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Jeep shows off the Magneto, its Wrangler EV prototype

Credit: Jeep

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Jeep recently showed off its new EV prototypes based on the Jeep Wrangler, and the prototypes are called the Magneto and Magneto 2.0.

According to Motor Trend, Jeep displayed its Wrangler EV prototypes at its safari launch event. The vehicles were named Magneto and Magneto 2.0 and built off existing gas-powered Jeep Wrangler architecture, employing much of the same bodywork, interior, and even 4×4 system. The brand plans a 2024 release date for the vehicle’s production version, but it will likely not be its first EV.

The two prototype vehicles showed off impressive and somewhat unique specifications. Starting with the Magneto, based on the two-door Jeep Wrangler, the vehicle featured a manual transmission and 2-speed transfer case, both taken off of the gas-powered variant of the Jeep Wrangler. The 4×4 system was then hooked up to a single motor in the engine bay, producing 285 horsepower and 273-pound-feet of torque. A 70kWh battery powered the motor.

The Magneto 2.0 offered a significant upgrade; using a similar two-door Jeep Wrangler body, Jeep upgraded the vehicle with an 800-volt architecture and a more powerful motor. The second iteration of the Jeep Wrangler Magneto produced 625 horsepower and 850-pound-feet of torque.

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Jeep is certainly staying true to its roots with the Magneto prototypes, but their dedication to Jeep’s heritage technology will likely pose challenges for them in the future. First, using the manual transmission and transfer case means that the vehicle is far heavier and must work the motor harder to overcome inefficiencies by going through the system. The traditional 4×4 system also means that the vehicle is far more complex and contains far more failure points than a direct drive alternative.

Jeep didn’t comment on the possible advantages of their system, and it is certainly true that they would not be the only manufacturer introducing traditional transmission technology to EVs. The Porsche Taycan has a two-speed gearbox, for example. However, Jeep’s approach remains unique.

The second issue Jeep will face has more to do with design language. Due to the Jeep’s lackluster aerodynamics, the vehicle will work far harder to punch through the air rather than cut through it (though the tag line “don’t cut through the air, punch it” does have a certain ring to it). On top of this, the vehicle’s large grippy tires mean yet another inefficiency is added to the system.

Doing some basic napkin math, with the 70kWh battery, if the vehicle must overcome so many inefficiencies, it would be surprising to see it achieve more than 2 miles per kW, giving the prototype a hypothetical range of only 140 miles. That said, the Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0 featured a higher voltage architecture that could allow incredibly fast charging and a production model would likely fit a larger battery system if it were designed off a new, independent platform instead.

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It has always been true that Jeep buyers are buying more than a vehicle; they are buying into an idea, a lifestyle, and even a not-so-secret wave to other Jeep drivers. However, with the introduction of EV technology, Jeep buyers may be compromising more than ever.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

Will is an auto enthusiast, a gear head, and an EV enthusiast above all. From racing, to industry data, to the most advanced EV tech on earth, he now covers it at Teslarati.

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Tesla preps to build its most massive Supercharger yet: 400+ V4 stalls

The project will be an expansion of the current Eddie World Supercharger in Yermo, California, and will take place in several stages.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla is preparing to build its most massive Supercharger yet, as it recently submitted plans for an over 400-stall Supercharging station in California, which would dwarf its massive 168-stall location in Lost Hills, California.

The project will be an expansion of the current Eddie World Supercharger in Yermo, California, and will take place in several stages.

The expansion, adjacent to the existing Eddie World Supercharger, which is currently comprised of 22 older V2 and V3 stalls limited to 150 kW, unfolds across six phases.

Construction on Phase 1 begins later this year with 72 V4 stalls. Subsequent stages will progressively add hundreds more, culminating in over 400 next-generation chargers. Site plans label expansive parking arrays across Phases 1–5 along Calico Boulevard, with Phase 6 design still to be determined.

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The project was first flagged by MarcoRP, a notable Tesla Supercharger watcher.

Strategically located midway on I-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the station targets heavy EV traffic on this high-demand corridor.

The surrounding 20-mile stretch already hosts over 200 high-power stalls (including 40 at 250 kW, 120 at 325 kW, and more), plus 96 in nearby Baker—yet bottlenecks persist during peak travel.

In scale, it eclipses all existing Tesla Superchargers. The current record holder, the solar- and Megapack-powered “Project Oasis” in Lost Hills, California, offers 164 stalls. Barstow’s former leader had 120. Eddie World 2 will be more than double that size, cementing Tesla’s dominance in ultra-high-capacity charging.

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Tesla finishes its biggest Supercharger ever with 168 stalls

Development blends charging with convenience. Architectural drawings show integrated retail: a 10,100 square foot Cracker Barrel, a 4,300 square foot McDonald’s, a 3,800 square foot convenience store, additional restaurants, drive-thrus, outdoor dining, and lease space.

EV-centric features include pull-through bays for Cybertrucks and trailers, ensuring accessibility for larger vehicles and future Semi trucks.

This phased approach minimizes disruption while scaling capacity. It supports Tesla’s broader vision amid rising EV adoption, Robotaxi corridors, and long-haul needs. Once complete, Eddie World 2 won’t just charge vehicles; it will redefine highway stops, turning a dusty desert exit into a futuristic EV oasis.
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Tesla makes latest move to remove Model S and Model X from its lineup

Tesla’s latest decisive step toward phasing out its flagship sedan and SUV was quietly removing the Model S and Model X from its U.S. referral program earlier this week.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has made its latest move that indicates the Model S and Model X are being removed from the company’s lineup, an action that was confirmed by the company earlier this quarter, that the two flagship vehicles would no longer be produced.

Tesla has ultimately started phasing out the Model S and Model X in several ways, as it recently indicated it had sold out of a paint color for the two vehicles.

Now, the company is making even more moves that show its plans for the two vehicles are being eliminated slowly but surely.

Tesla’s latest decisive step toward phasing out its flagship sedan and SUV was quietly removing the Model S and Model X from its U.S. referral program earlier this week.

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The change eliminates the $1,000 referral discount previously available to new buyers of these vehicles. Existing Tesla owners purchasing a new Model S or Model X will now only receive a halved loyalty discount of $500, down from $1,000.

The updates extend beyond the two flagship vehicles. New Cybertruck buyers using a referral code on Premium AWD or Cyberbeast configurations will no longer get $1,000 off. Instead, both referrer and buyer receive three months of Full Self-Driving (Supervised).

The loyalty discount for Cybertruck purchases, excluding the new Dual Motor AWD trim level, has also been cut to $500.

These adjustments apply only in the United States, and reflect Tesla’s broader strategy to optimize margins while boosting adoption of its autonomous driving software.

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The timing is no coincidence. Tesla confirmed earlier this year that Model S and Model X production will end in the second quarter of 2026, roughly June, as the company reallocates factory capacity toward its Optimus humanoid robot and next-generation vehicles.

With annual sales of the low-volume flagships already declining (just 53,900 units in 2025), incentives are no longer needed to drive demand. Production is winding down, and Tesla expects strong remaining interest without subsidies.

Industry observers see this as the clearest sign yet of an “end-of-life” phase for the vehicles that once defined Tesla’s luxury segment. Community reactions on X range from nostalgia, “Rest in power S and X”, to frustration among long-time owners who feel perks are eroding just as the models approach discontinuation.

Some buyers are rushing orders to lock in final discounts before they vanish entirely.

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Doug DeMuro names Tesla Model S the Most Important Car of the last 30 years

For Tesla, the move prioritizes efficiency: fewer discounts on outgoing models, a stronger push for FSD subscriptions, and a focus on high-margin Cybertruck trims amid surging orders.

Loyalists still have a narrow window to purchase a refreshed Plaid or Long Range model with remaining incentives, but the message is clear: Tesla’s lineup is evolving, and the era of the original flagships is drawing to a close. 

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Tesla Australia confirms six-seat Model Y L launch in 2026

Compared with the standard five-seat Model Y, the Model Y L features a longer body and extended wheelbase to accommodate an additional row of seating.

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Credit: Tesla China

Tesla has confirmed that the larger six-seat Model Y L will launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2026. 

The confirmation was shared by techAU through a media release from Tesla Australia and New Zealand.

The Model Y L expands the Model Y lineup by offering additional seating capacity for customers seeking a larger electric SUV. Compared with the standard five-seat Model Y, the Model Y L features a longer body and extended wheelbase to accommodate an additional row of seating.

The Model Y L is already being produced at Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai for the Chinese market, though the vehicle will be manufactured in right-hand-drive configuration for markets such as Australia and New Zealand.

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Tesla Australia and New Zealand confirmed the vehicle will feature seating for six passengers.

“As shown in pictures from its launch in China, Model Y L will have a new seating configuration providing room for 6 occupants,” Tesla Australia and New Zealand said in comments shared with techAU.

Instead of a traditional seven-seat arrangement, the Model Y L uses a 2-2-2 layout. The middle row features two individual seats, allowing easier access to the third row while providing additional space for passengers.

Tesla Australia and New Zealand also confirmed that the Model Y L will be covered by the company’s updated warranty structure beginning in 2026.

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“As with all new Tesla Vehicles from the start of 2026, the Model Y L will come with a 5-year unlimited km vehicle warranty and 8 years for the battery,” the company said.

The updated policy increases Tesla’s vehicle warranty from the previous four-year or 80,000-kilometer coverage.

Battery and drive unit warranties remain unchanged depending on the variant. Rear-wheel-drive models carry an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty, while Long Range and Performance variants are covered for eight years or 192,000 kilometers.

Tesla has not yet announced official pricing or range figures for the Model Y L in Australia.

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