My Tesla Model Y Experience

Beginning of a new quarter and Tesla has reduced prices for Model 3 and Model Y (again). The Long Range Model Y is $2,000 cheaper and now costs $48,490 (before it was $50,490). Again, with a potential IRA federal tax credit of $7,500 this gets close to $40k for a medium sized luxury SUV. Tesla also introduced a new RWD (rear wheel drive) Model Y with 270 miles of range for $43,990. With the tax credit this moves towards $35k. Prices were also reduced for the Model 3.  Well, just like many others, I bought my Model Y at a higher price a while back. But I consider this as something that was expected. For one, Tesla tries to make the cars cheaper so that more people can afford an EV, and second, new technology (remember iPhone) is first more expensive with prices coming down over time. Well, Apple seems to go the other way now, since more phones cost close to $1,000, but that is a different story. So, since I have bought my Model Y for the long-term (10 years) I don't worry too much a

After about 2 months driving my Tesla Model Y I cannot believe why it took me so long to finally get one. Driving the car (probably similar to some other EVs, not all) feels so smooth, so silent, so powerful, so elegant and so flowing - it is so much better than the good old gasoline car. Here is what I enjoy most: Simple clean interior design (not plastered with little buttons and gadget all over the dashboard) The big display with the simple navigation system, including Supercharger selection The music streaming like Spotify, Tune-In, etc. The sound of the speakers The light through the glass roof The ability to charge anywhere: Home, Destination, Supercharger!  No brakes! (it does have brakes but I hardly use them) Doesn't stink or pollutes the environment (fresh air) The smooth and silent ride The power (I usually drive slow with modest acceleration to conserve energy, but when you need to have it, it is there) All I can say, if you have not driven (or traveled in) an EV you ha

I really like the regenerative braking feature of my Tesla. No wear on the brakes, and I "fill up" my battery. I live on a hill and when I leave home and go down the hill I "regen" - at least some of the way. Often I get the green indicator light that says: Regenerative Braking temporary reduced. I looked it up and found out the following. It happens when: The battery is fully charged 95-100% (I hardly do that) The battery is cold or not at a perfect temperature (I guess that is my case) - this happens either because the battery is cold because the car was just sitting there, or it is (and stays) cold because the outside temperatures are extreme. I further read that you can "pre-condition" the battery (via your app) before you leave. But then the question is if the pre-conditioning takes more energy than the energy you could gain by having full "regenerative braking" available. In any case, after a few minutes of driving the indicator light goes

After several weeks of owning my EV I was thinking about how much I save using an EV versus a gasoline car. In California the gas prices are close to $6 a gallon. Electricity is about $0.30 per kWh. So let's take a look and compare the Model Y with the Honda Element I had before, plus another popular SUV from Toyota, the 4Runner. Let's start with a per mile comparison and then calculate a yearly and 5 year difference. Tesla offers some guidance on savings on their website, but let's take a look at the official numbers published by the fuel economy.gov website.  Model Y: Cost 25 miles: $0.97. Annual fuel cost: $600. Over 5 years ownership: $3,000 Honda Element: Cost for 25 miles: $4.62. Annual fuel cost: $2,750. Over 5 Years: $13,750 Toyota 4Runner: Cost for 25 miles: $5.71. Annual fuel cost: $3,400. Over 5 Years: $17,000 Of course, this is an average number since gas prices and energy price vary by state. However, the differences are stunning. Model Y "fuel" co

We are reaching the end of the 3rd quarter and usually Tesla (as many other businesses) offer deals and discounts to sell more cars in the last few days of that month. So, if you are flexible and want to buy a car, you should definitely check out the inventory page of the Tesla website on a regular basis in the next few days until September 30, 2023. When I checked today I even saw a new gray Model Y, 5 seater with tow hitch discounted by $3,000. I got mine with a $500 discount in August. And as mentioned before, the same car can be on the website at totally different prices. Also today, I saw a basic RWD Model 3 listed for $37k, for $39k and $40k next to each other on the inventory page. I even checked the location and the $37k and $40k were posted for the same delivery center in Corte Madera CA - go figure. Tesla certainly has an interesting pricing algorithm for their inventory page. It looks like they use some form of game theory to encourage people to find the lowest possible pric

I do most of my charging (90%) at home. Therefore, I thought a lot about how to most efficiently charge the car. My efficiency considerations are in three areas (there are probably more, but I focus on those for now): Use the lowest cost of energy $ per kWh throughout 24 hours: Dependent on your location and the utility company you are using, there might be different $ per kWh rates throughout the day or night. Also, some utilities offer special EV rates. Check with your utility to see what you can do to minimize charging cost.    Use the "cleanest" energy: Since we have solar and home battery, I try to use as much energy as possible from our solar panels to charge the car. In addition, you should avoid charging at high electricity demand times (in our area 3pm to 9pm)  because then the utilities use "peaker plants" to stabilize the grid, often using "dirtier" energy. Also, Tesla now offers an option in selected location to charge from solar only. Check ou

Many people that are not familiar with EVs still consider "range anxiety" as something to worry about when owning an electric vehicle. Of course, there is a bit more planning involved in road-tripping with an EV, but that is not necessarily bad since you have to take breaks anyway. But, let's first discuss the various charing options and how I use them: Home charging: The advantage of an EV is that you can charge it at home (if you have a place to park within 20 feet of electricity) and no need to spend time at gas stations for daily driving. There are three options for charging a Tesla at home using Tesla equipment (there are other home chargers that I don't discuss here) Wall Connector: This connector has to be installed by an electrician, requires 240V/48Amp and delivers up to 44 miles per hour. It costs $475 plus installation. There is a new variant "Universal Wall Connector" that has a connector for non-Teslas. Great if you have different brand EVs.  M

Because I have to transport stuff for my work, I decided to get a cargo liner for the trunk of my Model Y. It is kind of funny and similar to a phone case - you have this beautiful iPhone (machined and polished metal and glass) and then you cover it with plastic case. But I have to say that the cargo liner is not just protecting the cargo area, but also it makes it so much easier to clean the trunk. You can just remove the cargo liner, fold it up, and then "empty it out". The dirt, sand and other debris just falls out when you shake it a bit. Then you just put it back. You can also vacuum on a flat surface if necessary.  How did I decide on the cargo liner? Well, I looked a the Tesla accessory vendors (Tesmanian, Teslarati, EV Base, etc.) and also at Amazon. When comparing I was looking at size, material, 60/40 split and price. I was aiming for a price of less than $100. Amazon had low price offerings, but they seemed a bit flimsy.  Other vendors were more expensive. By readi

I recently bought my Model Y and I am happy with it, but I still have to look at Tesla's inventory page for the latest deals. Just today, I saw that they had a new RWD Model 3 (basic, black interior, 18inch wheels and gray) for $36,220 ($4,020 off list price) and with $7,500 IRA tax credit and $500 referral discount , the price will be $28,220 (plus delivery fees and taxes, but every other car has that on top). That price is really remarkable compared traditional cars in that class (Audi, VW, BMW) and even more when compared to the budget cars (Toyota, Honda, etc.). Even if some of the other entry level cars are maybe $20k-24k, you have to consider the total cost of ownership of an EV to really compare monthly expenses and the total over the life time of the cars. Tesla's and pretty much all EV's for that matter have lower costs in the following areas: Lower cost per mileage (electric energy costs less than gasoline) Almost no maintenance costs (fluids change, oil change, s

As a follow up to my recent article on how to charge your Tesla for free , I just saw that Tesla and Hilton announced a partnership to install 20,000 chargers at 2000 Hilton locations in North America. In my other article I was describing how level 2 destination chargers are a great way for businesses to attract and retain customers. They usually offer charging for free if the customers buy/use their services (lodging) or products (food, etc. ). It is interesting that Hilton will use the new Tesla "Universal Wall Connector". This wall connector supports both charging standards, the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) and the J1772 adapter - making it very easy to charge Tesla and non-Tesla EV's. I am planning a business trip and actually will stay at a Hilton in the next few months. It looks like the partnership will start in 2024, but I am interested if the place I selected already offers charging and what type of charger they offer.  With the increasing adopti

I just did my first road trip with my Tesla Model Y - not a very long one - but one where I had to charge. Of course, there are Superchargers everywhere. But there are also Tesla chargers called "Destination Charger". Those are provided by businesses, retail stores, restaurants and hotels. Often, they are "free" when you frequent those businesses. Those businesses offer charging to attract more customers who buy their services or products. So, it is kind of free if you would go there anyway. The chargers are typically Level 2, running about 240V and 40 Ah, resulting in about 20 to 30 miles per hour. So, it really depends on the type of business how much electricity you can get. In a hotel you can easily "fill up" your battery over night. In other places you might get 1 to 3 hours of charging, resulting in 30 to 90 miles. In addition, to being "free" it also is convenient because it charges while you do other things (sleeping!). Those chargers are

In my previous post I wrote about how to get the Tesla referral link and this one describes the program in more detail. I bought my Tesla using a referral link and saved $500 - definitely worth the effort. Here is the program in a nutshell: If you have a Tesla account you have a referral link in your profile. If you give this link to a friend and they order and buy a car (new configured or new from inventory) they get $500 off in addition to three month of FSD trial (Full Self Driving). The person who provides the link gets credits (10k or 20k) for the referral, but only if the other person actually buys the car and takes delivery. The credits can be used for Tesla merchandise, Supercharger miles or other software upgrades. So, it is really a win-win-win. Tesla gets a new customer, the referrer gets useful credits for bringing a new customer, and the customer gets a $ discount and a trial of FSD. It is pretty straightforward, no haggling we used to have with traditional car dealerships

Regenerative braking is simple - it uses the electric motor to slow down the car, while generating electricity and recharging the battery. It is almost magic. The other day I was driving along stretch of downhill highway. At the top of the hill, the car displayed 220 miles of range. When I reached the end of the downhill stretch, it showed 224 miles. I drove the car, did not have to use the brakes (no wear, no dust of brake pads - good for the environment) and also "recharged" my battery. You can see when and how much it generates by the length of the green bar on the display. Again, simple concept, but still amazing! I also noticed that using regenerative braking leads to a smoother, forward planning and more efficient driving style overall. When I approach a STOP sign, I slowly ease acceleration and try to stop at the sign without using the brake. Just after a few weeks it's all automatic, and frankly, I really try to not use the brakes at all. It makes driving even mor

After owning my Tesla Model Y for thee weeks, I finally go to try the Autopilot feature. Autopilot consists of two major features: Traffic Aware Cruise Control: This is similar to the cruise control that I had with my Honda, but it automatically speeds up and slows down the car based on traffic. In order to activate this feature you pull down the gear selector stalk once. You can adjust the max speed through the little scroll wheel on the steering wheel. You turn off by pulling the stalk upwards or braking.  Autosteer: This assists with steering in a clearly marked lane (freeway or highway) and works with traffic aware cruise control. You pull down the stalk twice, then you hear a sound and you see blue lane lines. Again, turning off with brake or pulling stalk upwards. Well, I first read articles about this, then I watched Youtube videos. But when you actually use it, it feels amazing and scary at the same time. The car stays in the lane by itself and does a pretty good job. However,

Yesterday, August 31, 2023, Tesla announced the new and updated Model 3 (code name Highland) in Europe, China and Australia. It has a new front and back design, new headlights, and new interior with ventilated seats, higher range (not confirmed yet but the estimate is 300 miles for SR and 370 miles for LR model). The price seems to be up by 4 to 12% (based on the country). Tesla is clearly position the new Model 3 more in the luxury category. And I have to say it looks more sporty, more aggressive and just newer. The Model is now 7 years old - it was time. We are still waiting for the announcement in the US with specification and pricing - stay tuned. Here is a list of new features: Sleeker front end design and headlights Updated back end design and lights Increased efficiency and range (estimate of 300 and 370 miles) New wheel options Two new colors: Ultra red and stealth gray New 8-inch touch screen in the back (similar to Model S and X) New steering wheel and no stalks (which I woul

Wow, I just read today that Tesla has dramatically reduced prices for Model S and X by up to 19%. The Model S now starts at  $74,990 and the Model X at $79,990. In addition, all color options are included (free, no additional cost) and the Model X now qualifies for the $7,500 IRA tax credit (plus potential state based tax incentives).  That is big news. Obviously, the cars are still not cheap, but for somebody who has the funds this seems a great time to consider buying one of those luxury vehicles. In a recent post I wrote about a strategy how to get a discount on a Tesla , but sometimes you just have to patiently wait. Tesla is known for dramatic price changes (in both directions!)  In case you want another $500 off, please feel free to use my Tesla Referral link.

One of the reasons for me to purchase my Tesla Model Y now was that I got the full IRA Federal Tax Credit of $7,500 - that is a substantial amount of money to save when buying a new EV. It surprises me that still a lot of people don't seem to know about this tax incentive. I think it is worth to understand the program because makes an EV more affordable. All variants of Tesla Model 3 and Model Y qualify for this credit, among other selected brands and model such as Chevrolet Bolt, Ford Marche, GM Lyric, VW ID4, etc. The credit amount depends on criteria such as where the car is made, where the battery is made and where the battery materials are coming from. Therefore, the credit might change over time for certain cars. In addition, there is a requirement regarding income and price of the car. You can find more details about this here  IRA Clean Vehicle Purchase Credits . Tesla has posted a short summary regarding price and income on their website that explains this in more detail.

Tesla is currently running a referral program that gives the buyer of a new Tesla up to $500 discount, plus 3 months trial of FSD (Full Self Driving). Each person who has a Tesla account (and the Tesla app) has a unique referral link in the app that can be used to get the discount. The referrer gets credits that can be used to purchase Tesla merchandise or upgrades. Ask friends or family if they either own a Tesla or at least have a Tesla account and then get their referral link. Have your friend tap the profile picture in the Tesla app, then select "Refer and Earn" and then tap "Refer Now" to have them send the link to you. In case you don't know anybody who has a referral link, you can use mine:  https://ts.la/lutz13571 You just click that link to select, configure and order your Tesla. You can even buy a discounted car from the inventory and the referral discount will be added on top of the other discount. Pretty cool.

Interesting question - what car brands are actually made in America. Cars.com published a 2023 ranking of the "most American made" cars. You would assume that GM and Ford lead the charts on this one. Well, they are not even in the top 10 list. To the surprise of many, Tesla has actually the most American made cars. Model Y holds #1, Model 3 is #2, Model X is #3 and Model S is on place 4. Followed by Honda, VW, Acura. So, if you want to support American made products and jobs in America, then you should consider Tesla as at the most American company of all of them. 

Most Teslas offer a range between 270 and 400+ miles. Of course that is just a theoretical calculated number and depends on many factors such as temperature, driving style, up/downhill, etc. Some of the conditions you have influence over (driving style, etc. ) and others not (temperature, uphill, etc.). Here are some tips and consideration on how to maximize the range: Moderate acceleration of car reduces energy consumption  Lower highway speed: 60 or 65 instead of 708 or 75  Use Regenerative braking (recharge battery versus brake pedal when slowing down Reduce the use of heating and cooling (AC) when possible Minimize the load (remove weight that is not being used from car) Remove roof rack when not used Limit sentry mode to places where necessary (e.g. turn off at home if possible) Have tires with correct tire pressure In summary, there are many ways to conserve energy and maximize range, but I guess the two most important factors are quick acceleration and high speed on freeways (bo

Unlike at traditional car dealerships, there is no haggling or negotiation when buying a Tesla. You order it online and then you just pick it up. However, there are ways to get discounts. For one, Tesla has a referral program that offers $500 off on a new Tesla (ask your friends for their referral link or use the one on this site). In addition, Tesla offers various discounts on its inventory cars. The discounts range from $500 to several thousand dollars based on the model and configuration. Especially Model S, Model X and Model 3 seem to have higher discounts.  Here are two ways to approach this.  If you want a Tesla soon, but cannot find the configuration in the inventory you could just order one and then after you get the confirmation you can select an "Early Delivery" of an inventory car right from the app. That's what I did. I checked the app several times a day after I placed my order and on day 5 or so I saw an inventory car that matched by configuration that was $

Obviously I am a bit biased towards Tesla, but I think buying any EV is a good investment (as far as a car purchase can be considered an investment). Teslas or EVs have way lower maintenance costs in the long-term, lower cost per mile (electricity versus gas), they support sustainable transportation, reduce emissions and are way more fun to drive. So, here are a few questions that might help finding the right EV. Range: The myth #1 of EV is that they have a short range causing unnecessary anxiety for future owners. So, you need to ask yourself what kind of driving you do (daily commute and longer road trips) and what range you really need. Most EVs are now between 200 and 400 miles of range. Charging: Based on your answer regarding type of driving you do, you need to figure out how you plan to charge your car. Home: This is the easiest and most convenient charging, if you have a place to park your car and have electricity close by. There is level 1 (120V) normal outlet and level 2 (240

When I first got into my new Model Y it felt almost unreal. The car unlocks, you get in, the car knows who you are, your preferences (music, seat position, etc.) and it is ready to drive. You put in D and go. It is incredibly smooth driving, very quiet, but also very powerful. The low center of gravity (battery pack) makes driving around corners really fun. And I enjoy the braking (or the lack of) when slowing down. The car uses regenerative braking (e-motor charges battery to slow down the car) and you only use one pedal driving. You accelerate, stay on the paddle until you come to a STOP sign or red light. You slowly release the paddle a bit to get slower and right before the line, you release the pedal and the car stops and automatically puts it on HOLD (almost like parking brake). On some days, I never use the brake at all. Hard to imagine but true. Just imagine how much energy we waste by braking (heat) and how much pollution we generate (dust of braking pads). The only way to rea

Why did I buy a Model Y? There are many reasons for deciding on a Model Y, and there will be probably more after driving it for a while, but it comes down to a few top reasons: It's an EV: If I ever spend money on a NEW car (all my previous cars had been used) it had to be a a model that supports sustainable energy. It's the whole package: Tesla not only builds great cars, but also delivers total freedom with the Supercharger Network. Tesla navigation just tells you where to go and you just plug in to charge. Also, the seamless integration of hardware (the car) and software (the screen, the audio, etc.) makes this car not only a great driving experience, but it also continously gets more features through software updates - just like an old iPhone gets more features through a new IOS. It's fun: It's sporty, it's fast, it's efficient, it's comfortable, it's quiet - it is amazing to drive. If you have not driven a Tesla, do it - there are free test drives a