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The Cybertruck is now the cheapest Tesla that customers could order today

(Credit: Larry Dolanch/Instagram)

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Tesla tends to roll out price increases and decreases to its vehicle lineup on a rather frequent basis. Just recently, Tesla rolled out new price adjustments to the Model 3 and Model Y, which resulted in the Model 3 Standard Range Plus — the most affordable vehicle in the company’s currently available lineup — now starting at about $42,000 before incentives. This recent round of price increases also had another effect: it made the base Cybertruck the cheapest Tesla that could be ordered today. 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk incited some strong reactions during the Cybertruck’s unveiling when he revealed that the massive all-electric pickup truck’s base variant, which uses one electric motor and an RWD configuration, would start at $39,990 before incentives. This was quite shocking considering the Cybertruck’s size, as well as Musk’s previous statement during an appearance at the Ride the Lightning podcast which pointed to the all-electric truck starting “well under $50,000.” 

Credit: Tesla

Needless to say, very few could have predicted then that Elon Musk’s “well below $50,000” teaser meant that the Cybertruck would start at $39,990. At that price, the hulking steel pickup truck found itself at the same range as the base Model Y, which was announced with a starting price of $39,000. The Model Y Standard Range was briefly made available in the United States for $41,990 before it was discontinued, but it has since been released in China at a price of about $42,800. 

Interestingly enough, Tesla’s price adjustments have now reached a point where even the Model 3 Standard Range Plus, which has long been the company’s most affordable vehicle, is now more expensive than the Single-Motor Cybertruck. This meant that those who wish to make a reservation for Tesla’s current vehicle offerings would find the base Cybertruck as their most affordable option, for now at least. 

And considering that Tesla has not updated the Cybertruck’s order page, it appears that the company does not see a need to adjust its all-electric pickup truck’s starting price just yet. That being said, Tesla’s terms and conditions in the Cybertruck’s Motor Vehicle Pre-Agreement do state that the final cost of the all-electric pickup truck may be subject to changes when the vehicle enters production. Placing orders for the Cybertruck would then lock in the cost of FSD, but not necessarily the $39,990 price for the pickup’s base variant. 

Tesla would likely start the Cybertruck’s production with the vehicle’s more expensive trims, such as the Tri-Motor AWD and Dual-Motor AWD variants, which are priced at $69,990 and $49,990, respectively. The company is also evidently counting on some of its innovations to keep the Cybertruck’s cost as low as possible, such as the upcoming 4680 cells and structural battery packs. If Tesla’s 4680 cells remain delayed, however, or if the company is unable to master the Cybertruck’s megacasted parts, then it would not be a surprise if the pickup truck’s most affordable variants end up starting substantially above $39,990. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to tips@teslarati.com to give us a heads up. 

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 rolls out new Supercharging safety feature in the U.S.

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tesla's nacs charging connector
Credit: Tesla

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.

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LG Energy Solution pursuing battery deal for Tesla Optimus, other humanoid robots: report

Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.

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Credit: Tesla Optimus/X

A recent report has suggested that LG Energy Solution is in discussions to supply batteries for Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot.

Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.

Humanoid robot battery deals

LG Energy Solution shares jumped more than 11% on the 28th after a report from the Korea Economic Daily claimed that the company is pursuing battery supply and joint development agreements with several humanoid robot makers. These reportedly include Tesla, which is developing Optimus, as well as multiple Chinese robotics companies.

China is already home to several leading battery manufacturers, such as CATL and BYD, making the robot makers’ reported interest in LG Energy Solution quite interesting. Market participants interpreted the reported outreach as a signal that performance requirements for humanoid robots may favor battery chemistries developed by companies like LG.

LF Energy Solution vs rivals

According to the report, energy density is believed to be the primary reason humanoid robot developers are evaluating LG Energy Solution’s batteries. Unlike electric vehicles, humanoid robots have significantly less space available for battery packs while requiring substantial power to operate dozens of joint motors and onboard artificial intelligence processors.

LG Energy Solution’s ternary lithium batteries offer higher energy density compared with rivals’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are widely used by Chinese EV manufacturers. That advantage could prove critical for humanoid robots, where runtime, weight, and compact packaging are key design constraints.

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Tesla receives approval for FSD Supervised tests in Sweden

Tesla confirmed that it has been granted permission to test FSD Supervised vehicles across Sweden in a press release.

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Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla has received regulatory approval to begin tests of its Full Self-Driving Supervised system on public roads in Sweden, a notable step in the company’s efforts to secure FSD approval for the wider European market. 

FSD Supervised testing in Sweden

Tesla confirmed that it has been granted permission to test FSD Supervised vehicles across Sweden following cooperation with national authorities and local municipalities. The approval covers the Swedish Transport Administration’s entire road network, as well as urban and highways in the Municipality of Nacka.

Tesla shared some insights into its recent FSD approvals in a press release. “The approval shows that cooperation between authorities, municipalities and businesses enables technological leaps and Nacka Municipality is the first to become part of the transport system of the future. The fact that the driving of the future is also being tested on Swedish roads is an important step in the development towards autonomy in real everyday traffic,” the company noted. 

With approval secured for FSD tests, Tesla can now evaluate the system’s performance in diverse environments, including dense urban areas and high-speed roadways across Sweden, as noted in a report from Allt Om Elbil. Tesla highlighted that the continued development of advanced driver assistance systems is expected to pave the way for improved traffic safety, increased accessibility, and lower emissions, particularly in populated city centers.

Tesla FSD Supervised Europe rollout

FSD Supervised is already available to drivers in several global markets, including Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States. The system is capable of handling city and highway driving tasks such as steering, acceleration, braking, and lane changes, though it still requires drivers to supervise the vehicle’s operations.

Tesla has stated that FSD Supervised has accumulated extensive driving data from its existing markets. In Europe, however, deployment remains subject to regulatory approval, with Tesla currently awaiting clearance from relevant authorities.

The company reiterated that it expects to start rolling out FSD Supervised to European customers in early 2026, pending approvals. It would then be unsurprising if the company secures approvals for FSD tests in other European territories in the coming months. 

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