

Lifestyle
These cities are driving electric vehicle growth worldwide
What cities are driving the electric vehicle revolution around the world? This question was just addressed by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). It turns out that their recent report includes: “cities with the highest electric vehicle uptake through 2016 and examines the associated local policies, incentives, and infrastructure that have helped spur electric vehicle sales growth.” So where are these exceptional cities? Let’s dive in to the ICCT’s report to find out.
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Above: Cars like the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S are becoming more common on today’s city streets (Image: U.S. Department of Energy)
The report notes that, “Electric vehicle sales are increasing across almost all markets, but are still disproportionately concentrated in a small number of major markets.” To that end, the report identifies 20 cities that are responsible for a whopping 40% of electric vehicles. The ICCT names these 20 their electric vehicle capital cities.
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Above: Cumulative EV sales expressed as percentages of global EV stock through 2016 (Source: ICCT)
So who does this report name as the EV capital of the world? There are a few answers to that question, but, “Los Angeles leads the world with more than 100,000 cumulative electric vehicle sales.” That said, China’s Shanghai and Beijing are not far behind LA. However, when looking at electric vehicle sales shares: “The Norwegian cities of Bergen and Oslo… [led with] 36% and 33% respectively.”
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Above: Cumulative EV sales and sales shares in ICCT’s EV “capital cities” in 2016 (Source: ICCT)
Another key factor for the success of electric vehicles in these cities is access to EV charging infrastructure. Although the majority of charging occurs at home or work, the report notes that public “charging infrastructure is a key enabler and driver of the electric vehicle market.” EV infrastructure improves access to more charge points and adds to the ease (and enjoyment) of road trips.
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Above: The BMW i3 and Tesla Model S park-and-charge (Image: Sierra Club)
So which city wins for EV charging infrastructure? Cities in: “Norway and the Netherlands have the highest concentration of public charge points… [but importantly] cities in China have a much higher share of DC fast charge points, at 16%–45% of all public charge points.” Of course, it’s important to note that Tesla owners enjoy additional benefit from the company’s proprietary Supercharger network.
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Above: Looking at EV charging points in electric vehicle capital cities (Source: ICCT)
In addition, the report notes that public policies that incentivize EV ownership are clearly “correlated with higher electric vehicle uptake.” Not surprisingly, these top 20 cities benefit from financial incentives often determined at the national level. The following table (see below) shows ICCT’s assigned value of total financial incentives for EVs in each capital city. So where does the financial incentive value for EV ownership spike the most? Norway’s Bergen and Oslo shine here — rising high above other cities worldwide.
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Above: A look at the total financial incentive value for electric cars, by EV capital city (Source: ICCT)
What conclusions can we draw from the ICCT’s report? “These cities are each in their own way helping to overcome electric vehicle barriers, propelling the market forward, and leading by example.” That said, what can we learn from these trailblazing cities? “The path ahead toward full electrification will surely require sustained efforts with policy, much greater electric vehicle infrastructure build-out, and broader awareness as lower-cost and longer-range electric vehicles enter the fleet.”
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Note: Article originally published on evannex.com, by Matt Pressman
Lifestyle
Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update
Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.
The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.
Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video
With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:
Turn your Tesla into a rave cave with the new Light Sync feature 🎶
Rolling out now in software update 2025.26+ pic.twitter.com/IIsQxZ9jDP
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 29, 2025
To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”
Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.
Elon Musk
xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site
Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area.
Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.
xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs
Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.
In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.
“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.
Musk Foundation donation
Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students.
The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”
“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.
The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”
Lifestyle
EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry
Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.
The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry.
A strategic fit
Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.
That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.
“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”
Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”
Enabling the next wave
Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.
“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.
The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.
Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.
In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”
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