Tesla introduces the Universal Wall Connector with integrate J1772 adapter
Not a Tesla App
Tesla is set to launch a Universal Wall Connector this October. This isn't just another product in the Tesla store; it's a charging solution designed to bridge the divide between Tesla owners and the wider EV community.
A Glimpse of the Future: NACS Transition and Industry Alignment
The key to this bridging is integrating the J1772 connector standard, the current go-to specification for charging non-Tesla electric vehicles in North America. Yet, this move also aligns with a significant industry shift. Ford, Fisker, GM, Mercedes, Nissan, Polestar, Rivian, and Volvo have announced their intentions to adopt Tesla's North America Charging Standard (NACS). While some automakers transition towards NACS, they still need time to convert, and several non-Tesla EVs are already on the road utilizing J1772.
By incorporating the J1772 standard, Tesla's Universal Wall Connector provides a bridge solution. It caters to Tesla owners and anyone driving an electric vehicle that uses J1772.
Universal Wall Connector in Action
The solution is similar to Tesla's Magic Dock for Superchargers, which allows customers to seamlessly switch between a CCS 1 connector and Tesla's NACS connector. This new Wall Connector will enable owners to charge their current vehicles with the included J1172 adapter and be prepared for future EVs that may utilize the NACS connector. This compatibility ensures a smoother transition for automakers moving from J1772 to NACS.
Versatility and Connectivity: Features of the Universal Wall Connector
The implications of this move are noteworthy. Traditionally, Tesla and non-Tesla EV owners had to rely on different charging solutions, often leading to inconvenience and added costs. Tesla's latest product, however, erases this division. It offers a charging solution that provides up to 44 miles of range per hour through an 11.5 kW/48-amp output, suitable for both Tesla and non-Tesla EVs, matching the current Gen-3 Wall Connector output.
Flexibility is another strong point of the Universal Wall Connector. Its design suits various locations, from homes to commercial properties. Owners can monitor and manage charging schedules through the Tesla app, and its Wi-Fi connectivity ensures easy updates and remote diagnostics.
Priced at $595 in the USA and $785 in Canada, the Universal Wall Connector doesn't just score points for inclusivity; it's a competitively priced offering in the charging market.
Integrating the J1772 standard into the Universal Wall Connector reflects Tesla's understanding of the current and future landscape of EV charging. It positions the product as a forward-thinking solution that recognizes major automakers' gradual transition towards NACS. Tesla's Universal Wall Connector is an intelligent response in a market moving towards standardization and interconnectivity, symbolizing a commitment to an electric future that caters to all.
Last night, Tesla released software update 2024.45.25.15, which includes FSD V12.6.1. This update adds support for all HW3 vehicles, including the Model 3 and Model Y. We’re excited to see the continued support for HW3 owners.
FSD V12.6.1
V12.6.1 is now going wide, according to Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s VP of AI. This update is going to the Model 3 and Model Y for the first time - as only the Model S and Model X were included in FSD V12.6.
V12.6 is a big step forward for HW3 - it includes End-to-End on Highway, Improved City Streets Behavior, and Smoother and More Accurate Tracking - all contributing towards a better, smoother, and more comfortable build of FSD. You can read our comparison between FSD V12.6 and V13.2.2 here.
In short, FSD V12.6 performs considerably closer to V13 than V12.5.4.2 - which is a massive improvement. It performs as well as the Cybertruck version of FSD V13, which is still missing a few features when compared to other HW4 vehicles, but it’s a great sign for HW3. A lot of the improvements can be pointed to in the improvements to lane selection and decision-making - the vehicle tends to hesitate far less on V12.6, meaning the ride is a lot smoother. Many early V12.6 testers mentioned that it felt more like V13-mini than anything else.
Legacy Model S & X
We haven’t seen this update hit any legacy Model S and Model X vehicles just yet. We’re not sure whether Ashok’s statement of “generally” applies here - but it should. If you do get the update, please let us know.
Legacy Model S and Model X vehicles are still on an older FSD build and potentially won’t see another FSD update for a little while longer. While they do have the same FSD hardware as other vehicles, there are enough hardware differences that require a build specifically for these vehicles.
FSD V12.6.1 is going out now to the redesigned Model S and X with HW3 and all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with HW3. The initial wave went out last night, and we expect to see more later today or tomorrow. If this release ends up going “wide,” we should see much larger waves go out next week.
Tesla has issued a recall for some vehicles due to issues linked to a revision of the Hardware 4 (HW4) computer that was introduced this past November. This recall affects all vehicles with the revised hardware except for the Cybertruck, as it uses a slightly modified version of the HW4 system.
Many vehicle owners have reported a complete failure of their Autopilot computer, which not only leaves the vehicle without FSD and Autopilot but also disables many of the active safety features that make a Tesla what it is.
Let’s take a look at this recall - because the recall is partially physical and partially a software recall.
HW4 Failure
Tesla has identified the failure and flagged it to the U.S. NHTSA (but not Transport Canada or Euro NCAP at the time of publishing) as a recall.
Tesla mentions that the vehicle’s FSD computer circuit board may short circuit, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. The recall itself is focused on the rearview camera - as not having a functional rearview camera breaks a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. However, it does impact more than just the rearview camera.
As previously mentioned, users have experienced the full loss of Autopilot and FSD on these vehicles, as well as reduced traction control and removal of safety features such as automatic emergency braking, collision avoidance assist, and forward collision warnings.
While the vehicle remains driveable, it is not necessarily a good idea to drive the vehicle with many of these features, especially with the reduced traction control noted by many people. We’ve already noted that while Tesla has been sending tow trucks to pick up some vehicles, it is also prompting owners to drive the vehicle to their service center in some cases.
Remedy
Unlike most of Tesla’s recalls, this one isn’t entirely an OTA recall, owing to the fact that people have already experienced circuit board shorts and are already waiting for replacements.
The software portion of the recall has already been mostly completed for any vehicles with Tesla software update 2024.45.25.3 or greater. However, a significant portion of the tracked fleet remains on update 2024.44.25.2 (approximately 20%), so we recommend updating your HW4 vehicle whenever you receive the notification.
On the hardware side, Tesla is immediately identifying and replacing hardware that has had circuit board failure. Tesla is also reaching out to customers who have expressed intermittent issues with Autopilot features, active safety features, or vehicle cameras that don't display correctly. If you have experienced any of these issues in a late 2024 vehicle, we recommend submitting a service ticket with Tesla to ensure that your vehicle isn’t affected by this recall.
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