Tesla may soon offer a cheaper or more powerful Wall Connector
Tesla
Tesla insider Chris Zheng hints at a possible new charging option for the electric vehicle giant. Tesla may be considering releasing a new home charging option, based on a tweet from the very well-informed Tesla insider Zheng.
A new charging option could potentially make Tesla ownership even more appealing to a wider range of consumers, further solidifying the company's place at the forefront of the EV revolution.
Tesla Insider Chris Zheng's Tweet
Zheng, the same insider who reported the removal of wood trim and the new camera set up in Hardware 4, recently tweeted about the Tesla Wall Connector, hinting at a potential new offering from the company.
Cheaper Wall Connector
In his tweet, Zheng mentioned two possibilities: A more affordable Wall Connector: Zheng suggested that Tesla might introduce a low-price, low-power Wall Connector, which would sacrifice some of its over-the-air (OTA) capabilities. This new charging option could respond to the growing competition in the Chinese EV market, where many Tesla competitors already offer similar products. However, Zheng disapproved of this potential move, stating it was "not fun."
Many owners today choose to charge with Tesla's mobile connector, a cheaper alternative. A cheaper Wall Connector could bridge the gap between the mobile connector and Tesla's more expensive home charging solution.
More Powerful Wall Connector
A next-gen Wall Connector with Cybertruck-style design: Another possibility Zheng mentioned is a new, next-generation Wall Connector featuring a design inspired by the much-anticipated Tesla Cybertruck. This upgraded Connector would have a total power of 21 kW, making it a more powerful option for Tesla owners looking to charge their vehicles.
A more powerful charging solution would likely be aimed at businesses that have access to more power and would like to provide a faster charging solution than the current Wall-Connector-based destination chargers offer. Last year Tesla introduced the ability for businesses to charge for charging through their destination chargers.
Implications of a New Charging Option
A new charging option could have several implications for Tesla and its customers.
Increased affordability: If Tesla were to introduce a more affordable Wall Connector, it could make the prospect of owning a Tesla more attractive to a broader range of potential buyers. This move could help Tesla gain a competitive edge in markets where price-sensitive consumers are more likely to opt for a more affordable EV charging solution.
Enhanced charging experience: A next-generation Connector with Cybertruck-inspired styling could create a more cohesive brand experience for Tesla owners. This new charging option could increase power and highlight the company's commitment to innovation and design.
Expanded market share: Offering new home charging options could help Tesla expand its market share in the global EV industry. By catering to various consumer needs and preferences, the company could attract a more diverse customer base and solidify its position as the leading EV manufacturer.
While Tesla has not yet confirmed these rumors, it's clear that any potential new charging options would play a significant role in the company's growth strategy. As the EV market continues to evolve, Tesla must stay ahead of the curve by offering innovative and affordable solutions that cater to the needs of a diverse range of consumers.
Tesla’s latest software update, version 2025.2, brings new features to Service Mode, continuing the trend of improving in-vehicle diagnostics.
Currently, this feature is only available for vehicles with AMD Ryzen infotainment systems and requires Service Mode+, which is a subscription service aimed at technicians. Intel-powered vehicles aren’t supported yet, but we expect this feature to roll out to them as well unless hardware limitations prevent it.
Thanks to Spencer for providing an image of the panel in action.
Signal Viewer Panel
While update 2025.2.6 adds four service mode improvements, including updates to brake burnishing, charge port calibration, and noise recording panel improvements. In this article, we’ll focus on the new signal viewer panel.
This new panel offers a live data feed from selectable vehicle sensors. You select the signals you’re interested in and it’ll plot the signal on a graph. In addition to allowing you to view real-time signal data, it also allows you to record them.
The signals are searchable and can be easily added or removed from the panel. You can track up to 10 sensors, and the UI allows three of them to be viewable at once.
However, this is Service Mode and it’s more than just pretty looks. You can really dig down into these charts. You can pan them left and right through time, and tapping a specific point shows the exact value of that signal. The panel also supports pinch-to-zoom, enabling you to adjust the time scale across all panels simultaneously.
This feature is exclusive to Service Mode+, which requires a subscription to Tesla’s ToolBox3 software and a connection to a computer. It’s designed to help technicians diagnose issues related to signal quality, noise in the vehicle’s electrical systems, and signal variance in components during driving.
Tesla has updated its Model Y lineup in Europe, introducing new standard configurations while discontinuing the limited-edition Launch Series. With the new variants now available, European customers will have more choices and cheaper options to pick from.
The Launch Series and some of its exclusive features will no longer be offered—except in the UK, where it remains available alongside the new lineup.
New Models Introduced
Tesla’s new Model Y lineup in Europe includes three main variants. The prices vary slightly from country to country.
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Priced at €44,990, this model is the most affordable new Model Y, but it also has the shortest range and is missing a few features available on other trim levels.
Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD): Available for €49,990, this version is essentially the same as the RWD model, but with a larger battery. It has seen a €1,000 price increase compared to the outgoing Long Range RWD model.
Long Range All-Wheel Drive (LR AWD): At €52,990, this model has seen a price drop of €2,000, making it a better deal than the previous LR AWD Model Y. This is also the only new Model Y to come with most of the same features as the Launch Series, including additional speakers, a subwoofer, premium materials inside the cabin and improved acceleration. Acceleration boost should also become available for this model, letting it match the performance of the Launch Series.
All Model Y variants come with all the improvements that we’ve discussed about the new Model Y, including the new front and rear light bars, improved aerodynamics, ventilated seats, improved heat and sound isolation, and the 8-inch rear touchscreen. Some exclusive options, like the Midnight Cherry Red paint, appear to no longer be available. However, Tesla has already said that they’ll be introducing new paint options for the Model Y in North America.
Compare Model Y Variants
Here’s how the various Model Y variants compare to each other:
Launch Series
LR AWD
LR RWD
RWD
Range (WLTP)
353mi (568km)
364mi (568km)
387mi (622km)
311mi (500 km)
Acceleration (0 to 60 mph)
4.1s (includes Acceleration Boost)
4.8s
5.6s
5.9s
Audio
15 speakers + subwoofer
15 speakers + subwoofer
9 speakers
9 speakers
Interior
Premium materials
Premium materials
Fabric door trim
Fabric door trim
Weight
4,402 lbs (1,997 kg)
4,402 lbs (1,997 kg)
4,191 lbs (1,901 kg)
4,250 lbs (1,928 kg)
Power Consumption
15.3 kWh/62 mi (100km)
15.3 kWh/62 mi (100km)
14.2 kWh/62 mi (100km)
13.9 kWh/62 mi (100km)
Tow Hitch
Included
Optional
Optional
Optional
Supercharging Power
250 kW max
250 kW max
250 kW max
175 kW max
Charging Speed
165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins
165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins
165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins
148 mi (238 km) in 15 mins
Battery Warranty
8 years or 120k mi
8 years or 120k mi
8 years or 120k mi
8 years or 100k mi
Extras
FSD + Acceleration Boost + Puddle Lights + LS badges + Free Upgrade to Helix wheels
None
None
None
Availability
Late February
March
June
May-June
Price
€60,990
€52,990
€49,990
€44,990
Launch Series Ends
Not a Tesla App
The Launch Series, which debuted just weeks ago in Europe, has now been phased out. This limited-edition model was priced at €60,990 and included a suite of premium features comparable to a bundle deal you may find with other products. It came equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD), Acceleration Boost, and exclusive badging on the rear liftgate, door sill plates, and puddle lights.
While the Launch Series is no longer available for new orders in most European countries, customers can still get a similar vehicle by opting for the Long Range AWD model and manually adding premium features like FSD. Acceleration Boost, which was standard in the Launch Series, is expected to become available for purchase once these vehicles are delivered or soon afterward. However, some exclusive elements, such as badging and trim details, will remain unique to the discontinued edition.
For now, the UK remains an exception, still offering the Launch Series alongside the newly introduced models.
Performance Model Still to Come
With Tesla now introducing the expected variants of the refreshed Model Y, one notable absence is the Performance model. While the Launch Series was fast due to the Acceleration Boost addon, there’s no doubt the Performance version will be in a league of its own.
What we saw Tesla do with the 2024+ Model 3 Performance variant was more than just using binned motors. The vehicle featured unique bumpers, a spoiler, an improved suspension, sport seats, Track Mode V3 and other features that made the vehicle stand out compared to the Model 3 AWD.
The Performance version of the new Model Y is expected to become available later this year, however, expect it to carry a $5-$8k premium over the AWD model.
Other Regions to Follow
As Europe phases out the Launch Series, other regions are expected to see similar changes. With the other models now revealed, owners in other regions have a better idea of whether they should buy the Launch Series or wait for the additional models to arrive.
Tesla naturally adjusts its offerings based on market demand, and if sales of the Launch Series remain strong in other parts of the world, Tesla will likely wait it out a little longer before offering the other models.