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Third-Generation Tesla ‘Model E’ Will Utilize Steel Construction
Tesla Motors has released some information on what the third-generation Tesla ‘Model E’ may be like. It’s a safe bet to say that the lower priced Tesla will be tuned down, aesthetically and technologically, and rival premium entry level EVs from BMW and Audi.
Updated July 1, 2014: Tesla Model E Becomes Tesla Model 3
A tuned down Tesla Model S
Chris Porritt, vice-president of engineering at Tesla Motors has hinted that their anticpated 2016 mid-size electric car would not sport the stunning aluminum chassis the Model S and X use. According to Porritt, the third-generation Tesla will use “appropriate materials” which means heavier metals will be sneaking in. Still, Elon Musk said the new Model E will be around 20 per cent smaller than today’s Model S, and to a certain extent, we can assume lighter. In fact, Porritt expects little will be carried over from the Model S platform. Tesla needs to be cost-effective if it is to make the Model E a resounding success. We can expect steel, metal bonding and riveting, instead of the beautiful aluminum welding job on the Model S.
Image source: cgtrader.com
Porritt did drop another hint as to the Tesla strategy: “If you get the car right, it doesn’t matter that it’s electric,” This point has already been made with the incredible success of the Model S, chosen by dozens of reputed car magazines as one of the all-time greatest cars ever made. The Model S out sells any other car in its price category.
As far as styling, we can deduce that the Model E won’t be as striking as the Model S. This will be probably due to keep it affordable and cost effective. He was quoted saying: “People don’t want to look eccentric. [referring to the Nissan LEAF] They want to have pride in their car’s looks. Our biggest advocates are our [existing] customers,”. This is an interesting change of direction for a company that brought us a stunning luxury electric sedan that will now have to cross a soon-to-be crowded frontier. The question is, how will Tesla differentiate itself from other carmakers here?
Price matters
Lastly, the price is the single most intriguing point. How much will the Model E cost? So far, Tesla promises it will rival a BMW 3-series and Audi A4, which are currently priced at $33,000 for the BMW and roughly $34,000 for the Audi.
Tesla has to meet difficult targets with the Model E. It needs to show that it will deliver on something it promised since day one, an affordable, mass-produced EV at around $35,000. It will also need to have sufficient range, at least 200 miles and be aesthetically appealing in order to not alienate buyers. If Tesla Motors meets all three of these criteria, while being cost effective, it will once again prove mainstream carmakers can do better.
Source: Autocar
Tesla has launched a new Model Y configuration in the “Premium” trim, and it comes with three highly requested features that have launched in markets outside of the U.S. and in other trims.
Tesla announced on Monday night that it has officially launched the Model Y Premium in a seven-seat configuration, which also comes standard with a 16″ touchscreen and black headliner, both of which are featured in the Model Y Performance trim.
The seven-seat configuration is highly requested by consumers and helps fill out the more spacious SUV offering that the lineup has missed outside of the Model X, which prices out many consumers. This new upgrade only costs $2,500 extra for all three features, bringing the cash price to $48,990.
This also comes with the larger 16” touchscreen! pic.twitter.com/aiAxWUTKZa
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 13, 2026
The move to add the seven-seat configuration with the black headliner and additional screen size is a welcome addition, as many Tesla fans have asked the company to come out with an SUV with more seating capacity. Although it is not a full-size SUV, the additional seating will certainly attract some buyers with bigger families.
It appears the third row is slightly more spacious than the past iteration of the seven-seat Model Y, which was available in the previous design pre-Juniper:
Credit: Tesla
However, it definitely still appears to be pretty cramped in terms of legroom. It will definitely be a seating arrangement for smaller passengers, mostly reserved for children.
The other two upgrades are the black headliner, which was launched in other markets and in the Model Y Performance. Many owners have wanted this change, and Tesla listened, but is only offering it with the seven-seat configuration. It also has a larger 16″ touchscreen, also present in the Model Y Performance exclusively:
Credit: Tesla
It is a nice touch to add these highly requested features to the all-electric crossover, which was the best-selling vehicle in the world for the third consecutive year.
Tesla has expanded its branded ‘For Business’ Supercharger program that it launched last year, as yet another company is using the platform to attract EV owners to its business and utilize a unique advertising opportunity.
Francis Energy of Oklahoma is launching four Superchargers in Norman, where the University of Oklahoma is located. The Superchargers, which are fitted with branding for Francis Energy, will officially open tomorrow.
It will not be the final Supercharger location that Francis Energy plans to open, the company confirmed to EVWire.
Back in early September, Tesla launched the new “Supercharger for Business” program in an effort to give businesses the ability to offer EV charging at custom rates. It would give their businesses visibility and would also cater to employees or customers.
“Purchase and install Superchargers at your business,” Tesla wrote on a page on its website for the new program. “Superchargers are compatible with all electric vehicles, bringing EV drivers to your business by offering convenient, reliable charging.”
The first site opened in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, which is Northeast of Tampa, as a company called Suncoast launched the Superchargers for local EV owners.
Tesla launches its new branded Supercharger for Business with first active station
The program also does a great job at expanding infrastructure for EV owners, which is something that needs to be done to encourage more people to purchase Teslas and other electric cars.
Francis Energy operates at least 14 EV charging locations in Oklahoma, spanning from Durant to Oklahoma City and nearly everywhere in between. Filings from the company, listed by Supercharge.info, show the company’s plans to convert some of them to Tesla Superchargers, potentially utilizing the new Supercharger for Business program to advertise.
Moving forward, more companies will likely utilize Tesla’s Supercharger for Business program as it presents major advantages in a variety of ways, especially with advertising and creating a place for EV drivers to gain range in their cars.
Tesla Cybercab is perhaps the most highly-anticipated project that the company plans to roll out this year, and as it is undergoing its testing phase in pre-production currently, there are some things to work through with it.
Over the weekend, an image of the Cybercab being loaded onto a tow truck started circulating on the internet, and people began to speculate as to what the issue could be.
Hmmmmmm… https://t.co/L5hWcOXQkb pic.twitter.com/OJBDyHNTMj
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 11, 2026
The Cybercab can clearly be seen with a Police Officer and perhaps the tow truck driver by its side, being loaded onto, or even potentially unloaded from, the truck.
However, it seems unlikely it was being offloaded, as its operation would get it to this point for testing to begin with.
It appears, at first glance, that it needs assistance getting back to wherever it came from; likely Gigafactory Texas or potentially a Bay Area facility.
The Cybercab was also spotted in Buffalo, New York, last week, potentially undergoing cold-weather testing, but it doesn’t appear that’s where this incident took place.
It is important to remember that the Cybercab is currently undergoing some rigorous testing scenarios, which include range tests and routine public road operation. These things help Tesla assess any potential issue the vehicle could run into after it starts routine production and heads to customers, or for the Robotaxi platform operation.
This is not a one-off issue, either. Tesla had some instances with the Semi where it was seen broken down on the side of a highway three years ago. The all-electric Semi has gone on to be successful in its early pilot program, as companies like Frito-Lay and PepsiCo. have had very positive remarks.
The Cybercab’s future is bright, and it is important to note that no vehicle model has ever gone its full life without a breakdown. It happens, it’s a car.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that there has been no official word on what happened with this particular Cybercab unit, but it is crucial to remember that this is the pre-production testing phase, and these things are more constructive than anything.
Tesla Model Y gets fresh configuration with three highly requested features
Tesla expands its branded ‘For Business’ Superchargers
