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Tesla Roadster, Cybertruck top list of most anticipated EVs in the world
A study from Lease Fetcher, a UK-based vehicle leasing comparison platform, has determined that among the EVs that are yet to be released and those that are already available in the market, Tesla’s cars are among the most desired. After studying the search volume for electric cars across 172 countries, the UK-based firm found that the Tesla Roadster is the most anticipated EV model worldwide.
The firm’s study found that overall, the Tesla Roadster has been searched a whopping 6,960,000 times in 2022. That’s an average of 580,000 times per month. This is quite impressive because the new Roadster is not even out yet, and it’s been years since its initial unveiling. While the Roadster would likely be a vehicle that is not mass manufactured anywhere close to the volumes of the Model 3 and Model Y, it is nonetheless an EV that captures the imagination.
Following the Tesla Roadster is the electric vehicle maker’s other upcoming vehicle, the Cybertruck. The study found that the Cybetruck was the second most anticipated electric car model on a global scale, with the vehicle being searched for 6,612,000 times. Just like the next-generation Roadster, the interest surrounding the Cybertruck is impressive, considering the vehicle’s delayed deliveries and production.
Interestingly, the EVs that followed the Tesla Roadster and the Cybertruck was a rather eclectic mix of electric cars. Behind the Cybertruck, for example, was the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which saw 4,404,000 global searches; the very-much-still-a-rumor Apple Car, which saw 3,432,000 global searches, and the 2023 GMC Hummer EV, which saw 2,400,000 searches worldwide.
This does not mean to say that Tesla’s existing lineup is not seeing a lot of interest. As noted by the car leasing company’s study, the Tesla Model 3 sedan is actually still the hottest EV on the internet, seeing an incredible 25,200,000 searches globally. That’s an average of 2,100,000 per month. Following the Model 3 is the Kia EV6, which saw 16,440,000 yearly searches, the Tesla Model Y crossover, which saw 15,600,000 annual searches, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which saw 13,320,000 searches, and the Porsche Taycan, which saw 12,240,000 global searches.
The Tesla Model S and Model X are still part of the list of the world’s most desired EVs by global search volume. The Model X, for example, is in sixth place with 10,752,000 global searches. The Model S is right behind the Model X, with 10,032,000 global searches. This suggests that Tesla’s entire electric vehicle catalog — including its more expensive models — is ranked among the world’s most desirable EVs.
Lease Fetcher summarized its thoughts about Tesla’s results in the following statement.
-->“Tesla has such a domineering presence in the electric car industry that it’s no surprise that their models are amongst the most popular current models, and the most anticipated. For many, Tesla is synonymous with electric cars. In terms of models available in 2022, the Tesla Model 3 has been a massive hit with EV buyers – it’s a powerful, environmentally-friendly model with an attractive body. It has been a welcome change for many EV buyers who were not drawn in by some of the quirkier EV designs by other manufacturers,” the firm noted.
The full study from Lease Fetcher can be viewed here.
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News
Elon Musk makes a key Tesla Optimus detail official
“Since we are naming the singular, we will also name the plural, so Optimi it is,” Musk wrote on X.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk just made a key detail about Optimus official. In a post on X, the CEO clarified some key wording about Optimus, which should help the media and the public become more familiar with the humanoid robot.
Elon Musk makes Optimus’ plural term official
Elon Musk posted a number of Optimus-related posts on X this weekend. On Saturday, he stated that Optimus would be the Von Neumann probe, a machine that could eventually be capable of replicating itself. This capability, it seems, would be the key to Tesla achieving Elon Musk’s ambitious Optimus production targets.
Amidst the conversations about Optimus on X, a user of the social media platform asked the CEO what the plural term for the humanoid robot will be. As per Musk, Tesla will be setting the plural term for Optimus since the company also decided on the robot’s singular term. “Since we are naming the singular, we will also name the plural, so Optimi it is,” Musk wrote in his reply on X.
This makes it official. For media outlets such as Teslarati, numerous Optimus bots are now called Optimi. It rolls off the tongue pretty well, too.
Optimi will be a common sight worldwide
While Musk’s comment may seem pretty mundane to some, it is actually very important. Optimus is intended to be Tesla’s highest volume product, with the CEO estimating that the humanoid robot could eventually see annual production rates in the hundreds of millions, perhaps even more. Since Optimi will be a very common sight worldwide, it is good that people can now get used to terms describing the humanoid robot.
-->During the Tesla 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Musk stated that the humanoid robot will see “the fastest production ramp of any product of any large complex manufactured product ever,” starting with a one-million-Optimi-per-year production line at the Fremont Factory. Giga Texas would get an even bigger Optimus production line, which should be capable of producing tens of millions of Optimi per year.
News
Tesla is improving Giga Berlin’s free “Giga Train” service for employees
With this initiative, Tesla aims to boost the number of Gigafactory Berlin employees commuting by rail while keeping the shuttle free for all riders.
Tesla will expand its factory shuttle service in Germany beginning January 4, adding direct rail trips from Berlin Ostbahnhof to Giga Berlin-Brandenburg in Grünheide.
With this initiative, Tesla aims to boost the number of Gigafactory Berlin employees commuting by rail while keeping the shuttle free for all riders.
New shuttle route
As noted in a report from rbb24, the updated service, which will start January 4, will run between the Berlin Ostbahnhof East Station and the Erkner Station at the Gigafactory Berlin complex. Tesla stated that the timetable mirrors shift changes for the facility’s employees, and similar to before, the service will be completely free. The train will offer six direct trips per day as well.
“The service includes six daily trips, which also cover our shift times. The trains will run between Berlin Ostbahnhof (with a stop at Ostkreuz) and Erkner station to the Gigafactory,” Tesla Germany stated.
Even with construction continuing at Fangschleuse and Köpenick stations, the company said the route has been optimized to maintain a predictable 35-minute travel time. The update follows earlier phases of Tesla’s “Giga Train” program, which initially connected Erkner to the factory grounds before expanding to Berlin-Lichtenberg.
-->Tesla pushes for majority rail commuting
Tesla began production at Grünheide in March 2022, and the factory’s workforce has since grown to around 11,500 employees, with an estimated 60% commuting from Berlin. The facility produces the Model Y, Tesla’s best-selling vehicle, for both Germany and other territories.
The company has repeatedly emphasized its goal of having more than half its staff use public transportation rather than cars, positioning the shuttle as a key part of that initiative. In keeping with the factory’s sustainability focus, Tesla continues to allow even non-employees to ride the shuttle free of charge, making it a broader mobility option for the area.
News
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y dominate China’s real-world efficiency tests
The Tesla Model 3 posted 20.8 kWh/100 km while the Model Y followed closely at 21.8 kWh/100 km.
Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y once again led the field in a new real-world energy-consumption test conducted by China’s Autohome, outperforming numerous rival electric vehicles in controlled conditions.
The results, which placed both Teslas in the top two spots, prompted Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun to acknowledge Tesla’s efficiency advantage while noting that his company’s vehicles will continue refining its own models to close the gap.
Tesla secures top efficiency results
Autohome’s evaluation placed all vehicles under identical conditions, such as a full 375-kg load, cabin temperature fixed at 24°C on automatic climate control, and a steady cruising speed of 120 km/h. In this environment, the Tesla Model 3 posted 20.8 kWh/100 km while the Model Y followed closely at 21.8 kWh/100 km, as noted in a Sina News report.
These figures positioned Tesla’s vehicles firmly at the top of the ranking and highlighted their continued leadership in long-range efficiency. The test also highlighted how drivetrain optimization, software management, and aerodynamic profiles remain key differentiators in high-speed, cold-weather scenarios where many electric cars struggle to maintain low consumption.
Xiaomi’s Lei Jun pledges to continue learning from Tesla
Following the results, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun noted that the Xiaomi SU7 actually performed well overall but naturally consumed more energy due to its larger C-segment footprint and higher specification. He reiterated that factors such as size and weight contributed to the difference in real-world consumption compared to Tesla. Still, the executive noted that Xiaomi will continue to learn from the veteran EV maker.
“The Xiaomi SU7’s energy consumption performance is also very good; you can take a closer look. The fact that its test results are weaker than Tesla’s is partly due to objective reasons: the Xiaomi SU7 is a C-segment car, larger and with higher specifications, making it heavier and naturally increasing energy consumption. Of course, we will continue to learn from Tesla and further optimize its energy consumption performance!” Lei Jun wrote in a post on Weibo.
-->Lei Jun has repeatedly described Tesla as the global benchmark for EV efficiency, previously stating that Xiaomi may require three to five years to match its leadership. He has also been very supportive of FSD, even testing the system in the United States.
Elon Musk makes a key Tesla Optimus detail official
Tesla is improving Giga Berlin’s free “Giga Train” service for employees
