Electric Vehicles

In the United States, around $18 billion worth of recreational vehicles are sold in any given year. A fifth of that are trailers. With the growing popularity of Tesla’s electric cars, many people are wondering if these vehicles, which are designed to travel light and rely on batteries, can tow trailers. A Tesla Model X can tow trailers. This Tesla car can easily tow trailers up to 5,000 pounds (2,267 kilograms) in weight. The tow package was made standard some time in 2018. When ordering a brand new Tesla Model Y, a tow package can be added for $1,000. The Model Y has a towing capacity up to 3,500 pounds (1,587 kilograms). If you’ve considered buying a Tesla car, but wondered if it can tow your trailers, then this guide could provide much-needed answers.. Your next trailer-towing vehicle could be an electric-powered Tesla. Tesla Factory Tow Packages and Specs The Model X currently comes standard with the tow package. The Model Y has an optional tow package. In Europe, the Model 3 also has an optional tow package. There are also aftermarket options. Additional Energy Use Among the different vehicle types, electric vehicles (EVs) are probably the most limited when it comes to towing. One of the biggest limiting factors is the energy required. Towing a trailer will use a substantial amount of additional energy, drastically reducing your battery’s range. Long distant towing will require a lot more stops to charge. Range Anxiety Towing requires more power because of the additional work your electric car does. As such, towing puts a strain on your batteries, and will almost certainly shorten the driving range you get on your electric vehicle. This is similar on an internal combustion engine vehicle. You’ll get less mileage when towing, but it can be magnified on an electric vehicle. Most consumers tend to prefer electric cars that can deliver the most range, allowing them to drive longer on a single full charge. Show them an electric vehicle with a shorter range, and not only do people refrain from buying the car, but those who own them also tend to give a low satisfaction rating. With the shorter range, especially while towing, it’s easy to scare off potential buyers. Especially if they plan on doing a lot of towing with the vehicle. Tesla Model 3 Towing Other Electric Car Models Can Be Used for Towing There are quite a few choices if you want to buy an electric vehicle that can also tow a trailer. Some of the most popular include: Audi e-Tron Mercedes EQC Jaguar I-Pace Rivian R1T While basic towing capability is a plus, it’s important that your car can tow something on the heavier side; for example, a tow trailer.  Tesla Cars Can Tow Trailers The Tesla Model X SUV has enough room for seven seats and a range of 340 miles (547 kilometers). This SUV goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 97 kilometers per hour) in just 2.5 seconds with a peak power of 1,020 horsepower. Tesla states that the Model X can handle up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms). The Tesla Model X even comes with its own tow bar that you can hide away when you’re not using it. Trailer Mode Connecting a trailer to your Model X will trigger Trailer Mode to activate when the wiring harness is connected. When this happens, your vehicle’s: Rear parking sensors, auto park, and autosteer are disabled. Location-based and automatic height adjustments are disabled. Autopilot steering will not work. The AEB brake force is significantly decreased. Power Concerns Range is one of the major concerns people have about electric cars. Towing a trailer or camper uses up a lot energy than a regular drive or joyride. But how does the Tesla Model X address these issues? The long-range versions of Tesla’s models have an estimated range of: Model 3: 353 miles (568 kilometers) Model S: 412 miles (663 kilometers) Model Y: 326 miles (525 kilometers) Model X: 360 miles (579 kilometers) These estimates show that the Model X has the second longest range in Tesla’s current lineup. Its range is only beaten by the smaller Model S, which only has five seats and 28 cubic feet (0.8 cubic meters) of cargo capacity, as opposed to the Model X’s seven-seat and 88 cubic feet (2.5 cubic meters) capacity. However, towing with your Tesla Model X will mean a much shorter range. The reduction in how far you can go on a single charge can differ depending on how heavy the trailer is, as well as the added weight of everything inside the trailer. The range will also be shortened depending on the kind of terrain you’re driving on. Should You Use the Tesla Model X for Towing? Sure, the Tesla Model X can tow a trailer. But it might not be an excellent idea to buy a Tesla if your main purpose is to tow a trailer.  Tesla Model X loses a significant amount of driving range when it’s towing. A real-world test conducted by Australia’s Car Guide shows that towing halves the Tesla Model X’s driving range. Driving on its own, it will use up to 21.4 kilowatt-hours for every 100 kilometers (62 miles).  But towing a 1,746-kilogram (3,850 pounds) trailer, it needed 48.1 kilowatt-hours to travel the same distance, almost doubling the amount of charge required. Road conditions can affect towing performance, and you’ll spend more fuel when towing, even if you use something with a combustion engine.  Car Guide brought a Landcruiser VX along for the ride, and with the trailer attached, it needed only 10.35 liters (2.7 gallons) of gas for every 100 kilometers (62 miles). It then required 17.2 liters (4.5 gallons) to cover the same distance with a caravan attached to it. That’s only a 66 percent increase, compared to the 112 percent raise for Tesla. A Word of Caution: Towing = Longer Charging Time One of the things that one should consider when

A frequent question perspective buyers (and owners) likely have around electric vehicle ownership is what happens if your vehicle runs out of charge. Clearly it’s best not to allow your Tesla to run out of charge, but in the real world it can happen. Essentially, you’ll need to have the vehicle towed to somewhere it can be charged, preferably a Tesla Supercharger for fastest charging possible or to your intended destination (assuming you don’t need it charged faster at that location). Perhaps in the future we’ll have more vehicle to vehicle charging options. There are some mobile charging companies popping up, but they’re not as widespread with service and charging times can be much slower. For the first time in 6 years of electric vehicle ownership, I got down to a displayed 0% charge on a vehicle – our Tesla Model X. Read along as I detail how I misjudged the amount of energy I would need for a towing trip I made a handful of times previous. Big Factors that Affect Your Range This was a trip in which I was dealing with three of the biggest energy draining variables associated with electric vehicles: Towing a trailer Uphill driving through a mountain pass Colder temperatures in the low to mid 30’s (Fahrenheit) My destination was to a cabin we recently purchased in north Central Washington and was another trip I was hauling our 6×12 enclosed cargo trailer. In fact, this was a trip I had just made a week or two prior without issue. The Trip I stopped off at Monroe, WA and Supercharged to 81% before I took off. The Tesla estimated I would reach my destination with 47% charge. I knew this wasn’t the case since I was towing a trailer and going through the mountains. It was also colder temperatures. While the vehicle does adjust expected range when towing, I’ve come to expect a fluctuation up to 30% on previous trips to to our cabin with the enclosed cargo trailer. With an expected 47% at destination, I thought for sure I’d get to the cabin with at least 17% charge or more. When I First Had Concern Traveling east of Stevens Pass is mostly a downhill descent. I noticed my estimated range at arrival started to drop substantially. I kept an eye on things and the expected percentage upon arrival continued to drop. Range Anxiety Kicks In As I’m probably less than a mile from my turn, I notice the expected range now shows I’ll reach our cabin with only 2%. At this point I’m starting to worry and punch in the next nearest Supercharger which is in Leavenworth, WA. It shows I’ll reach the Supercharger with 4%, so I figured that will give me a better buffer than trying to reach the cabin. The Supercharger was approximately 15 miles away at this point. I decide to keep the Supercharger as my new destination and slowly watch the estimated range drop to 3%, a few miles later 2%. Panic Mode Sets – Warning Message I Can’t Reach my Destination As mentioned above, I have now seen the estimated percentage drop from 4% to 2% and I’m officially going into a panic mode. I’m now considering whether or not I should detach the trailer along the highway somewhere to Supercharge and come back for it. I decide to keep going, and see the estimated range now drop down to 1%. I’m now a few miles from downtown Leavenworth and my battery has now hit 1% and it is estimating I will get to the Supercharger with 0%. As I continue traveling, I’m nearing the downtown area, but I’m getting a warning I need to charge before I can reach my destination. I keep pushing onward as there aren’t many areas to pull over to see what happens. As I hit downtown, I’m still 1.5 miles from the supercharger and there’s imminent worry I won’t make it to the charger. Trying to find a 110v plug isn’t an option I wanted to consider, so I continued on. Reaching the Supercharger with 0% Luckily, I make it into the Dan’s Food Market parking lot where the Tesla Supercharger is located. No one else is charging, so I make a wide u-turn to pull in sideways to avoid having to disconnect the trailer, still wondering if the vehicle is going to simply power off. With relatively short cables at Superchargers, pulling in sideways doesn’t always give enough reach. I literally don’t know if I’ll need to pull up a few inches further (and whether or not I’ll have charge to be able to do so). The charging cable does reach, and I begin charging and can finally take a sigh of relief. Conclusion This is certainly not a situation I want to experience again. Ironically, I already planned on this being the last trip we made to the cabin towing a trailer until the Spring a week prior. This certainly affirmed it though. Despite seeing gradual drops in range as the weather began getting colder, this was by far the most energy used on the same trip with the same trailer. It may have even been the lightest load I was carrying this time. I’ve seen videos where other owners have shown a bit of additional range despite showing 0% which is the only reason I continued driving. See the warning message later appear that I needed to stop to charge in order to reach my destination was certainly worrisome. Word of advice, even though it takes longer to charge once you hit 80% (or even 70%), sometimes those extra minutes to get additional charge may be worth it. Especially in colder environments, uphill driving, and certainly when towing a trailer. If I didn’t make it to the Supercharger (those last several miles were nerve racking), it would have been time for a call to Tesla Roadside assistance or possibly other towing services.

Tesla has long been known as the best of the best in electric car design. Their cars are stylish and come equipped with every innovation Tesla can pack into them. However, how do Tesla’s electric vehicles stack up from a practical standpoint? Does the charging length and capacity of a Tesla speak to their stellar reputation? The length of time it takes to charge a Tesla depends on three factors: the charging system, the battery capacity, and the onboard charger. While knowing the time needed for a charge is essential for planning purposes, you cannot overcharge your Tesla due to the car’s monitoring features. It is typically recommended to charge your Tesla between 50-80% charge, depending on your daily driving needs. Charging to 100% frequently can prematurely degrade your battery. With three factors impacting charging time, it is quite the math problem to figure out how long it takes to charge your Tesla, and although you cannot overcharge your Tesla, you can reduce the battery life with certain charging practices. Do not get stressed yet! We have researched for you. Keep reading for everything you need to know about charging a Tesla! The Basics of Charging a Tesla Before we can start looking at the specifics of charging a Tesla, it will be helpful to cover exactly what happens when you charge an electric vehicle. When we fuel a gasoline-powered vehicle, we think of distance in miles per gallon. This many gallons will get me this far. Electric vehicle’s fuel capacity is in kilowatts per hour (kWh). The car stores so many kWh in its battery, which you use up as you drive. The distance you can go on 1 kWh depends on the car, your driving, and the terrain. When you charge an electric vehicle, the charger ability is measured in kilowatts of energy, but the battery storage within the car is in kilowatts per hour, so what is happening? Kilowatts is the speed of energy flow, while kilowatt-hours is the amount of energy stored. A charging unit has a kilowatt rating, which tells you how fast it can transfer kW to your Tesla, while the Tesla itself has a kilowatt per hour storage, which tells you how much energy your Tesla can hold. Thus charging time is determined by how fast the energy is flowing (kW) and how energy your Tesla can hold (kWh). Sounds simple enough, right? Higher kW means faster-charging speed, and higher kWh means more time needed to fill the battery and a longer-lasting charge. Now that we understand the basic principle let’s look at the specifics that change charge time. The Onboard Charger Most electrical outlets from which we get electricity use AC (alternating current). However, batteries, such as the one in your Tesla, use DC (direct current). This means that your Tesla must have a system to convert the AC into DC that can be stored in the battery. This system is called the onboard charger. The onboard charger has its own restrictions on how fast it can convert energy. Teslas come with either an 11.5 kW (48 amp) or a 7.7kW (32 amp) onboard charger. If you plug your Tesla into an AC outlet, then, no matter what the outlet’s power, it cannot charge at a faster rate than the onboard charger will allow, 11.5kW or 7.7kW depending on the Tesla. It can, however, charge at a slower rate. The amp ratings on the onboard charger represent the max the system can handle. The kW ratings given are based on charging your Tesla with a 240V AC outlet, which is the highest AC to which you would have access. The math behind this is quite simple. kW is the product of amps and voltage divided by 1000. If you plug your Tesla into a 240V outlet and your Tesla’s onboard charger has an amperage of 32, then your kW would be 240 x 32/1000, which equals 7.68kW, which Tesla has rounded to 7.7kW. To ensure your Tesla is reaching its kW rating, you will need to ensure that the onboard charger is pulling the maximum amount of amps it can. For a 48 amp onboard charger, Tesla thus recommends a 60 amp circuit breaker, and for a 32 amp onboard charger a 48 amp circuit breaker. Levels of EV Chargers The first, and also most important, thing to consider when figuring out how long you need to charge your Tesla is the charging system. The charging system determines your kilowatts, which is to say that it determines the speed at which energy is transferred to your Tesla. The more kilowatts a charging system uses, the faster your Tesla will charge. There are 3 levels of electric vehicle charging systems. These levels are divided by their voltage ratings. Level 1 Level 1 EV charging is charging your vehicle with a standard 120V outlet, which is what a basic electrical outlet around your house is. Level 1 EV charging (120V) is the slowest form of charging. It generally only provides 2 to 4 miles of driving for every hour of charge. A 120V outlet at your house is AC. Thus the onboard charger will come into play to convert this to DC. If your Tesla has the 11.5 kW 48 amp onboard charger, then plugging it into a 120V outlet only allows a charge of around 5.8 kW. At that rate filling, a 100 kWh battery will take at least 17 hours. Except there is a problem. 48 amps are how much your onboard charger can handle, but that does not necessarily mean that is what your outlet is giving. A 120V outlet probably only has 15 amps. Knowing that your Tesla’s charging rate decrease to 1.8kW. Filling a 100kWh battery will take around 55 hours. These numbers come from an ideal setting in which things such as temperature and efficiency do not also reduce charging time. In addition, Teslas charge more slowly as they reach capacity in order to protect the battery.

Tesla, the California-based company specializing in renewable energy and luxury electric vehicles, likes to set itself apart from the emerging competition. The Tesla models are leaders in the pack and are known for constantly-evolving technology. Competitors are starting to produce more electric vehicles, but Tesla continues to be in a different category. One of the main factors that set Teslas apart from the competition is the high-risk, high-reward thinking behind the industry. The company does not “play it safe” and opts for cutting-edge design, groundbreaking features, and constant evolution. If you’re looking to find out what makes Teslas different from other electric cars, read on to find out more about how the company works and the impact of its business model. With Higher Risks Come Higher Rewards Tesla is known for not playing it safe. The company makes many promises about the products on offer. While they’re not always ready when planned, they continue to push the envelope to reach the point they wish to reach. From the start, Tesla has been striving to go further than anyone else in the field. Breaking into the electric vehicle world came with many challenges for the company, mostly because this was and continues to be a developing industry. Tesla emerged in the field with its first electric vehicle offering, the 2008 version of the Roadster, and immediately broke the mold.  The Roadster was the first fully electric vehicle that was legal to drive on highways. It was also the first fully electric car with 200 miles of drive per charge, the first to use lithium-ion battery cells, and even the first car to be launched into space with one of Space X’s Falcon Heavy rockets in 2018. Tesla has been playing a high-stakes game ever since. The 2008 Roadster has been discontinued, but it’s been followed by models that keep making headlines. The Tesla Model S, released in 2012, was named the bestselling plug-in electric car across the world in 2015 and 2016. The Model X followed in 2015 and introduced the falcon-wing doors. The Tesla Model 3 broke another record by becoming the bestselling electric vehicle globally and has delivered more than half a million units to customers! The Model Y, the newest vehicle to be released, is following in its predecessor’s footsteps. Despite this continued success, Tesla continues to take risks in the name of innovation and sustainability. Constant Updates Bring Constant Improvements Tesla releases its electric vehicles as finished products, but they continue receiving upgrades long after they are delivered. Tesla releases over-the-air software updates regularly. This makes the luxury electric models long-term investments that never feel outdated.  With Tesla’s drive to reach new heights in terms of technology and features, the over-the-air updates contribute to its business model’s success. These updates are delivered directly to the electric vehicle through Wi-Fi and are available to be discovered in the software section of the touchscreen command center. The updates can introduce new features or enhance existing ones. They breathe new life into existing models without making users feel like they’re missing out by not immediately purchasing the newest model released on the market. The over-the-air updates are one of the most user-friendly parts of the Tesla models. Updates continue to improve upon existing Tesla electric vehicles while keeping interest alive for those in development. As the technology continues to evolve, it is distributed retroactively to existing models and can immediately deliver instant upgrades that only require the time necessary to download and install. The over-the-air updates can make it seem like you’ve purchased a new car without the extra investment and will make you feel kept in the loop throughout your experience as a Tesla owner. The updates are rolled out regularly, with bigger upgrades released around once per month and smaller ones delivered throughout the month at varying lengths. The usual time to download these updates is less than half an hour, making it easy to get your car upgraded before you have to start your day. These upgrades keep adding bonuses to your Tesla investment. Tesla’s Cutting-edge Design is a Huge Draw Tesla vehicles are known for their cutting-edge design. The models are usually: Sleek Minimalistic Packed full of features Tesla invests in some of the best car designers, like Franz von Holzhausen, who joined the company from General Motors during the early days and has since gone on to design some of the most influential vehicles in the world. The Tesla luxury electric vehicles are designed to be visually striking. The aesthetic impact is taken into consideration as one of the deciding factors behind the finished product. Tesla models make a statement when they appear on the road, not just through their performance but through their appearance.  Franz von Holzhausen designed the Tesla bestsellers and was the mind behind the Models Y, 3, X, and S. The upcoming offerings of the Tesla Semi, the Cybertruck, and the new version of the Roadster are also directly influenced by his vision. The initial version of the 2008 Roadster was based on a Lotus design, but they have all been originals since then. The falcon-wing doors of the Model X made waves when the vehicle was announced and continue to be one of the more striking design features encountered in an electric vehicle. With each model, the design remains one of the biggest selling points. Tesla is continuing to invest in designs that will keep them ahead of the curve. Groundbreaking Features Keep the User Entertained Tesla vehicles are known for their wide range of features that are both innovative and entertaining. These features are some of the most attractive parts of purchasing Tesla models, and the company continues to bring them across in new and improved ways.  Software and Hardware With each software update, Tesla sends Easter eggs over-the-air to the touchscreen command centers. Tesla users now expect these, and the thrill of discovering them is an event that keeps customers hooked throughout their experience.  Models S and

In the age of modern technology, it seems like everything is getting faster. Computers, trains, and even internet connections are zooming toward the future while trying to beat out their competition when it comes to speed. Contemporary car companies are no different, and therefore no stranger to this phenomenon. The need for speed is a common trend for both manufacturers and consumers, trying to keep up with the latest buying trends in hopes of beating former Guinness Book world records for a chance to be the fastest. Any car faster than a Tesla can be considered on the list of fastest cars in the world. When it comes to battery-powered competition, only the Hybrid Electric McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid, Ferrari LaFerrari Hybrid, and McLaren Speedtail Hybrid can go faster than a Tesla. The Tesla Y, Tesla S, and upcoming Tesla Roadster are among the most powerful vehicles in production today. According to Elon Musk, CEO and Tesla and SpaceX founder, Tesla’s fast all-electric cars are filling the need of the two main types of electric vehicles: large transport trucks and fast passenger urban transport cars. While Teslas are certainly doing this today, there are still a few electric cars that do manage to surpass Tesla’s battery-powered top speeds.  Electric vs. Gas-Powered Vehicles When comparing the speed of cars, it is important to understand which cars are electric and which ones are still powered by gas engines using fuel. Battery-powered cars and gas cars are essentially in two different categories since they are made differently and have completely different internal operating systems. All-Electric Battery-Powered Vehicles With a battery-powered car, the need for fossil fuels is essentially eliminated. All-electric cars allow people to drive using solely electric energy, including the possibility of charging their cars from home or even using solar energy to make their cars operate. All-electric battery-powered cars tend to have very fast acceleration. The electric motor of these vehicles provide instant torque. Combustion engines cars on the other hand, have far less torque and it’s not immediate. Accessible Hybrid Cars Hybrid cars are some of the most easily accessible cars for everyday driving. They utilize similar batteries of an all-electric car while also relying on fuel powered engines like a regular combustion-based car. Hybrid cars can charge their own batteries while pressing on the brake pedal while still driving. The first-ever hybrid-electric vehicle available for purchase by the general public was the very popular Toyota Prius, however there are now hybrid hyper cars produced. Traditional Gas-Powered Vehicles Today, traditional gas-powered vehicles are still created in the vein of how they were first invented when Carl Benz patented his gas engine vehicle in 1886. These cars operate by igniting a small explosion or spark within the car’s engine, referred to as a combustion engine. This happens because the oil is mixed with air in a chamber that causes the oil to ignite, which in turn starts the car and keeps it running. Pressing on the gas pedal allows for more fuel to flow, allowing the car to go faster and gain speed. While all-electric cars have reached some incredible speeds in the past few years, most of the world’s fastest cars are still gas-only vehicles. The Fastest Electric and Hybrid Cars The 2013 Hybrid Electric McLaren P1 In 2013, the British car company McLaren Automotive released its gas-electric hybrid sports car. With a top speed of 217 miles per hour, it has made Forbes Magazine’s number 18 top fastest car of 2020. Technically an upgrade to the McLaren F1 automobile, the P1 is a plug-in capable hybrid electric car equipped with a state-of-the-art twin-turbocharged V8 engine.  While the Tesla Y can reach up to 150 miles per hour and the 2021 Tesla Model S can reach up to 163 miles per hour, the McLaren P1 is only able to beat two of the three major Tesla models. The upcoming Tesla Roadster is still projected to be faster than the McLaren P1, with a top speed of over 250 miles per hour. The 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid The 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid is the perfect car for anyone craving both luxury and speed. Coming in at a strong number 17 on the Forbes list, this plug-in hybrid is both battery-powered and reliant on its mid-size engine.  The 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder packs a punch with its 875 total horsepower. It can go zero to sixty in just 2.1 individual seconds and has a top speed of 218 miles power, just one mile per hour higher than the 2013 McLaren P1. Compared to a Tesla, the Porsche 918 Spyder can out-race both the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model S but won’t match up to the coming speed of the Tesla Roadster. The 2013 Ferrari LaFerrari Hybrid Made in Marinello, Italy, Ferrari is known as the car brand of Italian celebrities and movie stars. Ferrari is a brand all about good quality and flash, and the Ferrari LaFerrari delivers just that. This car was developed with a hybrid system called the Hy-Kers system, combining its classic V12 engine with electric capabilities. The Ferrari LaFerrari hybrid’s top speed is 220 miles per hour, allowing it to be considered much faster than both the Tesla S and Model 3 Tesla performance versions. However, it doesn’t stand a chance to the 2021 Tesla Roadster’s top speed of 250 miles per hour. The 2020 All-Electric Faraday FF91 With a top speed of 250 miles per hour, the 2020 all-electric Faraday FF91 catches the 2021 Tesla Roadster is an exact speed tie. While it is definitely faster than the 2020 Tesla Model 3’s 162 miles per hour performance top speed and the 2020 Tesla Model S’s 163 miles per hour top speed, a race between the Faraday FF91 and the Roadster would need to be called by the millisecond. Tesla has yet to produce the new Roadster, so there’s still a good chance they make further refinements. If the SpaceX package does

As the demand for environmentally-friendly vehicles grows, many car companies are introducing their own electric options. Tesla has become a household name with its prominence in the electric car industry. The Model 3 is a particularly popular choice for those looking for an affordable car with great performance.  Cars that compete with a Tesla Model 3 include the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt, giving you fully electric and stylish hatchbacks, while the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia Niro EV offer SUV options. These affordable choices offer similar features and performance to that of a Tesla Model 3. In the rest of this article, we will see the best features of the Tesla Model 3 and where you can find them in the electric car market. We will also explore each of these recommended competitors’ profiles to help you decide which alternative electric vehicle is right for you.  What Is the Tesla Model 3? The Tesla Model 3 is one of the top choices for people shopping for an outstanding and affordable electric vehicle. It can go from zero to 60mph in 3.1 seconds, which is one of the fastest accelerations we will see in our reviews today. It has a stylish design that makes it an appealing car on both the inside and out.  The Model 3 has an impressive range, with an estimated 353 miles of driving possible on a fully charged battery. When it comes to supercharging on the go, you will be able to charge up 175 miles to your battery in about 15 minutes. This ability makes charging breaks short and sweet, getting you back on the road quickly. The Model 3 blends technology and safety features to give its driver the best in cutting-edge smart driving tools. These tools include cameras and sensors to enhance the perception of the car’s environment at key moments. These can alert you to movement in your blindspots and possible hazards to you and your vehicle.  There are three options available for the Model 3. The most basic model has a starting price of $37,990. From there, you can choose more advanced models with more extensive features. The price tag will increase with each model as well.  If you are looking for a comparable vehicle that isn’t made by Tesla, there are still many options in the electric vehicle market. Let’s take a look at our top four competitors to the Tesla Model 3.  Chevrolet Bolt EV Chevrolet’s electric hatchback is a great option if you are looking for a small car that still offers you space. This electric vehicle’s design allows for quick acceleration, a feature that was lacking in initial hybrid and electric options. It can go from zero to 60mph in 6.5 seconds.  The Bolt also features regenerative braking, a braking system that allows you to gradually slow down without ever touching the brake pedal. Instead, you use the gear shift. Activate the “L Mode” and simply lift your foot off the acceleration pedal. This will signal your car to slow down. This regenerative braking system helps prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the brake pads that would cause you to replace them sooner over time. It also charges the battery when you lift off the acceleration, allowing you to drive for longer.  For the Bolt, its estimated range is 259 miles when its battery is fully charged. For your home charging station, you will be able to charge this vehicle in nine hours. If you need to quickly charge along the highway, you can expect to charge 90 miles of driving in 30 minutes of charging.  Inside the vehicle, you have a touchscreen display with plenty of features to assist the driver. The starting price for this vehicle is $37,495. Of course, if you are looking for an advanced model with more features, the price tag will rise accordingly.  Nissan Leaf This recommendation from Nissan is another great option when it comes to a fully electric hatchback at an affordable price. The Leaf comes in five different builds that allow you to choose the electric vehicle perfect for your needs. You can choose an option with the right battery size and horsepower capacity for you and your driving preferences. For the most basic option, the Nissan Leaf starts at $31,670. This vehicle will go from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. You can expect to fully charge your Leaf in 7 hours when charging it at your home station. With your fully charged battery, you will get an estimated range of 226 miles. Its sleek exterior makes this hatchback a very attractive option.  Hyundai Kona Electric This SUV model from Hyundai gives you the space and elevation you want from an SUV but as a fully electric vehicle. It features a front-wheel drive and can go from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, meaning you can accelerate quickly in this fully electric SUV. It also has regenerative braking. On a fully charged battery, you will be able to drive 258 miles before needing to recharge. Inside the vehicle, you will have a touchscreen (the size will depend on the model of Kona you choose) loaded with features. These features increase as you go up in the models and their corresponding price points.  There are currently three options for the Kona Electric, but the most basic starts at $37,390. If you are looking for more advanced features, you will need to choose one of the more expensive models.  Keep in mind that even though the Kona Electric is an SUV, it is still a more compact version of a sport utility vehicle. It might not be as spacious as the largest non-electric SUVs on the market, but it certainly offers more room than some of the other options in this list.  Kia Niro EV This crossover SUV from Kia is a great choice when it comes to a spacious electric option. It is available in two varieties: the EX or the EX Premium.

One of the unique features of Tesla cars is their regular software updates. Understandably, many of us are only used to software updates on our mobile devices, PCs, and smart TVs, so the process of updating the software on a car may seem a little confusing. However, it’s pretty straightforward if you have the correct information. To update the software on a Tesla, connect the car to a Wi-Fi network and tap on the yellow download icon on the dash touchscreen. Owners can choose to start the installation immediately, and the download icon will change to green to show the installation progress. Owners can also schedule updates. This guide offers tips on how to install a Tesla software update. Read on to learn how to troubleshoot problems during an update. Why Do Tesla Cars Require Software Updates? Your car is already great when it comes out of the factory, so you may be wondering why it needs to be updated. Well, Tesla wants your vehicle to get even better over time, so they regularly roll out updates to improve your car’s functionality and add new features to it.  These updates make Tesla stand out from traditional cars that have preset onboard computer systems. The major Tesla updates typically arrive once each month and make your vehicle safer to drive. These crucial updates also enhance your vehicle’s navigation, handling, and performance capabilities. Tesla’s software updates also improve your car’s entertainment and enhance specialized features like Tesla Autopilot. One of the major benefits of owning a Tesla is receiving consistent free system updates and upgrades that don’t require a service visit.  How To Check for Software Updates on a Tesla You can find information about your current software by tapping the Tesla “T” logo on the center of the dashboard touchscreen. A digital window will open to show your car’s software version and other details like the battery configuration, vehicle avatar, and VIN.  To check for an update on your Tesla, tap “Controls’ and navigate to “Software.” The touchscreen of your car will display “Checking For Updates” and search available updates. If there are no pending updates, you’ll see the message “Your Car Software Is Up to Date” on the touchscreen. If an update is available, you’ll see “Update Available” and a yellow download icon on the touchscreen. You can also tap on “Release Notes” on the window’s bottom right-hand side to access information on the latest software update.  The notification will give you an estimate on how long the update installation will take to complete, although download times vary depending on the Wi-Fi signal strength. In most cases, you don’t need to check for an update, as you’ll be notified via your touchscreen and the Tesla mobile app once one is available.  These update notifications automatically appear when your car is connected to Wi-Fi. If you’re connected to Wi-Fi and still can’t receive update notifications, visit the “Software” window to configure your car to receive updates when they are available. Accessing the Advanced Settings will allow you to turn on  the automatic update installation feature. How To Install Tesla Software Updates When you receive a software update notification on your Tesla, you can either install it immediately or at a later time. If you choose to install it immediately, here’s how to go about it: Connect Your Tesla to Wi-Fi Before you can download and install a software update, you need to connect it to Wi-Fi. You can connect it to any Wi-Fi source, whether it’s your home network or mobile phone internet.  To connect your car to a Wi-Fi network, tap on the Wi-Fi symbol or the LTE icon on the top right of your screen. A list of available networks will show up that you can connect to. Now, select your home network, enter the Wi-Fi password, and tap “Confirm.” Tap on the Yellow Download Icon To begin the update installation, you’ll need to tap that little yellow icon. Once the installation starts, the icon will change to green and remain that way until the update is complete. If the icon does not change color, something may be wrong with your Wi-Fi connection. Wait for the Update To Finish Downloading Installation typically takes about 30 minutes or lesser, depending on the strength and speed of the network. During this time, you will not be able to drive or recharge your car. This limitation is a safety measure by Tesla to avoid any conflicts or malfunction with the features you’re updating. Also, you can’t cancel an update once you’ve started it. You’ll have to wait for the installation to complete before you start your car. As a result, it’s best to schedule your update installation when you don’t have an important meeting or event to attend. Here’s a video to further guide you on how to set up a Wi-Fi connection on your Tesla: More Tips on Tesla Software Updates If something goes wrong during a software update and it gets interrupted, you can’t directly restart it. You’ll have to contact Tesla Customer Support to request that your update be restarted. If your car or touchscreen malfunctions or becomes unresponsive after an update, don’t panic. Some features may become unavailable during a software update. However, if you don’t get a “Software Update Complete” after about 30 minutes, it’s possible that the software update did not complete, and you’ll have to call Customer Support. If you received the notification that your software update is complete, but your touchscreen or care is still not responding, Tesla recommends taking one of the following steps to troubleshoot the problem. Do a Touchscreen Reboot This action is performed by pressing and holding the two scroll wheels located on either side of the steering wheel for about 5 seconds until the screen turns off. As the system reboots, you’ll start to see the Tesla “T” logo appear on the touchscreen. It can take several seconds for it to boot back up. Power Off the Vehicle