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Tesla urged by German Minister to unlock Supercharging for all EVs

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Tesla is being urged by German Federal Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer to unlock the company’s Superchargers for all electric vehicles, regardless of manufacturer. The move would give every EV on the road access to the broadest, well-rounded, and most efficient EV charging network in the world.

Tesla’s Supercharging network is among the most robust and complete in the world. With over 25,000 global Superchargers that give charging speeds as fast as 250 kW to Tesla’s industry-leading EVs, the company has established itself as the most well-rounded in terms of the product and the charging mechanisms that it provides.

The Superchargers are only compatible with Tesla vehicles currently, basically giving owners an extra incentive to buy one of the company’s vehicles instead of a competitor. When buying a Tesla, you won’t only get the best car in terms of performance, range, and efficiency, but you will also have access to the widest selection of Superchargers in the world.

Tesla’s North American Supercharging locations. (Credit: Tesla)

However, some are critical of the idea that Tesla keeps these chargers exclusive to their owners. While it gives Tesla a competitive advantage over other EV manufacturers, it limits the options for other cars. Some see it as a financial disadvantage for Tesla as it could make the company more money when vehicles made by other OEMs choose to get more range at a Tesla Supercharger.

Scheuer, who has held the Office of Federal Minister of Transport since 2018, said that he believes the company should open up its Superchargers to other cars, a move that could accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles everywhere.

In a recent interview with German media outlet Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, Scheuer said (via ecomento.de):

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“I am in direct contact with manufacturers like Tesla to ensure that the existing infrastructure, for example, Tesla Supercharger, is also opened for other manufacturers.”

Scheuer said there are still technical concerns that need to be answered, such as how the drivers will pay for the system. He suggested a uniform Smartphone application that will work universally with EV chargers from all manufacturers. Whichever way it works out, he said he expects a solution to be found.

The electric vehicle industry has come a long way in the past several years, according to Scheuer. When discussing the overall e-mobility package, including the vehicle, the charging infrastructure, the network, and users, he said that it has become better over the past few years. Scheuer added:

“There is still a long way to go so that not every electric car trip becomes an adventure, but a new normal. That is the goal. And we’re getting closer to that with great strides.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has talked about opening up universal usage of Tesla Superchargers on several occasions in the past. The latest comment Musk made on the subject was in December 2020, when he said:

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Some electric cars were already using Tesla Superchargers in September 2020, but a bug was the reason for the loophole, and Tesla quickly fixed it.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Shareholder group urges Nasdaq probe into Elon Musk’s Tesla 2025 CEO Interim Award

The SOC Investment Group represents pension funds tied to more than two million union members, many of whom hold shares in TSLA.

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Credit: xAI/X

An investment group is urging Nasdaq to investigate Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) over its recent $29 billion equity award for CEO Elon Musk. 

The SOC Investment Group, which represents pension funds tied to more than two million union members—many of whom hold shares in TSLA—sent a letter to the exchange citing “serious concerns” that the package sidestepped shareholder approval and violated compensation rules.

Concerns over Tesla’s 2025 CEO Interim Award

In its August 19 letter to Nasdaq enforcement chief Erik Wittman, SOC alleged that Tesla’s board improperly granted Musk a “2025 CEO Interim Award” under the company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. That plan, the group noted, explicitly excluded Musk when it was approved by shareholders. SOC argued that the new equity grant effectively expanded the plan to cover Musk, a material change that should have required a shareholder vote under Nasdaq rules.

The $29 billion package was designed to replace Musk’s overturned $56 billion award from 2018, which the Delaware Chancery Court struck down, prompting Tesla to file an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court. The interim award contains restrictions: Musk must remain in a leadership role until August 2027, and vested shares cannot be sold until 2030, as per a Yahoo Finance report.

Even so, critics such as SOC have argued that the plan does not have of performance targets, calling it a “fog-the-mirror” award. This means that “If you’re around and have enough breath left in you to fog the mirror, you get them,” stated Brian Dunn, the director of the Institute for Comprehension Studies at Cornell University.

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SOC’s Tesla concerns beyond Elon Musk

SOC’s concerns extend beyond the mechanics of Musk’s pay. The group has long questioned the independence of Tesla’s board, opposing the reelection of directors such as Kimbal Musk and James Murdoch. It has also urged regulators to review Tesla’s governance practices, including past proposals to shrink the board. 

SOC has also joined initiatives calling for Tesla to adopt comprehensive labor rights policies, including noninterference with worker organizing and compliance with global labor standards. The investment group has also been involved in webinars and resolutions highlighting the risks related to Tesla’s approach to unions, as well as labor issues across several countries.

Tesla has not yet publicly responded to SOC’s latest letter, nor to requests for comment.

The SOC’s letter can be viewed below.

Nasdaq+Letter Tsla Socig Final by Simon Alvarez

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Tesla Model Y L has two distinct features for luxurious comfort

This is not to say the other interior additions are not factors in the Model Y becoming a more luxurious and premium vehicle, but the two mentioned in this article are particularly pertinent in that conversation.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla’s new Model Y L has two distinct features that are geared toward giving occupants a taste of luxury with guaranteed comfort.

These two features should definitely be part of the company’s future lineup, and they could prove to be massive upgrades to the Model Y’s interior, which is certainly premium but is missing some things that truly tailor to a “luxury” feel of an automobile.

This is not to say the other interior additions are not factors in the Model Y becoming a more luxurious and premium vehicle, but the two mentioned in this article are particularly pertinent in that conversation.

Tesla Model Y L might not come to the U.S., and it’s a missed opportunity

Power-Adjustable Thigh Supports

In the front seats of the Model Y L, there are power-adjustable thigh supports that will enable some additional comfort on the legs:

Most might think that these thigh supports are simply a feature that makes the ride more comfortable, which is true. However, they have benefits for the ride and after you exit the car.

Providing proper lift on the legs and thighs can be beneficial for people with back problems or posture issues. The lower back takes an increased amount of stress during long car rides, especially as the legs are fixed in the chosen seating position.

Tesla Model Y L officially launched: price, features, and more

Adding some support to the thighs can help reduce pressure on the lower back and hips, and distribute weight more evenly, taking stress off pressure points.

It can also contribute to better spinal alignment. They also have safety benefits, as some riders could have an improved seatbelt position thanks to the thighs being in this position.

Second-Row Mechanical Armrest

Tesla also added mechanical, one-touch armrests to the Model Y L’s second row, a nice and premium touch for the riders in the middle of the vehicle:

Add the additional space the Model Y L provides to riders, and it already gets more comfortable. However, the addition of the mechanical armrests gives a good option of comfort for those who are seated in the second row.

They can also be retracted with the touch of a button, allowing for those in the third row to exit the vehicle easily.

One con to the mechanical portion of these armrests is that it is another moving part, and, of course, that puts it at risk of having issues.

However, it is certainly more premium than a manual armrest, and the flashy carbuyers will appreciate this small but mighty addition.

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Tesla’s NHTSA probe is already on its way to being resolved

The problem the NHTSA had with Tesla’s reporting is already on its way to being resolved, as the agency and the company have been in communication.

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tesla showroom
Credit: Tesla

Tesla is being probed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for not reporting accidents in a timely manner, the agency said on Thursday.

It is already well on its way to being resolved, the agency said.

The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified numerous instances in which Tesla reported crashes that “occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports.”

The Standing General Order in place by the agency requires crash reports to be submitted within five days of Tesla receiving the notice of an accident.

The investigation states Tesla submitted crashes in one of two ways:

“Many of the reports were submitted as part of a single batch, while others were submitted on a rolling basis.”

The problem the NHTSA had with Tesla’s reporting is already on its way to being resolved, as the agency and the company have been in communication.

Tesla has already been in contact with the agency’s ODI and stated that the timing of the reports was an issue with its data collection. The issue has been resolved, Tesla told them.

The NHTSA said the initiation of the probe against Tesla is a “standard process for reviewing compliance with legal requirements, to evaluate the cause of potential delays in reporting, the scope of any such delays, and the mitigations that Tesla has developed to address them.”

It is the latest NHTSA probe into Tesla, as it has also been investigating the company for accidents during Full Self-Driving operation in reduced visibility conditions.

The agency also sought information on the rollout of Robotaxi a few months ago, and how Tesla planned to handle low-visibility conditions in its driverless ride-hailing service.

The NHTSA was interested in knowing how Tesla planned to assess the ability of FSD’s engineering controls, whether any other similar FSD crashes had occurred in low visibility, and if modifications to FSD software would impact its performance in these conditions.

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