Tesla Introduces New Wall Connector With Magic Dock Type Solution

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla introduces the Universal Wall Connector with integrate J1772 adapter
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.

Giga Small Haus - A Demo Home Powered by Solar and Powerwall 3

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently showed off Giga Small Haus, an interesting new display project hosted at Giga Berlin. The small new house is located just outside the main entrance of Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory, with a Quicksilver Model Y parked inside.

Giga Small Haus is powered only by solar and Powerwall 3 - disconnected from the local grid and from Giga Berlin itself. It serves as a live demonstration of Tesla Solar and Tesla’s Powerwall battery backup.

Giga Small Haus

The centerpiece of the display is a Model Y in Quicksilver - a beautiful pick for a beautifully lit house. However, that’s not the real focus here - it's the Powerwall and Gateway on the wall.

The Powerwall is the focus of Giga Small Haus, and there’s a display with some additional information on the wall. Part of the display also includes a screen that displays the current output of the Powerwall itself versus the consumption of Giga Small Haus, as well as the input from solar.

The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
Not a Tesla App

The text on the exhibit is divided into several sections. Here’s a translated and edited version of what we can see from Tesla’s images. Some additional text is obscured. If someone visits Giga Small Haus, let us know.

Powerwall

Powerwall is a home battery system that stores energy from solar panels, the electrical grid, or during off-peak hours and powers your home during the day or during a power outage. 

With Powerwall, you can use self-generated solar energy during the day and night, thus avoiding high electricity costs. You can also store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during times of low production or power outages.

Key Features

Energy Storage: Powerwall stores excess energy from solar panels or the grid for later use or during power outages.

Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, Powerwall automatically switches to battery power to ensure continuous power supply.

Integration: Powerwall can be seamlessly integrated with existing solar systems and other power sources.

Scalability: Multiple Powerwalls can be installed to meet higher energy storage needs.

Smart Energy Management: Powerwall works with Tesla's software to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.

How Powerwall Works

Storage: During the day, when solar panels produce more energy than needed, the excess is stored in Powerwall.

Usage: At night or during times of low solar production, the stored energy is used to power the home, reducing reliance on the grid.

Backup: During a power outage, Powerwall automatically provides power to critical circuits, ensuring continuous operation of essential appliances.

Benefits

Cost Savings: By storing and using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills.

Reliability: Provides backup power during outages, ensuring your home remains powered.

Sustainability: Promotes the use of renewable energy by storing excess solar production for later use.

Overall, Giga Small Haus is an interesting real-life demo of what Powerwall and Solar can accomplish. It would be neat if Tesla built more of these displays - perhaps near major Delivery and Service Centers and at Giga Texas, Fremont, Giga Shanghai, and other facilities. Many Tesla owners have yet to learn about and experience some of Tesla’s Energy products.

Tesla Adds Acceleration Boost Option for 2024 Model 3

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Tesla has added the Acceleration Boost option to the Tesla store for owners of the 2024 Model 3 Long Range - specifically owners in Australia and China. Acceleration Boost is an upgrade that provides a significant performance boost, drastically narrowing the performance gap between the Long Range and Performance versions of the same model.

This upgrade will likely become available in Europe, Canada, and the United States in the next few days as Tesla updates its shops globally.

Acceleration Boost

This new Acceleration Boost is retailing for $3,000 AUD, or approximately $2,000 USD. That’s the same price for current owners of older Model 3 or Model Y Long Range vehicles, which all have the option to purchase Acceleration Boost through the shop.

The boost provides improved 0-100km/h (0-60mph) performance, bumping the 2024 Model 3 LR from 4.4s to 3.8s. The 2024 Performance version comes in at a blazing fast 2.9 seconds, so while it isn’t equivalent to just buying a performance variant in the first place, it is still a noticeable and significant upgrade.

Performance variants also come with a different front fascia vent for cooling, performance drive units, sport seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and Track Mode V3. That’s a significant number of additional features in the $10,000 USD price difference between the Long Range and Performance versions.

Should You Buy It?

If you’ve purchased a Long Range model and are itching to go just that little bit faster at every red light, this is the upgrade for you. It previously came with the cost of slightly reducing vehicle range, but the Tesla store doesn’t make a note of reduced range this time around. The 2023 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range models had an efficiency loss of about 5% due to the additional always-available acceleration and cooling. 

You could drive in Chill mode to mostly negate that efficiency loss, but what’s the fun in driving in Chill when you just got Acceleration Boost? Anyhow, the shop listing for the 2024 variant doesn’t include this detail, so it's possible Tesla may have worked some more engineering magic.

Overall, if you’ve got the $3,000 AUD burning a hole in your pocket, some Tesla referral credits sitting around, or just want to go faster, it's definitely an upgrade many users find valuable.

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