PODCAST: TESLA'S ULTIMATUM, FULL SELF-DRIVING 10.5, MERCEDES-BENZ EQB, MORE

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Electrek Podcast delves into several key developments in the EV market. A significant portion discusses Tesla's ultimatum to buyers delaying deliveries, highlighting the strategic reasons behind it, including end-of-year targets and potential tax credit gaming. The podcast also covers Tesla's withdrawal from EU subsidies for its German Gigafactory, exploring potential underlying reasons beyond the stated ideological stance against subsidies. Updates on Gigafactory Texas's first phase of Model Y production costs and timelines are provided, contrasting with the ongoing regulatory hurdles in Germany. The discussion touches upon Tesla's Full Self-Driving Beta 10.5 update, noting improvements in object detection and the controversial addition of VIN-associated data collection for safety events. Finally, the launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQB in Europe and the tease of a hyper-efficient Vision EQXX concept car are covered, alongside Rivian's customer delivery windows and a $20,000 carbon ceramic brake kit for the Model S Plaid.