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Teslaccessories prize infographic shows Tesla Motors tremendous growth

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It’s difficult to refer to Tesla Motors as the small Californian startup these days. In a few years, the company has grown exponentially, challenging more industries than the biggest startup success stories in decades. An infographic from EVannex shows us Tesla’s progression in the midst of an automotive industry caught daydreaming, an energy sector happy with business as usual, and other far reaching consequences for many unsuspecting industries.

Where were you when you came on-board?

Matthew Pressman at EVannex asks this simple question, when did you come on-board the Tesla’s meteorite ascension to success? Was it in 2003 when Elon Musk and Martin Eberhard thought how cool a little electric performance car would be, or when the Roadster was publicly displayed in 2007? How about when the battery swapping event was held last year, putting to shame the amount of time it took an Audi sedan to fill its gasoline tank, or is it this week as the company celebrates its 100th Supercharger?

Tesla Infographic

Tesla Infographic

I came on-board when Chelsea Sexton was showing Elon Musk’s Roadster in 2007. However, I missed the opportunity to buy one and bitterly regret it to this day. I’ve always loved performance, but two things she said would forever change my life. She told me she changed the tires on her EV1 every 5,000 miles and that no BMW could keep up with her at a red light. Being an avid Alfa Romeo fan, those words resonated far within. I was intrigued and my suspicions were confirmed the day I drove an AC Propulsion eBox and finally, the crème de la crème, my friend’s Tesla Roadster. I was hooked instantaneously. The electric motor made 100% sense in a car or motorcycle. In fact, I was sad getting back into my beloved Alfa Romeo Spider, feeling the harsh limitations of engines and gearboxes matching.

I’ve written about Tesla ever since, watching its every move, trying to figure out the consequences for many industries caught in bottom line profits and courting Wall Street investors with short sight visions. Since then, Tesla has shown it has the right vision. Musk has surrounded himself with the right people and the company today shows how most company be run, with far reaching vision and not simply bottom line profits as their number one preoccupation.

EVannex, Tesla accessories and the prize

Who is EVannex? EVannex offers a great line of accessories for your Tesla lifestyle. Ranging from elegant center console inserts, to redesigned cupholders, to wheels and more, the company offers great complements to an already great car. The company stands out in many ways, as it offers very nice additions without going overboard into bling-bling land. Often times, tuners and accessory makers cross the fine line between enhancing and completely losing the original feel of the car. EVannex doesn’t. They keep the Tesla Model S’ feel and add a touch of je ne sais quoi.

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Evanex, the folks behind this cool infographic are throwing in a contest I invite you to join. Find out more on their Facebook page.

You can tag yourself on the time line, showing when you bought your first Tesla. This will give you a chance to win an EVannex prize pack, either a Driving the Future Sculpture or the Owning Model S Book.

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Tesla skeptics will hate what this new reliability study says

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Credit: Tesla

In a notable shift for electric vehicle perceptions, Tesla has emerged as a standout performer in the latest iSeeCars longevity study, which analyzed over 174 million used vehicles.

The data reveals that Tesla models have a 4.6 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles, matching the industry average of 4.8 percent and tying for sixth place among 32 brands. This positions Tesla ahead of many established names, including Subaru (2.3 percent, roughly half of Tesla’s rate), Nissan (2.4 percent), Mazda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

Toyota leads with an impressive 17.8 percent likelihood, followed by Lexus (12.8 percent), Honda, and Acura. Yet Tesla’s result stands out for a relatively young EV brand. Experts attribute this to the inherent simplicity of electric powertrains: fewer moving parts mean no oil changes, timing belts, or complex engine components that typically fail in internal combustion vehicles.

Fewer things to maintain means fewer things to break, and ultimately, fewer things to go wrong.

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This design advantage helps Teslas defy unfounded skepticism about battery longevity and overall durability, two things that have plagued the company from outsider perspectives without much proof.

The iSeeCars reliability ratings further bolster Tesla’s case. The Tesla Model S earns a strong 7.9/10 reliability score, ranking No. 1 out of 35 most reliable electric cars. It boasts a predicted average lifespan of about 154,419 miles (around 16.9 years) and a 21.9 percent chance of hitting 200,000 miles.

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Tesla, as an electric car brand, also scores 7.9/10 overall, securing the top spot among electric vehicle manufacturers in several luxury and segment categories.

Real-world examples reinforce the data. High-mileage Teslas, including Model S vehicles exceeding one million miles, demonstrate that EVs can endure when properly maintained. Owners report minimal mechanical issues beyond typical wear items like tires and brakes, which regenerative braking often extends.

Tesla Model 3 hits quarter million miles with original battery and motor

This performance challenges narratives around EV reliability, especially amid mixed reports from other sources like Consumer Reports or regional inspections. iSeeCars‘ massive dataset emphasizes long-term durability over short-term defect rates, painting Tesla as a leader in sustainable, high-mileage ownership.

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For buyers prioritizing longevity and low maintenance, Tesla’s results signal strong value. While no brand is flawless, factors like driving habits, climate, and software updates matter—the numbers suggest Tesla belongs among the elite for those seeking vehicles built to last.

As EV adoption grows, this iSeeCars data underscores Tesla’s engineering edge in creating enduring, future-proof automobiles.

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Tesla owner fixes common feature complaint with crafty DIY retrofit

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Credit: @mikegapinski

Tesla owners have long griped about the wireless phone charger in the Model Y and other vehicles. It often turns smartphones into miniature ovens rather than reliably topping them up.

Software engineer and Model Y owner Michał Gapiński tackled this issue head-on with a clever DIY upgrade, swapping the cooled wireless charger pad from the China-made Model YL in for the one that came standard in his vehicle.

There are several key differences between the U.S.-built Model Y’s wireless charging pad and the one that Tesla has been installing in the Model YL. The one installed in U.S.-built vehicles lacks active cooling and relies on basic heat dissipation, leading to rapid temperature buildup during charging. In contrast, the Model YL integrates a small fan for active cooling.

This design maintains lower temperatures even in warm ambient conditions, though it does not support faster Qi2 charging on iPhones. The connector matches exactly, making physical swaps feasible on compatible consoles, but coding is required to enable full functionality.

Owners in the U.S. have complained about the wireless charging pad, with many reporting that overheating is fairly common. Within 20 or 30 minutes of placing a phone on the wireless charging pad, many have reported overheating messages on their phones, which halt charging and essentially turn the pad into a fancy place to rest your phone.

Many owners have opted to simply plug their phones into a charging cord. Tesla has acknowledged the problem by releasing several solutions for owners, including a relatively new feature that allows you to simply turn off the charging and simply act as a holder for your phone while driving.

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Gapiński said that he sourced the cooled pad affordably from China, and it cost under $200 for the part.

He removed the existing console charger, swapped in the new unit, confirming a perfect connector fit, and handled the trim differences. Since the parameter isn’t fully secured, he enabled it through custom coding outside official Toolbox.

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The fan activates quietly, blending with AC and seat cooling. He reported the installation was effective and the wireless charging pad worked perfectly; it even kept the phone cool as it stayed at just 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Many times, the wireless charging pad will bring the phone’s temperature well above 100 degrees, sometimes even being relatively hot to the touch.

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This retrofit highlighted an elegant, owner-driven solution to a factory shortcoming. It is expected that Tesla will begin installing the cooled charging pads into new cars in the U.S. soon, and hopefully, it will offer some sort of retrofit service or kit to owners here who want to use the charging pad effectively.

For those who love to tinker, it’s an accessible upgrade, proving that innovation thrives beyond the production line.

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Tesla exec says Roadster unveil is soon — for real this time

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(Credit: teslaindiafansclub/Instagram)

The Tesla Roadster unveiling could be coming “in a few weeks,” according to the company’s Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen, who said at the Tesla Takeover Europe Event in Austria that the all-electric hypercar could finally make its way to the production line after years of anticipation.

Von Holzhausen delivered the news just days after The Information reported that Tesla planned to push the Roadster unveiling to August. It was slated for both April and May of this year, but now it seems the company is leaning toward a late Summer event to cap off the heat with perhaps its most anticipated vehicle of all-time.

Franz has been with Tesla since 2008, and has played a pivotal role in the iconic design language the company has utilized with its vehicles. Speaking to the crowd in Austria virtually, von Holzhausen’s comments injected fresh excitement into a project that has been plagued by delays for nine years.

The second-generation Roadster promises to redefine supercar standards. Tesla’s website still highlights ambitious targets: 0-60 mph in under 1.9 seconds (with optional SpaceX thruster pack potentially achieving 1.1 seconds or less), a top speed exceeding 250 mph, and a range of about 620 miles.

Equipped with a tri-motor all-wheel-drive setup delivering over 1,000 horsepower, the four-seater aims to blend blistering acceleration, everyday usability, and innovative features like cold gas thrusters for short-hop capabilities, technology that will combine the project with SpaceX.

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But years after the company promised to start production, which was slated for 2020, the timeline for the Roadster has continued to shift.

Tesla has strung along those who have put $50,000 deposits down, as well as fans and enthusiasts of the company who have been long awaiting the company to bring forth a car truly designed for the human driver, and not autonomy. The Roadster is more than just a halo vehicle for Tesla; it showcases the company’s ability to push the boundaries while incorporating synergies from other Musk companies.

However, it has to make it to production, which is something Musk and Co. have pushed back repeatedly.

As Tesla navigates Robotaxi development and broader autonomy goals, the Roadster serves as a reminder of its performance roots. If von Holzhausen’s timeline holds, fans could witness this engineering marvel by late June or early July 2026. Whether a full unveiling, demo, or initial deliveries, it marks a milestone for electric supercars.

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