News
Tesla Model 3 ‘Highland’ brings EV charging closer to gas station stops than ever before
The Tesla Model 3 “Highland” is bringing electric vehicle drivers closer than ever to gas station stops in terms of duration, according to recent analysts from independent automotive research firm AMCI.
AMCI Testing has been preparing an analysis of electric vehicles with fast-charging capabilities and attempting to determine which models charge the quickest. The testing is being called “MP6,” named after the duration of a typical gas station stop, which is six minutes.
“Effectively, MP6 assumes consumers should not need to alter their long-standing fueling habits—nor the amount of time they are willing to dedicate to enroute fueling,” AMCI writes. “MP6 clearly shows how many miles of range each EV can add within this essential and expected 6-minute window.”
Tesla Supercharging times have reduced by one-third in just five years
In past tests, the Toyota bZ4X placed first in the analysis. However, this year’s testing showed a new vehicle on top: the Model 3 Highland.
During analysis, the Tesla Model 3 Highland doubled the performance of the bZ4X’s from past years.
AMCI said that one of the main drivers behind the Model 3’s strong performance was “the brief time between vehicle connection and maximum current delivery on its native Supercharger network—achieving a maximum rate as high as 174 kW within the first minute.”
Tesla scored a 60.5 MP6 score, while the bZ4X scored just 35.0 MP6, which was good enough for second place. The full results are as follows:
- Tesla Model 3 Highland – 60.5 MP6
- Toyota bZ4X – 35.0 MP6
- Ford Mustang Mach-E – 32.5 MP6
- Mercedes-Benz EQE – 31.5 MP6
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 – 28.0 MP6
- Kia EV6GT – 23.0 MP6
- Ford F-150 Lightning – 22.0 MP6
- Rivian R1S – 20.5 MP6
All testing was performed with the Tesla Supercharger and “Magic Dock,” which brings the Director of AMCI Testing, Guy Mangiamele, to an interesting point:
“It will be interesting to see what happens to Tesla’s performance when we turn the tables and test the Model 3 on a non-Tesla network.”
However, Mangiamele said there are also major advantages to having a charging network that aligns with the vehicles themselves, and it gives those companies a clear advantage. Unfortunately, Tesla is the only EV maker with an expansive charging network.
“Although we have seen significant differences in the MP6 results between previously tested competitors, the 2024 Model 3 shows just what a manufacturer can do when they control both the vehicle and the charger’s protocol,” Mangiamele said. “It’s also important to note that this performance was achieved on Tesla’s lowest-priced vehicle, and with a battery chemistry likely less favorable to fast charging than other Tesla models or non-Tesla competitors.”
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.
Elon Musk
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets.
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets. The company also completed deployment of its first-generation Direct to Cell constellation, launching over 650 satellites in just 18 months to enable cellular connectivity.
SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s impressive 2025 progress in an extensive report.
Key achievements from Starlink’s 2025 Progress
Starlink connected over 4.6 million new customers with high-speed internet while bringing service to 35 more regions worldwide in 2025. Starlink is now connecting 9.2 million people worldwide. The service achieved this just weeks after hitting its 8 million customer milestone.
Starlink is now available in 155 markets, including areas that are unreachable by traditional ISPs. As per SpaceX, Starlink has also provided over 21 million airline passengers and 20 million cruise passengers with reliable high-speed internet connectivity during their travels.
Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink’s Direct to Cell constellation, more than 650 satellites strong, has already connected over 12 million people at least once, marking a breakthrough in global mobile coverage.
Starlink Direct to Cell is currently rolled out to 22 countries and 6 continents, with over 6 million monthly customers. Starlink Direct to Cell also has 27 MNO partners to date.
“This year, SpaceX completed deployment of the first generation of the Starlink Direct to Cell constellation, with more than 650 satellites launched to low-Earth orbit in just 18 months. Starlink Direct to Cell has connected more than 12 million people, and counting, at least once, providing life-saving connectivity when people need it most,” SpaceX wrote.
News
Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
Tesla’s Giga Nevada has reached an impressive milestone, producing its 6 millionth drive unit as 2925 came to a close.
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
6 million drive units
The achievement was shared by the official Tesla Manufacturing account on social media platform X. “Congratulations to the Giga Nevada team for producing their 6 millionth Drive Unit!” Tesla wrote.
The photo showed numerous factory workers assembled on the production floor, proudly holding golden balloons that spelled out “6000000″ in front of drive unit assembly stations. Elon Musk gave credit to the Giga Nevada team, writing, “Congrats on 6M drive units!” in a post on X.
Giga Nevada’s essential role
Giga Nevada produces drive units, battery packs, and energy products. The facility has been a cornerstone of Tesla’s scaling since opening, and it was the crucial facility that ultimately enabled Tesla to ramp the Model 3 and Model Y. Even today, it serves as Tesla’s core hub for battery and drivetrain components for vehicles that are produced in the United States.
Giga Nevada is expected to support Tesla’s ambitious 2026 targets, including the launch of vehicles like the Tesla Semi and the Cybercab. Tesla will have a very busy 2026, and based on Giga Nevada’s activities so far, it appears that the facility will be equally busy as well.
News
Tesla Supercharger network delivers record 6.7 TWh in 2025
The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets.
Tesla’s Supercharger Network had its biggest year ever in 2025, delivering a record 6.7 TWh of electricity to vehicles worldwide.
To celebrate its busy year, the official @TeslaCharging account shared an infographic showing the Supercharger Network’s growth from near-zero in 2012 to this year’s impressive milestone.
Record 6.7 TWh delivered in 2025
The bar chart shows steady Supercharger energy delivery increases since 2012. Based on the graphic, the Supercharger Network started small in the mid-2010s and accelerated sharply after 2019, when the Model 3 was going mainstream.
Each year from 2020 onward showed significantly more energy delivery, with 2025’s four quarters combining for the highest total yet at 6.7 TWh.
This energy powered millions of charging sessions across Tesla’s growing fleet of vehicles worldwide. The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets. This makes the Supercharger Network loved not just by Tesla owners but EV drivers as a whole.
Resilience after Supercharger team changes
2025’s record energy delivery comes despite earlier 2024 layoffs on the Supercharger team, which sparked concerns about the system’s expansion pace. Max de Zegher, Tesla Director of Charging North America, also highlighted that “Outside China, Superchargers delivered more energy than all other fast chargers combined.”
Longtime Tesla owner and FSD tester Whole Mars Catalog noted the achievement as proof of continued momentum post-layoffs. At the time of the Supercharger team’s layoffs in 2024, numerous critics were claiming that Elon Musk was halting the network’s expansion altogether, and that the team only remained because the adults in the room convinced the juvenile CEO to relent.
Such a scenario, at least based on the graphic posted by the Tesla Charging team on X, seems highly implausible.
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
