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Tesla and EPA finally release Cybertruck documentation

Credit: Tesla

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Tesla Cybertruck documentation has finally been released by the EPA, and it shows some new details but nothing that is totally game-changing in terms of the pickup’s general operation or specs that were released during the unveiling event last week.

The EPA received an application from Tesla to begin the Cybertruck’s assessment on November 7, the documents seen by Teslarati show. The application notified the EPA that Tesla was seeking a Certificate of Conformity for two of the Cybertruck’s configurations.

Tesla did not apply for any certifications related to the Cybertruck’s entry-level configuration, which is the Rear-Wheel-Drive trim that will not be released until 2025.

Instead, this round of testing was reserved for the “Beast” and All-Wheel-Drive trims, which pack three and two motors, respectively. Tesla received Certificates of Conformity for both vehicles on November 21, nine days ahead of the delivery event at Gigafactory Texas.

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In terms of features that we may not have been aware of based on Tesla’s presentation last week, it appears the Cybertruck has been fitted with the heat pump system that the automaker started utilizing on other vehicles in its lineup.

We did see the heat pump on some vehicles that were pre-production units, but it is now confirmed that Tesla is using the system on Cybertrucks that customers will own.

The heat pump was a major breakthrough for Tesla several years ago as it engineered a solution to combat range degradation in colder temperatures.

Tesla describes the Cybertruck’s heat pump in the EPA documents:

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“Tesla Cybertruck’s heat pump reduces the energy required by the HVAC system in both heating and cooling scenarios. The energy required to heat the cabin varies by weather and occupant comfort needs, but on-average consumes approximately 10% of the total energy available for driving. However, even moderately cold weather (0°C), consumption can increase to 25% or more. A heat pump consumes a small amount of electrical energy to thermodynamically “upgrade” low-temperature (less useful) thermal energy to higher-temperature (more useful) thermal energy, making it suitable for occupant comfort. That is, for a given electrical power input, a heat pump will return 1 to 5x in useful heating power; an electrical cabin heater provides 1:1 in heating power, and therefore is far less efficient.”

It is not surprising that Tesla put the heat pump in the Cybertruck, especially considering Elon Musk said the pickup is the company’s best vehicle to date. What still remains a mystery is whether Tesla is using the HEPA grade air filter and BioWeapon Defense Mode in the pickup, which filters 99.98 percent of pollutants, making the cabin extremely safe and improving air quality.

Tesla has used the HEPA filter on other cars in its lineup, including the Model S and Model X.

The Cybertruck’s gross vehicle weight puts it in the Class 2b division. This still is technically a light-duty pickup, and it shares the classification with the Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Ford F-250, and RAM 2500.

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Tesla Cybertruck Beast Epa by Joey Klender on Scribd

The application from Tesla is available here:

Tesla Cybertruck Application by Joey Klender on Scribd

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I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla seeks approval to test FSD Supervised in new Swedish city

Tesla has applied to conduct local Full Self-Driving (Supervised) testing in the city of Jönköping, Sweden.

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Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla has applied to conduct local Full Self-Driving (Supervised) testing in the city of Jönköping, Sweden.

As per local outlet Jönköpings-Posten, Tesla has contacted the municipality with a request to begin FSD (Supervised) tests in the city. The company has already received approval to test its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software in several Swedish municipalities, as well as on the national road network.

Sofia Bennerstål, Tesla’s Head of Public Policy for Northern Europe, confirmed that an application has been submitted for FSD’s potential tests in Jönköping.

“I can confirm that we have submitted an application, but I cannot say much more about it,” Bennerstål told the news outlet. She also stated that Tesla is “satisfied with the tests” in the region so far.

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The planned tests in Jönköping would involve a limited number of Tesla-owned vehicles. Trained Tesla safety drivers would remain behind the wheel and be prepared to intervene if necessary.

Tesla previously began testing in Nacka municipality after receiving local approval. At the time, the company stated that cooperation between authorities, municipalities, and industry enables technological progress and helps integrate future transport systems into real-world traffic conditions, as noted in an Allt Om Elbil report.

If approved, Jönköping would become the latest Swedish municipality to allow local Full Self-Driving (Supervised) testing.

Tesla’s Swedish testing program is part of the company’s efforts to validate its supervised autonomous driving software in everyday traffic environments. Municipal approvals allow Tesla to gather data in urban settings that include roundabouts, complex intersections, and mixed traffic conditions.

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Sweden has become an increasingly active testing ground for Tesla’s driver-assistance software in Europe, with regulatory coordination between local authorities and national agencies enabling structured pilot programs.

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Microsoft partners with Starlink to expand rural internet access worldwide

The update was shared ahead of Mobile World Congress.

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Credit: Starlink/X

Microsoft has announced a new collaboration with Starlink as part of its expanding digital access strategy, following the company’s claim that it has extended internet connectivity coverage to more than 299 million people worldwide.

The update was shared ahead of Mobile World Congress, where Microsoft detailed how it surpassed its original goal of bringing internet access to 250 million people by the end of 2025.

In a blog post, Microsoft confirmed that it is now working with Starlink to expand connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach regions.

“Through our collaboration with Starlink, Microsoft is combining low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity with community-based deployment models and local ecosystem partnerships,” the company wrote.

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The partnership is designed to complement Microsoft’s existing work with local internet providers and infrastructure companies across Africa, Latin America, and India, among other areas. Microsoft noted that traditional infrastructure alone cannot meet demand in some regions, making low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity an important addition.

Kenya was cited as an early example. Working with Starlink and local provider Mawingu Networks, Microsoft is supporting connectivity for 450 community hubs in rural and underserved areas. These hubs include farmer cooperatives, aggregation centers, and digital access facilities intended to support agricultural productivity and AI-enabled services.

Microsoft stated that 2.2 billion people globally remain offline, and that connectivity gaps risk widening as AI adoption accelerates.

Starlink’s expanding constellation, now numbering more than 9,700 satellites in orbit, provides near-global coverage, making it one of the few systems capable of delivering broadband to remote regions without relying on terrestrial infrastructure. 

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Starlink is expected to grow even more in the coming years as well, especially as SpaceX transitions its fleet to Starship, which is capable of carrying significantly larger payloads compared to its current workhorse, the Falcon 9.

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Tesla expands US LFP battery supply with LG Energy Solution deal: report

The report was initially published by TheElec, citing industry sources.

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Credit: Tesla

LG Energy Solution (LGES) will manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) energy storage system (ESS) batteries for Tesla at its Lansing, Michigan facility. 

The report was initially published by TheElec, citing industry sources.

LG Energy Solution’s Lansing plant, formerly known as Ultium Cells 3, was previously operated as a joint venture with General Motors. LGES acquired GM’s stake in May 2025 and now fully owns the site. With a production capacity of 50 GWh per year, it is one of the company’s largest facilities in North America.

LG Energy Solution is converting part of the Lansing factory to produce LFP batteries for energy storage systems. Equipment orders for the new lines have already been placed, and mass production is reportedly expected to begin in the second half of next year.

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Last July, LG Energy Solution disclosed a 5.94 trillion won battery supply agreement running from August 2027 to July 2030. While the company did not name the customer, industry sources pointed to Tesla as the buyer.

Tesla has primarily used CATL’s prismatic batteries for its Megapack systems. The move to source prismatic LFP cells from LG Energy Solution’s U.S. plant could then be seen as part of Tesla’s efforts to bolster its North American supply base for its energy storage business.

For the Lansing conversion, LG Energy Solution reportedly plans to use electrode equipment originally ordered under its Ultium Cells venture with General Motors. Suppliers reportedly include CIS and Hirano Tecseed for electrode systems, TSI for mixing equipment, CK Solution for heat exhaust systems, A-Pro for formation equipment, and Shinjin Mtech for assembly kits.

Tesla currently manufactures energy storage products at facilities in California and Shanghai, though another Megafactory that produces the Megapack is also expected to be built in Texas. As per recent reports, the Texas Megafactory recently advanced with a major property sale.

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