Connect with us

News

Xpeng CEO admits they will pay attention to Tesla’s “Battery Day”

Credit: Xpeng Motors

Published

on

Tesla’s Battery Day will have the attention of many electric vehicle enthusiasts on September 22nd when it unveils unknown details regarding its cell strategy. However, more than just fans of the biggest electric automaker in the world will be watching what Tesla does that day because the company’s competitors will also be watching closely.

Xpeng, a China-based car company, will be paying close attention to Tesla’s event, Vice Chairman and President Brian Gu said. Not only is Xpeng interested in Tesla’s possible unveiling of a million-mile battery pack, but it also could be looking to prepare for a partnership.

“We’re all waiting to see what Tesla is going to come out with in the battery,” Gu said to The First Trade. “So for us, obviously, we love to work with the best-in-class technology by the manufacturers. If there is a technology that provides safer, cost-efficient, and better cells, we would love to work with them.”

The anticipation behind Battery Day has been evident for members of the electric vehicle community, and Tesla supporters in general. CEO Elon Musk is expected to reveal Tesla’s battery strategy, and he could unveil some other surprises that would revolutionize the way the company utilizes cells to power its vehicles.

The developments could lead to more than just an advantage for Tesla in terms of technology and the price of its vehicles. If the company can manage to solve the riddle that is large-scale battery cell production, there is a possibility that Tesla could become a distributor or supplier of cells for other electric carmakers.

Xpeng sees this is an opportunity to work with the industry leader, which could revolutionize the way its products function. Gu, however, sees Battery Day as an opportunity to drive industry growth.

“I think we would look forward to seeing the rapid development which will drive the growth of the overall industry,” he said.

Battery Day’s anticipation has been a factor in Tesla’s stock surge over the past few months. Analysts who are responsible for breaking down the company’s potential in the future and placing price targets on the company’s stock note that Battery Day is a potential catalyst for more growth for Tesla.

Dan Ives of Wedbush stated in a note to investors that the anticipated releases at Battery Day “will be very advanced, potentially last for decades, withstand all types of weather/terrain, and be another major milestone for the Tesla ecosystem.”

But the longevity of the cell that Tesla could unveil will revolutionize the way the company operates as a whole. “In theory, this battery will support an electric vehicle for 1 million miles and be a major step forward when competing vs. traditional gasoline-powered automotive competitors from both an ROI and environmental perspective,” Ives said, according to Yahoo Finance.

Advertisement

Xpeng is officially a public stock as of Thursday, August 27th. The company’s IPO managed to raise $1.5 billion, and the company plans to unveil a third model, which will follow its already released P7 sedan and G3 SUV, in 2021.

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

Advertisement
Comments

News

Tesla rolls out new Supercharging safety feature in the U.S.

Published

on

tesla's nacs charging connector
Credit: Tesla

Tesla has rolled out a new Supercharging safety feature in the United States, one that will answer concerns that some owners may have if they need to leave in a pinch.

It is also a suitable alternative for non-Tesla chargers, like third-party options that feature J1772 or CCS to NACS adapters.

The feature has been available in Europe for some time, but it is now rolling out to Model 3 and Model Y owners in the U.S.

With Software Update 2026.2.3, Tesla is launching the Unlatching Charge Cable function, which will now utilize the left rear door handle to release the charging cable from the port. The release notes state:

“Charging can now be stopped and the charge cable released by pulling and holding the rear left door handle for three seconds, provided the vehicle is unlocked, and a recognized key is nearby. This is especially useful when the charge cable doesn’t have an unlatch button. You can still release the cable using the vehicle touchscreen or the Tesla app.”

The feature was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.

This is an especially nice feature for those who commonly charge at third-party locations that utilize plugs that are not NACS, which is the Tesla standard.

For example, after plugging into a J1772 charger, you will still be required to unlock the port through the touchscreen, which is a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

Additionally, it could be viewed as a safety feature, especially if you’re in need of unlocking the charger from your car in a pinch. Simply holding open the handle on the rear driver’s door will now unhatch the port from the car, allowing you to pull it out and place it back in its housing.

This feature is currently only available on the Model 3 and Model Y, so Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck owners will have to wait for a different solution to this particular feature.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

LG Energy Solution pursuing battery deal for Tesla Optimus, other humanoid robots: report

Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla Optimus/X

A recent report has suggested that LG Energy Solution is in discussions to supply batteries for Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot.

Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.

Humanoid robot battery deals

LG Energy Solution shares jumped more than 11% on the 28th after a report from the Korea Economic Daily claimed that the company is pursuing battery supply and joint development agreements with several humanoid robot makers. These reportedly include Tesla, which is developing Optimus, as well as multiple Chinese robotics companies.

China is already home to several leading battery manufacturers, such as CATL and BYD, making the robot makers’ reported interest in LG Energy Solution quite interesting. Market participants interpreted the reported outreach as a signal that performance requirements for humanoid robots may favor battery chemistries developed by companies like LG.

LF Energy Solution vs rivals

According to the report, energy density is believed to be the primary reason humanoid robot developers are evaluating LG Energy Solution’s batteries. Unlike electric vehicles, humanoid robots have significantly less space available for battery packs while requiring substantial power to operate dozens of joint motors and onboard artificial intelligence processors.

LG Energy Solution’s ternary lithium batteries offer higher energy density compared with rivals’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are widely used by Chinese EV manufacturers. That advantage could prove critical for humanoid robots, where runtime, weight, and compact packaging are key design constraints.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla receives approval for FSD Supervised tests in Sweden

Tesla confirmed that it has been granted permission to test FSD Supervised vehicles across Sweden in a press release.

Published

on

Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla has received regulatory approval to begin tests of its Full Self-Driving Supervised system on public roads in Sweden, a notable step in the company’s efforts to secure FSD approval for the wider European market. 

FSD Supervised testing in Sweden

Tesla confirmed that it has been granted permission to test FSD Supervised vehicles across Sweden following cooperation with national authorities and local municipalities. The approval covers the Swedish Transport Administration’s entire road network, as well as urban and highways in the Municipality of Nacka.

Tesla shared some insights into its recent FSD approvals in a press release. “The approval shows that cooperation between authorities, municipalities and businesses enables technological leaps and Nacka Municipality is the first to become part of the transport system of the future. The fact that the driving of the future is also being tested on Swedish roads is an important step in the development towards autonomy in real everyday traffic,” the company noted. 

With approval secured for FSD tests, Tesla can now evaluate the system’s performance in diverse environments, including dense urban areas and high-speed roadways across Sweden, as noted in a report from Allt Om Elbil. Tesla highlighted that the continued development of advanced driver assistance systems is expected to pave the way for improved traffic safety, increased accessibility, and lower emissions, particularly in populated city centers.

Tesla FSD Supervised Europe rollout

FSD Supervised is already available to drivers in several global markets, including Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States. The system is capable of handling city and highway driving tasks such as steering, acceleration, braking, and lane changes, though it still requires drivers to supervise the vehicle’s operations.

Tesla has stated that FSD Supervised has accumulated extensive driving data from its existing markets. In Europe, however, deployment remains subject to regulatory approval, with Tesla currently awaiting clearance from relevant authorities.

The company reiterated that it expects to start rolling out FSD Supervised to European customers in early 2026, pending approvals. It would then be unsurprising if the company secures approvals for FSD tests in other European territories in the coming months. 

Continue Reading