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Tesla’s Model 3 and the death of plug-in hybrids: ‘Full electric is a much more elegant solution’
Tesla took a big bet when it decided to launch the Model 3. Being a vehicle designed for the mass market, the sheer scale of the sedan’s production was something that Tesla has not dealt with before. It took more time than expected and a trip through “production hell,” but the Model 3 has now been ramped, with Elon Musk noting that producing 5,000 of the vehicles per week is currently no big deal for Tesla.
The market’s reception to the Model 3 has been encouraging. The vehicle has been performing well in the United States, ranking among America’s best-selling passenger cars. In September alone, the Model 3 became the 4th best-selling car in the US based on sales volume. Based on revenue, the Model 3 was even more impressive, ranking first among passenger cars sold in the country. Tesla does not seem to be planning on pulling back from its Model 3 push either, as the electric carmaker has started rolling out exhibits of the vehicle to Europe and Asia this month.
Amidst the evident success of the Model 3 and Elon Musk’s high-stakes bet on the electric sedan, another class of vehicles has begun to show notable signs of a decline — the plug-in hybrids. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are equipped with both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Popular cars in this class include the Chevy Volt, with its all-electric range of up to 53 miles, and a total range of 420 miles with a full battery and a full tank of gas.
PHEVs have mostly served as the “gateway” vehicles for customers looking to make the jump to electric transportation. Being equipped with a gasoline engine, owners need not worry about any of the initial drawbacks of pure EVs, such as limited range. Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Research Center director Gil Tal noted to Bloomberg that in a way, PHEVs are like the “training wheels” of the electric car movement. That said, Tal noted that as practical, capable EVs like the Model 3 emerge, consumers might simply skip PHEVs and adopt all-electric cars instead.
“A full electric (car) is a much more elegant solution. It’s very simple to build and very low maintenance. It’s just a much more simple story. Plug-in hybrids are just the training wheels in the industry’s preparation for electric cars,” Tal said.
The death of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles became more real recently, with GM announcing that it was closing several of its plants across the United States and Canada. Among these plants was GM’s oldest factory at Detroit-Hamtramck, which produces the Volt. In a later statement, GM confirmed that it would be discontinuing the production of the Volt, with the company focusing on developing all-electric cars like the Bolt EV instead.
GM has announced that it is discontinuing the production of the Chevy Volt. [Credit: Chevrolet]
In a way, the apparent death of the PHEV seemed to have been predicted by Elon Musk eight years ago. In a statement to the media during the opening ceremony of the Fremont factory, Musk likened PHEVs to amphibians during the process of evolution. And just like amphibians, Musk noted that the number of PHEVs would likely decrease as the market moves into the full-electric era.
“(PHEVs are) similar to an amphibian. In the transition from the oceans to land, initially, there were a lot of amphibians. Now there’s not that many amphibians. So the only reason you’d ever need that gasoline engine is if the battery pack does not have enough range, if the recharge times are really slow, and all those things will get solved. So there’s a medium-term role for a plug-in hybrid, but in our view, not a long-term role. I think there’s a role for plug-in hybrids today and there’s a role for electrics, but I think long-term, it all goes electric.”
The seemingly impending death of the plug-in hybrid is not just the result of electric cars like Tesla’s Model S, 3, and X. Earlier this year, a Forbes report earlier this year noted that the efforts (or lack thereof) of manufacturers such as GM are partly to blame for the decline of PHEVs. Inasmuch as the Volt was warmly received by owners and well-reviewed by critics, for example, the vehicle remained a rare sight among GM’s dealerships across the United States. GM’s TV advertising campaigns have not featured the Volt, or its all-electric sibling, the Bolt EV, either.
That said, GM appears to be taking its EV initiative seriously this time around. Earlier this month, for one, VP of global strategy Mike Ableson boldly declared during a press conference that GM is looking to “lead the industry in EVs sometime in the next decade or so.” The next years will determine if these words will be true.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sharply criticized legacy media outlets for what he describes as selective and biased reporting on vehicle accidents involving Tesla. In a recent X post, DeSantis questioned why headlines routinely spotlight the Tesla brand in crash stories, even when human error is the clear cause, while similar incidents with other automakers often receive generic treatment.
A prime example is the June 19, 2026, fatal crash in Katy, Texas. A Tesla Model 3 driven by Michael Butler struck a brick home at high speed, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila inside. Initial reports and headlines prominently featured “Tesla crash” and referenced the driver’s claim that an automated driving-assistance system was engaged.
Many outlets quickly speculated that Full Self-Driving or Autopilot were the cause of the crash, immediately blaming the suites for the accident shortly after it happened.
However, Tesla responded shortly after the accident with vehicle data that showed Butler manually overrode the system by pressing the accelerator to 100 percent, reaching 73 MPH in a residential area, more than double the speed limit. The accelerator remained floored after impact.
Tesla finally clarifies fatal Texas crash, confirms driver manually overrode acceleration
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later confirmed these findings, and Butler now faces manslaughter charges. His phone searches also included queries like “Tesla FSD too timid,” suggesting he may have intervened aggressively. Despite this, many headlines continued to center Tesla’s technology rather than the driver’s actions.
DeSantis highlighted a Washington Post headline, which was labeled, “Newly released photo shows wreckage of Tesla crash that killed grandmother.”
Do legacy media outlets typically use headlines involving the make of a car in a crash or is that only for Tesla?
It would be one thing if the self-driving malfunctioned but the crash was purely human-induced.
Seems like these outlets want to associate Tesla with crashes as… pic.twitter.com/EmfyeYiuv6
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) July 17, 2026
The subheadline noted the driver overrode assistance and floored the accelerator, yet the brand name dominated the framing. He asked whether legacy outlets typically name the make of a car in routine crashes or reserve that treatment for Tesla to push a narrative.
This pattern appears widespread. Crashes involving Ford, Chevrolet, or Toyota vehicles frequently appear as “pickup truck slams into home” or “fatal car crash kills pedestrian” without brand specifics, especially absent new technology angles.
High-profile Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado incidents tied to large sales volumes often escape brand-callout scrutiny. In contrast, Tesla stories consistently lead with the manufacturer, amplifying perceptions of risk despite data showing strong overall safety performance:
🚨 Why do Tesla Owners get so defensive over the narrative of crashes involving Teslas? https://t.co/aX7ogtjTCR pic.twitter.com/KO4QWaLOKl
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 24, 2026
Tesla’s own 2025 Impact Report indicates vehicles using FSD logged 0.19 major incidents per million miles, roughly eight times fewer than the U.S. average. Models like the Model Y also rank among the safest in IIHS and NHTSA testing for occupant protection. Critics argue disproportionate coverage ignores these statistics and driver behavior factors, such as younger or more aggressive Tesla owners in some studies.
DeSantis frames this as part of a broader political agenda against innovative American companies like Tesla. By consistently naming Tesla while downplaying others, media outlets risk eroding public trust and shaping perceptions detached from the evidence of human error in most cases.
As autonomous technology evolves across the industry, consistent and factual reporting will be essential to separate real safety concerns from narrative-driven coverage.
Tesla entered two new markets this week by advancing its presence in Latvia (Europe) and officially launching operations in Uruguay (South America), marking a rapid dual-continent expansion.
These moves underscore the company’s strategy to tap into emerging EV markets with supportive policies, renewable energy grids, and growing demand for sustainable transport.
Latvia: Strengthening the Baltic Footprint
In Latvia, Tesla has built on its earlier registration of Tesla Latvia SIA in late 2025 with recent steps toward full operations, including job postings for a service center and representation in Riga. This aligns with broader Baltic expansion following Lithuania’s model of pop-up stores and service centers.
Coming to Latvia https://t.co/XNkQQJ2O6a pic.twitter.com/yS9kpcNky1
— Tesla Europe, Middle East & Africa (@teslaeurope) July 17, 2026
EV penetration in Latvia stands at around 7 percent for BEVs in new passenger car registrations. 2025 data showed 1,602 BEVs out of about 22,500 total, or 7.1 percent, with combined plug-ins nearing 19 percent. Growth has been steady but below the European average, supported by government subsidies and infrastructure development. Tesla models like the Model 3 lead local EV registrations.
Vehicles for the Latvian market will likely be sourced from Gigafactory Berlin or Gigafactory Shanghai. Charging infrastructure is robust for the region as well, with over 400- 2,000 public points, with Tesla Superchargers in Riga, Jūrmala, and along Via Baltica routes offering up to 250 kW.
Uruguay: Third South American Country
Tesla teased its Uruguay arrival with “Estamos llegando,” or, “We are arriving,” on social media, followed by an official presentation scheduled for mid-July.
Hola Uruguay 🇺🇾
Nuestros Model 3 y Model Y están cada vez mas cerca! pic.twitter.com/FR41fsA7um
— Tesla Latinoamérica (@Tesla_LatAm) June 30, 2026
The company established Tesla Uruguay SAS, homologated Model 3 and Model Y (three versions each), and appointed local leadership. This makes Uruguay Tesla’s third official South American market after Chile and Colombia.
Uruguay boasts one of Latin America’s highest EV penetrations, with battery-electric vehicles exceeding 20 percent market share recently, driven by tax incentives, high fuel prices, and a nearly 95-100 percent renewable electricity grid. Hundreds of Teslas already operate via grey imports, but official sales bring warranties, service, and support.
Vehicles will be imported from Gigafactory Shanghai, enabling competitive pricing for Model 3 and Model Y. Charging plans include Supercharger development alongside existing infrastructure, leveraging the country’s green energy advantage for affordable operation.
Tesla Superchargers follow Model 3 and Model Y to South American country
Tesla’s Dual Continent Expansion
Tesla’s simultaneous push into Latvia and Uruguay demonstrates efficient scaling: prioritizing service and infrastructure first, then direct sales in high-potential niches. In Europe, it fills Baltic gaps; in Latin America, it counters Chinese dominance while leveraging renewables.
This dual move signals Tesla’s ambition to accelerate global EV adoption amid varying regional paces. By addressing local needs, like subsidies in Latvia or incentives and green grids in Uruguay, Tesla not only boosts volumes but advances its mission of sustainable energy.
For investors and consumers, it highlights resilience and opportunity in diverse markets, potentially paving the way for further growth in underserved regions. With strong fundamentals in both, these entries could yield long-term gains as EV transitions mature worldwide.
SpaceX has announced a new target date for the thirteenth test flight of Starship: Monday, July 20, with the launch window opening at 6:45 p.m ET/5:45 p.m. CT.
This is the first rescheduling attempt of Starship’s 13th test flight. It was set to launch last night, but SpaceX scrubbed the launch attempt.
🚨 SpaceX is now looking at Monday, July 20th at 6:45 p.m ET/5:45 p.m. CT for the 13th test flight of Starship pic.twitter.com/7s8aMJV5Ge
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 17, 2026
CEO Elon Musk revealed that some of the engines on Starship did not start, which automatically triggers a launch abort. Two of the Raptor engines will be removed and replaced.
To be confident of a good flight, 2 Raptors will be removed & replaced. Most probable launch timing is early next week.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 17, 2026
SpaceX officially announced the new launch window this morning.
Starship’s 13th test launch comes with a few new objectives, but SpaceX does not plan to attempt a catch of the booster, which it has done several times in the past.
For Starship’s Upper Stage, there are some adjustments to ensure engine reusability that will be assessed during the ascent, and 20 operational Starlink V3 satellites are also set to make their way into space. SpaceX also plans to attempt an in-space relight of a single Raptor engine, which is a critical demonstration for future orbital deorbit, refueling, and deep space maneuvers.
Ultimately, it will splash down in the Indian Ocean.
The continuous tests help SpaceX advance the Starship program toward eventual full reusability, operational Starlink V3 deployment, and future missions, which include NASA’s Artemis program.
Ron DeSantis calls out media bias in Tesla crash coverage
Tesla enters two new markets on two different continents in one week
