Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model Y: Why it will dominate the crossover EV segment
Tesla’s Model Y will be the company’s first crack at the all-too popular crossover segment. With its first expected deliveries to take place in 2020, one thing is for sure: The most popular electric vehicle brand in the U.S. will hit another home run with the Model Y, and the fact that it is not the first crossover EV on the market will benefit Tesla in the long run.
There is an old saying that states, “The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” In the case of a fully electric crossover vehicle, Tesla is the mouse here, and the fact they are releasing their introductory crossover long after other manufacturers have already released theirs is an advantage for the Silicon Valley-based automaker.
The Jaguar I-Pace, Kia Niro EV, Audi e-Tron, and the Hyundai Kona Electric have all made their way into the American market, giving consumers who want an electric car with the versatility of a crossover the opportunity to own one. But one issue with being the first to release a vehicle with that body style is this: other manufacturers will take the mistakes you made, and improve upon them in their own vehicles. Crossover EVs will continue to evolve into more complex and effective machines, meaning first is not necessarily the best in this case.
But why has Tesla been so successful? There are a few reasons as to how they’ve become the industry standard for electric cars. The first being that they exclusively make vehicles not powered by fossil fuels, an important concept to the prospective buyer who is interested in the sustainability aspect of the industry.
Manufacturers like Audi and Jaguar who are releasing their first cracks at an electric vehicle are making strides, but they’re still primarily focused on creating cars powered by gas. It is hard for someone, especially those who believe wholeheartedly that the future of transportation must be electric, to support a manufacturer whose main focus is on gas-powered machines, even if they are transitioning to producing electric cars. The sales figures of all-electric crossovers like the Audi e-Tron, the Hyundai Kona EV, The Jaguar I-PACE, and the Kia Niro EV, all of whom reportedly did not even breach a thousand units in sales for September, further emphasizes this point.
The Model 3 has become the most popular electric vehicle on the market, selling over 19,000 units in the month of September alone. This figure is around eight times as many as the next closest competitor, according to Forbes. The future of Tesla is slowly navigating away from the Model S and Model X, and the Model 3 and Model Y are where the company will shape its focus.
“To be totally frank, we’re continuing to make [the Model S and Model X) more for sentimental reasons than anything else. They’re really of minor importance to the future,” he said, noting the cost-effectiveness of the 3 and the Y are important, as they are cheaper to produce and more affordable for consumers.
Tesla’s decision to release the Model Y after the Model 3 is all for a good reason. It is obvious the company is already focused on creating a perfect vehicle, and we know Mr. Elon Musk won’t give the loyal Tesla consumer anything short of perfect. With continually improving vehicles due to the company’s ability to utilize Over-the-Air software updates, any issues that may come up will likely be addressed by the automaker and improved upon over time. Among carmakers vying for the lucrative crossover EV segment, after all, few can match Tesla’s drive and dedication to develop the right EV for the right buyers.
Tesla is offering a tasty Supercharging incentive on certain Model 3 trims, but the company has officially put a concrete end date on it, so those interested should act fast.
Tesla is offering Free Supercharging for One Year on the Model 3 Premium and Performance trims, the top two offerings of the all-electric sedan. There are three trims of the Model 3 that will have the Free Supercharging offer attached:
- Premium Rear-Wheel-Drive – $42,490
- Premium All-Wheel-Drive – $47,490
- Performance – $54,990
Tesla has now announced that this offer will expire on June 15, giving potential buyers about ten days to take advantage of the incentive.
This could be an additional incentive for car buyers to transition to electric vehicles. Many states are showing gas prices well over $4 per gallon, with the national average currently sitting at $4.22, according to AAA.
A free year of Supercharging miles would allow people to charge and travel for free, other than routine maintenance, which is already incredibly cheap compared to a gas car.
🚨 Tesla is now showing that it’s Free Supercharging offer for Model 3 Premium and Performance trims ends June 15 pic.twitter.com/VCLeddNSj8
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 5, 2026
At Tesla Superchargers, peak rates, meaning prices between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., average between $0.45 and $0.60. One year of driving at an average of 12,000 miles would cost between $1,000 and $1,500 at $0.50 per kWh. It’s a pretty good deal.
Supercharging prices have also increased recently:
Many of the Superchargers in my area just had their peak rates increased from $0.44 per kWh to $0.49, $0.52, and $0.54 per kWh
If you’re looking to save on your commute/travel for the next year, this Model 3 Free Supercharging incentive might not be a bad idea https://t.co/YDwwl4xxHk pic.twitter.com/DleURW7eqa
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 5, 2026
Tesla has used Free Supercharging to move units in the past, and it’s a great strategy for those who plan to use the car for longer commutes, cross-country drives, or do not have reliable access to home charging.
It should be noted that Tesla recommends that Supercharging be used at a minimum to preserve the life of the battery, as fast-charging is more stressful on the cells.
However, some people might not have an option, so the Free Supercharging incentive could truly be a great reason for many people to charge their cars.
The Supercharging incentive is short-term, and it is pretty rare that Tesla utilizes it, so once this offer is gone, we probably will not see it on the Model 3 for some time.
Lifestyle
Tesla saves its passengers again – This time after a 300-foot cliff fall in Malibu
A Tesla Model 3 fell 300 feet off a Malibu cliff and both passengers survived.
A Tesla Model 3 plunged roughly 300 feet off a cliff on Mulholland Highway in Malibu on Friday morning, May 29, 2026, and both occupants survived. The crash was reported at approximately 7:30 a.m. near the 2500 block of Mulholland Highway, triggering a multi-agency rescue operation involving Malibu Search and Rescue, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol, and McCormick Ambulance.
When first responders arrived, the male driver was outside the vehicle shouting for help while the female passenger remained pinned inside the Tesla. Rescue crews rappelled down the cliffside on ropes to reach the wreckage. A flight medic was lowered by helicopter to begin treating both victims, and the driver was hoisted up to the roadway before crews used the Jaws of Life to free the trapped passenger. Both were airlifted to a local trauma center with moderate injuries despite a remarkable result for a fall that steep.
The outcome is not surprising, considering Model 3 earned an overall 5-star rating from NHTSA in every category and sub-category, and recorded the lowest probability of injury of any car ever evaluated by the U.S. New Car Assessment Program. The absence of a traditional engine in the front of the vehicle creates a longer crumple zone that absorbs impact energy before it reaches occupants, and the battery pack running along the floor gives the car an unusually low center of gravity that reinforces structural rigidity.
This is not the first time a Tesla has kept passengers alive after going off a cliff. A Tesla Model Y carrying a family of four survived a plunge off a cliff at Devil’s Slide near San Francisco in January 2023, with two adults and two children walking away from a 250-foot fall. That incident drew widespread attention to how the structural integrity of Tesla’s electric platform performs in extreme crash scenarios that most vehicles would not survive.
Tesla Model Y driver who drove off cliff with family attempts to avoid criminal conviction
Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, recently revealed the company has thought about introducing a Plaid powertrain on the Model 3, but there could be some challenges involved.
On the Ride the Lightning podcast, Moravy revealed that he thinks about a Plaid Model 3 “all the time,” and it certainly has a place in Tesla’s potential lineup of future vehicles.
Now that the Plaid powertrain is technically defunct due to the newfound absence of the Model S and Model X, Tesla could find a way to reintroduce the lightning-quick trim level to its mass-market vehicles.
But there are going to be some challenges with it. Moravy said that the Model 3 Plaid would likely adopt the carbon-sleeved motors that the Model S Plaid had. However, packaging would be a major challenge, as Moravy said on the podcast, it would be a “tight engineering squeeze.”
It’s important to note that there are no active production plans for the Model 3 Plaid at this point, but it’s also worth noting that with the Model S and Model X Plaid no longer available, Tesla would likely be willing to introduce something that is even more white-knuckle than the Model 3 Performance, which already boasts a 2.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate and a top speed of 163 MPH.
Of course, there is the Roadster, but we don’t know when that will exactly make it to market, and we know that, for sure, it will not be accessible to many.
Tesla unveils juicy new detail on the Roadster and hints at new unveil timeline
Tesla has prided itself in building some of the best cars out there, but they’re also interested in building cars that are simply fun to be in.
A Plaid Model 3 could truly push the limits and could end up being one of the best cars Tesla will ever build, especially if it can shave off at least half of a second from its 0-60 MPH time and increase its top speed slightly.
More than anything, the real changes will be in the ride and aerodynamics. Tesla improving things like the suspension, handling, and downforce will be the true trademarks of its Plaid powertrain; putting it in the Model 3 could be a great move for the company and for customers interested in high-end performance.
Tesla Roadster unveiling gets pushed again, but new event details emerge
Tesla Model 3 has a tasty Supercharging incentive, but it’s ending soon
