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Tesla rolls out 2020 Holiday Update: New Driving Visualizations, Supercharger Display Improvements and more (Release Notes)

(Credit: @teslacn/Twitter)

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Tesla is beginning to roll out its highly anticipated over-the-air 2020 ‘Holiday Update’ that includes new driving visualizations for Full Self-Driving, new games, and an improved display for Supercharger and Vehicle Information, among others.

The following are some of the most notable aspects of Tesla’s 2020 holiday update as part of Firmware 2020.48.25.

Arguably, the Tesla community fan-favorite comes in the form of a new “Boombox” feature that enables the much-talked-about Snake Jazz and Goat easter eggs

Vehicle Information

Tesla has removed the Tesla “T” from the top menu, which provides better use of the touchscreen display’s real estate. Display improvements can be seen throughout much of the 2020 Tesla Holiday Update.

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“The Tesla ‘T’ has been removed from the top status bar. Tap Controls > Software for the same information.”

Release Notes Improvements

Release notes can be accessed under the controls menu. Each feature has been itemized into a tabular left menu that provides quick access to the description for previous and current features.

“Release notes now include improved browsing and access. To view current and previous release notes, tap controls > Software > Release Notes.”

2020 Tesla Holiday Update - Release Notes (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)

2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Release Notes (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)

Driving Visualization Improvements

Improved driving visualizations to support Full Self-Driving capabilities take center stage in this year’s highly-anticipated Tesla Holiday Software Update. 

“The driving visualization has been refreshed and now offers a larger visualization to allow drivers to view more details of the road surroundings. The next turn will now appear above the visualization if the navigation turn list is covered by another app.

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Additionally, select items have slightly moved but will continue to look and behave the same. Some notable differences include the following:

  • Quick access to the backup camera and wipers has moved to the bottom bar.
  • Indicator lights have been moved to the side of the touchscreen.
  • Autopilot set speed, Autopilot availability, and detected speed limit are now displayed next to the driving speed.”
2020 Tesla Holiday Update - Driving Visualizations (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)

2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Driving Visualizations (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)

Scheduled Departure Improvements

A refreshed look for the “Scheduled Departure” feature, previously known as “Smart Preconditioning” and released in October 2019, puts more emphasis on a simple design for easier control of charging costs and interior comfort when ready to drive. Tesla notes that Scheduled Departure can operate even when the vehicle is unplugged.

The previous language of not being functional below a 20% battery state of charge is no longer visible.

“Schedule departure can now precondition your battery and cabin even when your car is unplugged. To account for different utility rate plans, you can now set the time when your off-peak rates end to save on charging costs. To access, tap SCHEDULE from the climate control or charging panel when parked.”

2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Scheduled Departure (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)


Supercharger Display Improvements

Real-time Supercharger occupancy information was rolled out nearly 4 years ago (see version 1.0), and since then Tesla has continued to make user experience improvements for drivers looking to quickly access information from their touchscreen for distraction-free driving. This includes the ability to see available charging stalls at-a-glance and without the need for unnecessary taps of the touchscreen. 

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“Supercharger pins on your touchscreen will now display the number of available stalls at charging sites. Quickly search for nearby amenities by tapping an amenity icon on the Supercharger popup display.”

Tesla has replaced the iconic Tesla Supercharger lightning bolt icon with a number that denotes the number of currently available chargers at the location. 

Emissions Testing Mode Improvements

How can one improve upon Tesla’s famed “Emissions Testing Mode”, better known as “Fart Mode”? Fart at strangers.

“Emissions Testing Mode can be used outside the car. To setup, select your desired sound and place the cushion on the external speaker. When ready, play selected sound by pressing the left scroll wheel button or using the turn signal. To access, tap the Application Launcher > Toybox > Emissions Testing Mode.”

2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Emissions Testing Mode (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)

Boombox

Elon Musk has made good on his promise to give Tesla owners the ability to entertain crowds and passersby through honking-fart and goat sounds, plus more.

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In addition to several new out-of-the-box sound clips that blast out of Tesla’s exterior speaker, the latest Boombox feature enables the upload of five custom sounds.

“Turn your car into a boombox and entertain a crowd with your media player when parked. You can also customize the sound your car makes when you press the horn, drive the car or when your car is moving with Summon. Select an option from the dropdown menu or insert your own USB device and save up to five custom sounds.”

2020 Tesla Holiday Update - Boombox (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)

2020 Tesla Holiday Update – Boombox (Credit: Reddit/JCannonTech)

Tesla Arcade: New Games

Tesla launched a series of new games for its Tesla Arcade collection, including The Battle of Polytopia, Cat Quest, Solitaire, and Boombox.

  • The Battle of Polytopia
  • Cat Quest
  • Solitaire

Last month, Elon Musk teased the community when he tweeted about this year’s holiday software update. Musk hinted that 2020’s holiday update would be “lit.” He also mentioned that the highly-anticipated update would include features that customers wanted, and some that they didn’t even know they wanted.

Last year, Elon Musk and the Tesla team outdid themselves with the holiday software update. Tesla’s 2019 holiday update included a sneak preview of the company’s Full Self Driving suite, TRAX v0.1, and introduced new games to the arcade, such as Stardew Valley and Lost Backgammon.

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Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

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Tesla opens Supercharging Network to other EVs in new country

Tesla’s Supercharging infrastructure is the most robust in the world, and it has done a wonderful job of keeping things up and running for the millions of owners out there. As it expanded access to non-Tesla EVs a couple years back, it has still managed to keep things pretty steady, although the need for more charging is apparent.

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Kia EV6, EV9 and Niro Owners Gain Access to Over 21,500 Tesla Superchargers

Tesla has started opening its Supercharging Network, which is the most expansive in the world, to other EVs in a new country for the first time.

After expanding its Supercharging offerings to other car companies in the United States a few years ago, Tesla is still making the move in other markets, as it aims to make EV ownership easier for everyone, regardless of what manufacturer a consumer chose to purchase from.

Tesla’s Supercharging infrastructure is the most robust in the world, and it has done a wonderful job of keeping things up and running for the millions of owners out there. As it expanded access to non-Tesla EVs a couple years back, it has still managed to keep things pretty steady, although the need for more charging is apparent.

Now, Tesla is expanding access to the Supercharger Network to non-Tesla EVs in Malaysia. The automaker just opened up a charging stie at the Pavilion KL Mall in Kuala Lumpur to non-Tesla owners, giving them eight additional Superchargers to utilize with a charging speed of up to 250 kW.

Tesla is also opening up the four-Supercharger site in Shah Alam, a four-Supercharger site at the IOI City Mall, and a six-Supercharger site in Gamuda Cove Township.

Electrive first reported the opening of these Superchargers in Malaysia.

The initiative from Tesla helps make EV ownership much simpler for those who only have access to third-party charging solutions or at-home charging. While at-home charging is the most advantageous, it is not an end-all solution as every driver will eventually need to grab some range on the road.

Tesla has been offering its Superchargers to non-Tesla EVs in the United States since 2024, as Ford became the first company to gain access to the massive network early that year when CEO Elon Musk and Ford frontman Jim Farley announced it together. Since then, Tesla has offered its chargers to nearly every EV maker, as companies like Rivian and Lucid, and even legacy car companies like General Motors have gained access.

It’s best for everyone to have the ability to use Tesla Superchargers, but there are of course some growing pains.

Charging cables are built to cater to Tesla owners, so pull-in Superchargers are most advantageous for non-Tesla EVs currently, but the company’s V4 Superchargers, which are not as plentiful in the U.S. quite yet, do enable easier reach for those vehicles.

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Tesla Semi expands pilot program to Texas logistics firm: here’s what they said

Mone said the Tesla Semi it put into its fleet for this test recorded 1.64 kWh per mile efficiency, beating Tesla’s official 1.7 kWh per mile target and delivering a massive leap over conventional diesel trucks.

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Credit: Mone Transport

Tesla has expanded its Semi pilot program to a new region, as it has made it to Texas to be tested by logistics from Mone Transport. With the Semi entering production this year, Tesla is getting even more valuable data regarding the vehicle and its efficiency, which will help companies cut expenditures.

Mone Transport operates in Texas and on the Southern border, and it specializes in cross-border U.S.-Mexico freight operations. After completing some rigorous testing, Mone shared public results, which stand out when compared to efficiency metrics offered by diesel vehicles.

“Mone Transport recently had the opportunity to put the Tesla Semi to the test, and we’re thrilled with the results! Over 4,700 miles of operations at 1.64 kWh/mile in our Texas operation. We’re committed to providing zero-emission transportation to our customers!” the company said in a post on X.

Mone said the Tesla Semi it put into its fleet for this test recorded 1.64 kWh per mile efficiency, beating Tesla’s official 1.7 kWh per mile target and delivering a massive leap over conventional diesel trucks.

Comparable Class 8 diesel semis, typically achieving 6-7 miles per gallon, consume roughly 5.5 kWh per mile in energy-equivalent terms, meaning the Semi uses three to four times less energy while also producing zero tailpipe emissions.

Tesla Semi undergoes major redesign as dedicated factory preps for deliveries

The performance of the Tesla Semi in Mone Transport’s testing aligns with data from other participants in the pilot program. ArcBest’s ABF Freight Division logged 4,494 miles over three weeks in 2025, averaging 1.55 kWh per mile across varied routes, including a grueling 7,200-foot Donner Pass climb. The truck “generally matched the performance of its diesel counterparts,” the carrier said.

PepsiCo, which operates the largest known Semi fleet, recorded 1.7 kWh per mile in North American Council for Freight Efficiency testing. Additional pilots showed similar gains: DHL hit 1.72 kWh per mile, and Saia achieved 1.73 kWh per mile.

These metrics underscore the Semi’s ability to slash operating costs through superior efficiency, lower maintenance, and zero-emission operation. As charging infrastructure scales and production ramps toward 2026 targets, participants like Mone Transport are proving electric semis can seamlessly integrate into freight networks, accelerating the industry’s shift to sustainable, high-performance trucking.

Tesla continues to prep for a more widespread presence of the Semi in the coming months as it recently launched the first public Semi Megacharger site in Los Angeles. It is working on building out infrastructure for regional runs on the West Coast initially, with plans to expand this to the other end of the country in the coming years.

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Elon Musk

SpaceX weighs Nasdaq listing as company explores early index entry: report

The company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index.

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Credit: SpaceX/X

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly leaning toward listing its shares on the Nasdaq for a potential initial public offering (IPO) that could become the largest in history. 

As per a recent report, the company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index. The update was reported by Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter.

According to the publication, SpaceX is considering Nasdaq as the venue for its eventual IPO, though the New York Stock Exchange is also competing for the listing. Neither exchange has reportedly been informed of a final decision.

Reuters has previously reported that SpaceX could pursue an IPO as early as June, though the company’s plans could still change.

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One of the publication’s sources also suggested that SpaceX is targeting a valuation of about $1.75 trillion for its IPO. At that level, the company would rank among the largest publicly traded firms in the United States by market capitalization.

Nasdaq has proposed a rule change that could accelerate the inclusion of newly listed megacap companies into the Nasdaq-100 index.

Under the proposed “Fast Entry” rule, a newly listed company could qualify for the index in less than a month if its market capitalization ranks among the top 40 companies already included in the Nasdaq-100.

If SpaceX is successful in achieving its target valuation of $1.75 trillion, it would become the sixth-largest company by market value in the United States, at least based on recent share prices. 

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Newly listed companies typically have to wait up to a year before becoming eligible for major indexes such as the Nasdaq-100 or S&P 500.

Inclusion in a major index can significantly broaden a company’s shareholder base because many institutional investors purchase shares through index-tracking funds.

According to Reuters, Nasdaq’s proposed fast-track rule is partly intended to attract highly valued private companies such as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic to list on the exchange.

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