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Tesla’s simple Model 3 drivetrain design is key to its mass market future
One can argue that the simplicity in design of the Tesla Model 3 drivetrain and subframe assembly is a key to Tesla’s future. Used in both the Model 3 and the Tesla Semi, while also serving as a platform for Tesla’s upcoming Model Y, the powerful and efficient drivetrains are designed with versatility in mind, as recently highlighted by auto enthusiast Ingineerix on YouTube.
In the short video clip, a Tesla drive unit retrieved from a totaled Model 3 aims to highlight the straightforward design of the all-electric drivetrain that lends itself to ease of manufacturing. Aside from a housing for the inverter and permanent magnet switch reluctance motor, only a handful of electrical connectors could be seen, including a high-voltage connector that leads to Model 3’s battery pack, and a data connector. The entire subframe is attached to the Model 3’s chassis by four bolts, which, when removed, allows the whole assembly to be detached cleanly from the vehicle.
The Long Range RWD Model 3’s drive unit is rated at 211 kW, powerful enough to propel the electric car from a dead stop to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The simplicity of the drivetrain’s design is further exemplified by the company’s usage of four Model 3 electric motors in Tesla’s tire-shredding electric Semi truck.
When Elon Musk unveiled the Model 3, he made it a point to emphasize that the vehicle is designed to be as simple as possible. Everything, from its chassis to its electric motor, was built with efficiency and simplicity in mind.
In an era of DIYers and their knack for resurrected Frankenstein projects, Tesla Model 3’s drive unit could very well prove to be popular with hobbyists and aftermarket companies looking to capitalize on electric vehicle conversions. This will especially hold true as electric vehicles start to command a significant market share and manufacturing of electric drivetrains, along with access to salvaged vehicles, become more prevalent.
The Model 3 is one of the final phases of Elon Musk’s first Master Plan, which he penned back in 2006. During that time, Musk envisioned the Model 3 to be a vehicle that brings EVs mainstream. Almost twelve years down the road, with Tesla seemingly hitting its pace to the deliver the Model 3 en masse to reservation holders, it appears that the electric car is doing just that.
Tesla’s drive units are quite durable, with a Tesla Model S recently passing the 400,000-mile mark on the road. Thus, it seems safe to assume that the Model 3’s drive unit would be just as durable, if not even better built, than Tesla’s first-generation electric motor. Tesla is aiming to produce around 500,000 Model 3 in a year. That’s half a million electric cars with drivetrains that could easily be detached and used for optimal EV conversions, even after the Model 3 is retired. With the Model 3, Tesla might have really created a car that can usher in a new era of automobiles.
Watch a quick walkthrough of a detached Model 3 drive unit in the video below.
News
Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD estimated delivery slips to early fall 2026
Tesla has also added a note on the Cybertruck design page stating that the vehicle’s price will increase after February 28.
Tesla’s estimated delivery window for new Cybertruck Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) orders in the United States has shifted to September–October 2026. This suggests that the vehicle’s sub-$60,000 variant is now effectively sold out until then.
The updated timeline was highlighted in a post on X by Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt, who noted that the estimated delivery window had moved from June 2026 to September-October 2026, “presumably due to strong demand.”
The Dual Motor AWD currently starts at $59,990 before incentives. Tesla has also added a note on the Cybertruck design page stating that the vehicle’s price will increase after February 28.
If demand remains steady, the combination of a later delivery window and a pending price increase suggests Tesla is seeing sustained interest in the newly-introduced Cybertruck configuration. This was highlighted by Elon Musk on X, when he noted that the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD’s introductory price will only be available for a limited time.
When the Cybertruck was first unveiled in November 2019, Tesla listed the Dual Motor AWD variant at $49,990. Adjusted for inflation, that figure equates to roughly $63,000 in 2026 dollars, based on cumulative U.S. inflation since 2019.
That context makes a potential post-February price in the $64,000 to $65,000 range less surprising, especially as material, labor, and manufacturing costs have shifted significantly over the past several years.
While Tesla has not announced a specific new MSRP, the updated delivery timeline and pricing note together suggest that the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD could very well be the variant that takes the all-electric full-sized pickup truck to more widespread adoption.
Elon Musk
SpaceX targets 150Mbps per user for upgraded Starlink Direct-to-Cell
If achieved, the 150Mbps goal would represent a significant jump from the current performance of Starlink Direct-to-Cell.
SpaceX is targeting peak download speeds of 150Mbps per user for its next-generation Direct-to-Cell Starlink service. The update was shared by SpaceX Spectrum & Regulatory Affairs Lead Udrivolf Pica during the International Telecommunication Union’s Space Connect conference.
“We are aiming at peak speeds of 150Mbps per user,” Pica said during the conference. “So something incredible if you think about the link budgets from space to the mobile phone.”
If achieved, the 150Mbps goal would represent a significant jump from the current performance of Starlink Direct-to-Cell.
Today, SpaceX’s cellular Starlink service, offered in partnership with T-Mobile under the T-Satellite brand, provides speeds of roughly 4Mbps per user. The service is designed primarily for texts, low-resolution video calls, and select apps in locations that traditionally have no cellular service.
By comparison, Ookla data shows median 5G download speeds of approximately 309Mbps for T-Mobile and 172Mbps for AT&T in the United States, as noted in a PCMag report. While 150Mbps would still trail the fastest terrestrial 5G networks, it would place satellite-to-phone broadband much closer to conventional carrier performance, even in remote areas.
Pica indicated that the upgraded system would support “video, voice, and data services, clearly,” moving beyond emergency connectivity and basic messaging use cases.
To reach that target, SpaceX plans to upgrade its existing Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites and add significant new capacity. The company recently acquired access to radio spectrum from EchoStar, which Pica described as key to expanding throughput.
“More spectrum means a bigger pipeline, and this means that we can expand what we can do with partners. We can expand the quality of service. And again, we can do cellular broadband basically, cellular broadband use cases, like AI or daily connectivity needs,” he stated.
SpaceX has also requested regulatory approval to deploy 15,000 additional Direct-to-Cell satellites, beyond the roughly 650 currently supporting the system. The upgraded architecture is expected to begin rolling out in late 2027.
News
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.
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.
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.
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.