenhouse gases emitted into the Earth’s atmosphere. Certainly, Tesla’s environmental goals match up with California’s intentions to become a more sustainable state. The electric car maker can contribute to a sustainable future if the state decides to invest in the company.
Tesla has rolled out a new Supercharging safety feature in the United States, one that will answer concerns that some owners may have if they need to leave in a pinch.
It is also a suitable alternative for non-Tesla chargers, like third-party options that feature J1772 or CCS to NACS adapters.
The feature has been available in Europe for some time, but it is now rolling out to Model 3 and Model Y owners in the U.S.
With Software Update 2026.2.3, Tesla is launching the Unlatching Charge Cable function, which will now utilize the left rear door handle to release the charging cable from the port. The release notes state:
“Charging can now be stopped and the charge cable released by pulling and holding the rear left door handle for three seconds, provided the vehicle is unlocked, and a recognized key is nearby. This is especially useful when the charge cable doesn’t have an unlatch button. You can still release the cable using the vehicle touchscreen or the Tesla app.”
The feature was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.
This is an especially nice feature for those who commonly charge at third-party locations that utilize plugs that are not NACS, which is the Tesla standard.
For example, after plugging into a J1772 charger, you will still be required to unlock the port through the touchscreen, which is a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.
Additionally, it could be viewed as a safety feature, especially if you’re in need of unlocking the charger from your car in a pinch. Simply holding open the handle on the rear driver’s door will now unhatch the port from the car, allowing you to pull it out and place it back in its housing.
This feature is currently only available on the Model 3 and Model Y, so Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck owners will have to wait for a different solution to this particular feature.
Tesla has revealed an awesome Model 3 and Model Y incentive to help consumers make the jump to one of its affordable mass-market vehicles, but it’s ending soon.
Tesla is offering one free upgrade on eligible inventory of the Model 3 and Model Y until February 2.
This would help buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost, meaning white interior or a more premium paint option will be free of charge if you take delivery on or before February 2.
Tesla states on its website for the offer:
“Only for limited inventory while supplies last. Price displayed on inventory listings already deducts the cost of the free option.”
Tesla says its one free upgrade offer on eligible U.S. inventory for the Model 3 and Model Y ends February 2.
With this incentive, buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost (up to $2k in savings). pic.twitter.com/IhoiURrsDI
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 21, 2026
This latest incentive is just another advantage Tesla has by selling its vehicles directly and not using some sort of dealership model that relies on approvals from higher-ups. It is important to note that these programs are offered to help stimulate demand and push vehicles into customers’ hands.
It is not the only incentive Tesla is currently offering, either. In fact, there is a much larger incentive program that Tesla is working on, and it has to do with Full Self-Driving transfers, which could result in even more sales for the company through Q1.
Tesla is ending its FSD Transfer program on March 31, as it plans to transition to a Subscription-only basis with the self-driving suite for anyone who has not already purchased it outright.
This could help drive some on-the-fence buyers to new vehicles, but it remains to be seen. Given the timing of the program’s demise, it appears Tesla is hoping to use it to add additional sales and bolster a strong Q1 2026.
Interior and exterior paint colors can add up to $2,000 if you choose the most premium Ultra Red body color, or an additional $1,000 for the Black and White interior option. The discount, while small, could help get someone their preferred design configuration, instead of settling for something that is not quite what they want.
Tesla is dominating in the United Kingdom so far through 2025, and with about two weeks left in the year, the Model Y and Model 3 are leading the way.
The Model Y and Model 3 are the two best-selling electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, which is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and it’s not particularly close.
According to data gathered by EU-EVs, the Model Y is sitting at 18,890 units for the year, while the Model 3 is slightly behind with 16,361 sales for the year so far.
The next best-selling EV is the Audi Q4 e-tron at 10,287 units, lagging significantly behind but ahead of other models like the BMW i4 and the Audi Q6 e-tron.
GOOD NEWS 🇬🇧 Tesla is absolutely crushing the UK electric vehicle market in 2025 💥
The numbers are in, and the dominance is clear. With an impressive amount of 42,270 vehicles delivered year-to-date, the brand now commands a solid 9.6% market share of the total auto market 🆒… pic.twitter.com/dkiGX9kzd0
— Ming (@tslaming) December 18, 2025
The Model Y has tasted significant success in the global market, but it has dominated in large markets like Europe and the United States.
For years, it’s been a car that has fit the bill of exactly what consumers need: a perfect combination of luxury, space, and sustainability.
Both vehicles are going to see decreases in sales compared to 2024; the Model Y was the best-selling car last year, but it sold 32,610 units in the UK. Meanwhile, the Model 3 had reached 17,272 units, which will keep it right on par with last year.
Tesla sold 50,090 units in the market last year, and it’s about 8,000 units shy of last year’s pace. It also had a stronger market share last year with 13.2 percent of the sales in the market. With two weeks left in 2025, Tesla has a 9.6 percent market share, leading Volkswagen with 8 percent.
The company likely felt some impact from CEO Elon Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration and, more specifically, his role with DOGE. However, it is worth mentioning that some months saw stronger consumer demand than others. For example, sales were up over 20 percent in February. A 14 percent increase followed this in June.
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