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Tesla, SpaceX enthusiasts embraced at X Takeover this month

Credit: Tesla Owners Silicon Valley

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The X Takeover, formerly called the Tesla Takeover, is coming up later this month, and it’s expanding its scope this year to include more than just the electric vehicle (EV) company’s enthusiasts.

Taking place in San Luis Obispo, California, from July 26-28, the X Takeover has increased its offerings this year to accommodate fans of Tesla, SpaceX, and other tech and digital connectivity themes. Along with group rides, a massive live Tesla light show, and more, the event will include keynote speeches from Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and SpaceX-affiliated entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman.

The event is being organized by Tesla Owners Silicon Valley at the Madonna Inn, with opening events taking place on Friday, while breakout sessions and keynote speeches will happen on Saturday and Sunday. More than 60 exhibitors will be selling accessories, services, and other products, along with a camping expo, a Super modified Tesla contest, a Cybertruck showcase, and more.

“We are thrilled to unveil X Takeover and provide attendees with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the worlds of Tesla, SpaceX, and beyond,” says John Stringer, Tesla Owners Silicon Valley President. “Our event will allow attendees to learn from industry experts, connect with like-minded individuals, and experience Tesla’s and SpaceX’s latest technological advancements, and we can’t wait to share them with the world.”

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Event sponsors include T-Sportline, Tesplus, Michelin, and Tesla, and a portion of the proceeds from the event will also go toward the 17 Strong charity and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Tickets start at $45 for a one-day pass, or $60 for a Saturday-Sunday pass.

Last year’s Tesla Takeover had over 2,000 in attendance, and organizers expect this year to land somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000.

You can see the full schedule for the 2024 X Takeover below, or check out the full Eventbrite page here to buy tickets.

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X Takeover Schedule: Friday, July 26, 2024

  • 5:00 p.m. – Open House at Tesla San Luis Obispo
  • 6:00 p.m. – Pre-Event Central Coast Scenic Ride & Drive
  • 9:00 p.m. – Epic Synchronized Tesla Light Show

X Takeover Schedule: Saturday, July 27, 2024

  • 10:30 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions (ft. John Stringer, Kelvin Gee)
  • 11:10 a.m. – Cyberbull$: Many Opportunities Ahead for Tesla in the Coming Years (ft. Alexandra Merz, Jeff Lutz, Galileo Russell, Herbert Ong)
  • 11:50 a.m. – Enhance Your Tesla Experience: Discover TESPLUS’ Latest Accessories Lineup (ft. Chris Li, Ted Marena)
  • 12:30 p.m. – Charge Ahead: Unlocking the Future of EV Charging with EVject’s Breakaway Adapter (ft. Kreg Peeler, Ted Marena)
  • 1:10 p.m. – Tesla Adventure: Unleashing the Potential of Camping with Your Electric Ride (ft. Matthew Hofmann, Ted Marena)
  • 1:50 p.m. – Living Electric: Exploring the Tesla Lifestyle and Community (ft. Kim Java, Ryan McCaffrey)
  • 2:30 p.m. – Unleashing Efficiency: Michelin’s EV-Ready Product Line and the e.Primacy Tire (ft. Russell Shepherd, Ryan McCaffrey)
  • 3:10 p.m. – Customizing the Future: T Sportline’s Innovations with Cybertruck Modification (ft. Brian Reese)
  • 3:50 p.m. – Into the Future: Exploring Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, Robotics, and Neuralink (ft. Dr. Know It All, Whole Mars Catalog, Ryan Tanaka, Meet Kevin)
  • 4:40 p.m. – Keynote: Shaping the Future of Automotive Innovation (ft. Franz von Holzhausen, John Stringer, Kelvin Gee)
  • 5:30 p.m. – Group Photo, Super Modified Tesla Contest Winner, Passport Drawing, and Wrap Up (ft. Joe Jefferson)

X Takeover Schedule: Sunday, July 28, 2024

  • 10:30 a.m. – Unplugged and Unstoppable: Revolutionizing the Cybertruck and America’s Police (ft. Ben Schaffer, John Stringer)
  • 11:00 a.m. – Journey to the Stars: Exploring SpaceX’s Quest for Space Exploration (ft. Ellie in Space, Felix Schlang)
  • 11:30 a.m. – Powering Perspectives: Discussions with Tesla Influencers (ft. Dirty Tesla, Bearded Tesla, Everyday Chris, Brian White)
  • 12:40 p.m. – Keynote: From Entrepreneurship to the Cosmos: A Journey of Inspiration (ft. Jared Isaacman, John Stringer, Kelvin Gee)
  • 1:30 p.m. – Passport Prize Giveaway and Wrap Up

Over 1,000 Tesla owners host largest light show yet in South Korea

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Zach is a renewable energy reporter who has been covering electric vehicles since 2020. He grew up in Fremont, California, and he currently lives in Colorado. His work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, KRON4 San Francisco, FOX31 Denver, InsideEVs, CleanTechnica, and many other publications. When he isn't covering Tesla or other EV companies, you can find him writing and performing music, drinking a good cup of coffee, or hanging out with his cats, Banks and Freddie. Reach out at zach@teslarati.com, find him on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

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Investor's Corner

Lucid CEO dispels any rumors of bankruptcy: ‘So far from the facts’

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Credit: Lucid

Lucid CEO Silvio Napoli responded to rumors of an imminent bankruptcy that was reportedly being mulled after a report stated the automaker was working with the firm AlixPartners to iron out its next steps.

The company felt a massive loss on Wall Street yesterday, as the report essentially pushed the stock down as much as 55 percent on Tuesday.

The report, published initially by Eletric-Vehicles.com, claimed Lucid was essentially in dire straits and was told by AlixPartners, a commonly used restructuring advisor, to either take shares private or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Lucid denies rumors of bankruptcy after over 40% stock drop

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Lucid’s head of Communications, Nick Twork, immediately challenged the report and stated the company “has sufficient liquidity to carry its operations well into next year.”

Now, the company’s CEO is chiming in as well, stating that the report is “so far from the facts that they require a direct response.”

Napoli said:

“Lucid is not considering bankruptcy or a transaction to take the company private. Those reports are false. The Board did not explore either scenario. Period.

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As disclosed in our most recent quarterly filing, Lucid has sufficient liquidity to fund its operations well into next year.

We work with outside advisors to improve operational performance and execution. They are not advising Lucid on a take-private transaction or bankruptcy, and any suggestion that they have recommended either course of action to management or the Board is false.

My priority is clear: turn this company around. That is where the leadership team and I are focused.

I look forward to providing a full update during our quarterly earnings call on August 4th.”

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It seems pretty clear that Lucid is confident things will be okay, and, to be honest, they should not have much to worry about, especially considering the company has been backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) for years. It has solid financial backing, and its sales, while weak, are pretty much right on par with a company of this age.

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Lucid also sent a Cease & Desist letter to the publication for their report.

Lucid shares have rebounded nicely and are up nearly 21 percent at the time of publication. As soon as the company dispelled the rumors of bankruptcy yesterday, the stock began to climb back toward more reasonable levels.

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Tesla responds to strange Supercharging pricing error with classy move

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla has once again demonstrated strong customer focus by swiftly addressing and fully refunding a bizarre Supercharger pricing glitch that affected drivers in Atlantic Canada.

The issue surfaced earlier this month when the Tesla app began displaying dramatically inflated per-minute charging rates at stations in Prince Edward Island and parts of New Brunswick.

One widely shared screenshot from a Charlottetown, PEI Supercharger showed rates reaching ridiculous levels: $6.00 per minute for the 180-250 kW tier, along with $3.57/min for 100-180 kW and $2.29/min for 60-100 kW.

These figures were several times higher than normal Supercharger pricing in the region.

To put the error in perspective, charging at the highest incorrect rate would have been shockingly expensive.

At 250 kW, a common charging speed at Superchargers, a vehicle pulls roughly 4.17 kWh per minute. Under the glitch, a driver spending just 10 minutes at peak power would face a $60 bill. A typical 20- to 30-minute session to add meaningful range could have cost $120 to $180 or more, before any congestion fees.

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Tesla gets another layer of gamification with Free Supercharging on the line

By comparison, standard Canadian Supercharger rates usually fall between $0.25 and $0.60 per kWh, making a similar session cost roughly $15–$40. The erroneous per-minute structure, combined with the inflated numbers, turned what should be a convenient stop into a potential financial shock.

The glitch appears to have started sometime around early July, and quickly drew attention on social media as owners questioned whether Tesla had implemented steep hidden increases. Some drivers even reported seeing $0 charges in their history, indicating broader billing confusion.

Tesla’s official Charging account on X stated that correct pricing would roll out at midnight on July 13, so the fix is already in effect. More importantly, the company announced it would waive all fees for every Supercharger session since July 2. This blanket waiver covers the entire affected period without requiring users to file individual claims, with automated refunds expected soon. The decision affects stations in PEI and nearby areas in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

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It’s a classy move, and rather than issuing partial credits or forcing owners to submit support tickets, Tesla simply absorbed the cost of the system error and made drivers whole. In an industry where hidden fees and bill disputes are common, Tesla’s proactive, no-questions-asked approach reinforces owner trust and highlights the company’s commitment to service excellence.

The incident, while disruptive for a short time, ultimately showcases Tesla’s ability to own mistakes and prioritize customer satisfaction. Atlantic Canada Tesla owners can now charge with confidence again, knowing the company has their back when technology glitches occur.

In an era of complex EV billing, such transparency and generosity are refreshing and set a positive example for the industry.

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SpaceX unveils Starlink next-gen V5 kit: here’s what’s new

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Credit: Starlink

SpaceX’s Starlink has launched its latest residential hardware kit: the V5. Designed for reliable high-speed internet, the new terminal represents a significant leap forward in user equipment.

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The new V5 Starlink kit features a dramatically smaller and lighter form factor, measuring approximately 384 mm x 306 mm x 34 mm and weighing just 1.1 kg, which is less than half the weight of the previous V4 model, which was 2.9 kg.

This compact design makes installation easier and more versatile, whether mounted on a roof, pole, or even integrated with a pipe adapter. An integrated LED light aids setup in low-light conditions.

Power efficiency sees major gains too. The V5 draws only 35-50W, reducing energy consumption and making it ideal for off-grid or solar-powered setups. Despite its smaller size, performance remains robust. Starlink claims peak speeds of 375+ Mbps, supported by a new Wi-Fi 6 Router Mini that covers up to 2,200 square feet and connects up to 235 devices simultaneously.

The kit maintains strong signal reliability in diverse environments, from urban rooftops to remote rural areas, as demonstrated in the promo footage released by SpaceX, showing seamless operation under cloudy skies.

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These improvements expand suitable applications considerably. Households can enjoy lag-free 4K streaming, smooth video conferencing, online gaming, and smart home device management without interruption. The V5’s efficiency and portability also benefit RVs, small businesses, and temporary installations in disaster-recovery zones where quick deployment is critical. Its lightweight build lowers shipping costs and simplifies user handling compared to bulkier predecessors.

Starlink’s Broader Impact on Global Internet Connectivity

Since SpaceX began launching Starlink satellites in 2019, the constellation has grown rapidly. By mid-2026, over 10,400 satellites orbit Earth, with thousands more deployed annually. This massive low-Earth-orbit network delivers broadband to approximately 160 countries and territories, reaching millions of users who previously lacked reliable internet access.

Starlink plays a vital role in bridging the digital divide. It provides essential connectivity to remote communities, maritime vessels, airlines, and regions affected by natural disasters or infrastructure gaps. By combining advanced satellite technology with iterative hardware upgrades like the V5 kit, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of global internet access, fostering education, economic opportunity, and emergency response capabilities worldwide.

As production ramps up, the V5 promises to make high-performance internet even more accessible to users everywhere.

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