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Tesla boosts Model 3 Standard Range+ Supercharging power to 170 kW

(Credit: Tesla)

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Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is getting an increase in Supercharging peak power to 170 kW in the latest over-the-air software update. The boost in Supercharger charging rate for the entry-level Model 3 variant represents a nearly 50-70% increase from its 100 kW to 120 kW charge rate, prior to the version 2019.36.1 update.

Tesla’s release notes for the update were brief and direct. “Your Model 3 is now able to charge with increased peak rate power up to 170 kW,” Tesla wrote. The update will enable Model 3 Standard Range Plus owners with more convenience to conduct long trips, thanks to faster Supercharging sessions. Additionally, by increasing peak power at Supercharger stalls, Tesla is able to improve throughout at each station by supporting more vehicles per day.

It should be noted that the Tesla Model 3 is capable of supporting Tesla’s V3 Supercharger Network, which features a peak output of 250 kW. This was true for Long Range vehicles like the Model 3 Dual Motor AWD and the Performance variant, both of which can charge at 250 kW, but cars with smaller batteries such as the Standard Range Plus Model 3 charged at a lower rate. 

A screenshot of Tesla’s release notes for the recent update was shared online by Model 3 Standard Range Plus owner and r/TeslaLounge subreddit member u/toddzman, who noted that prior to the update, his car would usually top out during Supercharging sessions at 456 mph at 100 kW. With the boost to a 170 kW peak supercharging rate, the Tesla owner noted that his Standard Range Plus Model 3 could potentially hit charging speeds of about 775 miles per hour of charge, provided that it is connected to a V3 Supercharger. 

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Apart from Supercharger Improvements, Tesla has also rolled out a Power Increase to its fleet of Standard Range Plus Model 3. Similar to the Supercharger peak rate boost, the release notes for the power increase were notably brief and understated. “Your car’s power has been increased by approximately 5%, improving acceleration and performance,” the electric car maker wrote.  

These recent upgrades would likely be appreciated by Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus owners. The vehicle, after all, is Tesla’s most affordable Autopilot-equipped all-electric car available today. With more power and faster Supercharging speeds, Tesla has only made one of its most affordable vehicles even more of a bang-for-your-buck car. A car buyer would be quite challenged to find a comparable vehicle with such range, supercharging speed, standard Autopilot, and power at the same price point as the Model 3 Standard Range Plus, after all. 

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Model 3 becomes Netherlands’ best-selling used EV in 2025

More than one in ten second-hand electric cars sold in the country last year was a Tesla Model 3.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/Twitter

The Tesla Model 3 became the most popular used electric car in the Netherlands in 2025, cementing its dominance well beyond the country’s new-car market. 

After years at the top of Dutch EV sales charts, the Model 3 now leads the country’s second-hand EV market by a wide margin, as record used-car purchases pushed electric vehicles further into the mainstream.

Model 3 takes a commanding lead

The Netherlands recorded more than 2.1 million used car sales last year, the highest level on record. Of those, roughly 4.8%, or about 102,000 vehicles, were electric. Within that growing segment, the Tesla Model 3 stood far ahead of its competitors.

In 2025 alone, 11,338 used Model 3s changed hands, giving the car an 11.1% share of the country’s entire used EV market. That means more than one in ten second-hand electric cars sold in the country last year was a Tesla Model 3, Auto Week Netherlands reported. The scale of its lead is striking: the gap between the Model 3 and the second-place finisher, the Volkswagen ID3, is more than 6,700 vehicles.

Rivals trail as residual values shape rankings

The Volkswagen ID.3 ranked a distant second, with 4,595 used units sold and a 4.5% market share. Close behind was the Audi e-tron, which placed third with 4,236 registrations. As noted by Auto Week Netherlands, relatively low residual values likely boosted the e-tron’s appeal in the used market, despite its higher original price.

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Other strong performers included the Kia Niro, the Tesla Model Y, and the Hyundai Kona, highlighting continued demand for compact and midsize electric vehicles with proven range and reliability. No other model, however, came close to matching the Model 3’s scale or market presence.

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Tesla Model Y Standard Long Range RWD launches in Europe

The update was announced by Tesla Europe & Middle East in a post on its official social media account on X.

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Credit: Tesla Europe & Middle East/X

Tesla has expanded the Model Y lineup in Europe with the introduction of the Standard Long Range RWD variant, which offers an impressive 657 km of WLTP range. 

The update was announced by Tesla Europe & Middle East in a post on its official social media account on X.

Model Y Standard Long Range RWD Details

Tesla Europe & Middle East highlighted some of the Model Y Standard Long Range RWD’s most notable specs, from its 657 km of WLTP range to its 2,118 liters of cargo volume. More importantly, Tesla also noted that the newly released variant only consumes 12.7 kWh per 100 km, making it the most efficient Model Y to date. 

The Model Y Standard provides a lower entry point for consumers who wish to enter the Tesla ecosystem at the lowest possible price. While the Model 3 Standard is still more affordable, some consumers might prefer the Model Y Standard due to its larger size and crossover form factor. The fact that the Model Y Standard is equipped with Tesla’s AI4 computer also makes it ready for FSD’s eventual rollout to the region. 

Top Gear’s Model Y Standard review

Top Gear‘s recent review of the Tesla Model Y Standard highlighted some of the vehicle’s most notable features, such as its impressive real-world range, stellar infotainment system, and spacious interior. As per the publication, the Model Y Standard still retains a lot of what makes Tesla’s vehicles well-rounded, even if it’s been equipped with a simplified interior.

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Top Gear compared the Model Y Standard to its rivals in the same segment. “The introduction of the Standard trim brings the Model Y in line with the entry price of most of its closest competition. In fact, it’s actually cheaper than a Peugeot e-3008 and costs £5k less than an entry-level Audi Q4 e-tron. It also makes the Ford Mustang Mach-E look a little short with its higher entry price and worse range,” the publication wrote. 

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Elon Musk’s xAI bets $20B on Mississippi with 2GW AI data center project

The project is expected to create hundreds of permanent jobs, dramatically expand xAI’s computing capacity, and further cement the Mid-South as a growing hub for AI infrastructure.

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Credit: Governor Tate Reeves/X

Elon Musk’s xAI plans to pour more than $20 billion into a massive new data center campus in Southaven, Mississippi, marking the largest single economic development project in the state’s history. 

The project is expected to create hundreds of permanent jobs, dramatically expand xAI’s computing capacity, and further cement the Mid-South as a growing hub for AI infrastructure.

xAI goes MACROHARDRR in Mississippi

xAI has acquired and is retrofitting an existing facility in Southaven to serve as a new data center, which will be known as “MACROHARDRR.” The site sits near a recently acquired power plant and close to one of xAI’s existing data centers in Tennessee, creating a regional cluster designed to support large-scale AI training and inference. 

Once completed, the Southaven facility is expected to push the company’s total computing capacity to nearly 2 GW, placing it among the most powerful AI compute installations globally. The data center is scheduled to begin operations in February 2026.

Gov. Tate Reeves shared his optimism about the project in a press release. “This record-shattering $20 billion investment is an amazing start to what is sure to be another incredible year for economic development in Mississippi. Today, Elon Musk is bringing xAI to DeSoto County, a project that will transform the region and bring amazing opportunities to its residents for generations. This is the largest economic development project in Mississippi’s history,” he said. 

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xAI’s broader AI ambitions

To secure the investment, the Mississippi Development Authority approved xAI for its Data Center Incentive program, which provides sales and use tax exemptions on eligible computing hardware and software. The City of Southaven and DeSoto County are also supporting the project through fee-in-lieu agreements aimed at accelerating development timelines and reducing upfront costs.

Founded in 2023 by Elon Musk, xAI develops advanced artificial intelligence systems focused on large-scale reasoning and generative applications. Its flagship product, Grok, is integrated with the social media platform X, alongside a growing suite of APIs for image generation, voice, and autonomous agents, including offerings tailored for government use.

Elon Musk highlighted xAi’s growth and momentum in a comment about the matter. “xAI is scaling at an immeasurable pace — we are building our third massive data center in the greater Memphis area. MACROHARDRR pushes our Colossus training compute to ~2GW – by far the most powerful AI system on Earth. This is insane execution speed by xAI and the state of Mississippi. We are grateful to Governor Reeves for his support of building xAI at warp speed,” Musk said. 

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