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.

Tesla to Allow Drivers to Display License Plates in Vehicle Visualization

By Karan Singh
Rendering of what Tesla's license plate feature could look like
Rendering of what Tesla's license plate feature could look like
Not a Tesla App

Tesla update 2024.38 has started rolling out to several regions and vehicles. Thanks to Tesla hacker Greentheonly, we have a behind-the-scenes look at some new features coming to Teslas.

License Plate Display

According to Greentheonly, it looks like Tesla may soon let you display your actual license plate in the vehicle’s visualization on the screen. In our article, The Most Request Tesla Features, several readers suggested displaying the vehicle’s license plate in the visualization instead of a blank, white plate.

It looks like Tesla will be doing just that, at least in China. Green found references that appear to conclude that you’ll be able to display your vehicle’s plate on screen. This will likely be user input, so you could have it say anything you’d like, and it doesn’t have to be your actual license plate.

For many owners, who may find it difficult to remember their license plate, this could serve a practical purpose in addition to adding to the visualization's realism.

While Green was only able to say it’ll be available in China, we expect this is due to China’s software development team working on it and that it’ll eventually be released worldwide.

We’ve seen several features originally released in China and later applied to everyone. Some of these include the Air Quality Index display, the trip meter that displays traffic along your route, and even the ability to change your vehicle’s color.

While code for this feature was found in update 2024.38, we may not be turned on in China yet. We suspect this feature may be a strong candidate for Tesla’s upcoming holiday update.

FSD Hardware Version Display

As part of the 2024.38 update, Tesla has now made it easy to determine whether your vehicle includes Hardware 3 or Hardware 4. You can now simply navigate to Controls > Software and tap Additional Vehicle Information. In addition to other hardware information about your vehicle, your Autopilot hardware version will now be listed as well.

You can see whether your vehicle has HW2.5, HW3, or AI4. This in-car display is useful, but if you don’t have access to the vehicle, you can always use our guide on how to determine the hardware version of a Tesla.

New Battery Health Test & Service Mode Improvements

Green found some additional things as well. There’s a new and improved Battery Health Test. The new test will show you how your car scores compared to similar vehicles in the Tesla fleet.

In addition, maintenance records can now be permanently stored “in the car.” It doesn’t appear that this feature is activated yet, but it’s likely in active development with some parts leaking out in the 2024.38 update.

Tesla has included various Service Mode improvements and new visualizations in this update.

Leaked Images of the Tesla Model Y Juniper Refresh

By Karan Singh
Mr Li on X

It’s been a while since we saw the last batch of leaked images of the Model Y Juniper refresh. That inspiring photo, alongside other images, set the blood of many concept artists on fire. We saw a ton of awesome concepts of Project Juniper, and now there are even more leaked images.

Mr Li on X came across some covered-up Project Juniper vehicles recently and he managed to get various shots of the vehicle.

Juniper Images

This front image reveals what looks like two rows of lights, possibly confirming the front light bar for the Model Y refresh — similar to the one on the Cybercab.

The rear side has a lot of lights on it!
The rear side has a lot of lights on it!
Mr Li on X

The rear side shows a ton of brake lights, but it’s not clear why. While it looks like the Model Y refresh will also feature a rear light bar similar to the Cybertruck, there isn’t strong evidence of that in this photo.

Mr Li on X

There's an obvious set of lights at the bottom, so it looks like the Model Y refresh will be similar to the new Model 3 where the bottom lights can operate as brake lights when the one-piece tail lights and trunk are up.

Mr Li on X

In the last photo, we see that the overall form factor of the refreshed Model Y will remain unchanged, and Tesla is focusing the changes on the front and rear ends of the vehicle, much like the Model 3 refresh. However, in this one shot, we can also see what appears to be red light leaking out of the rear camera cover opening, possibly due to the rear light bar.

The Model Y is not only Tesla’s best-selling vehicle but also the world’s best-selling car in 2023. This year, it’s expected to be the best-selling vehicle in the United States and again in the world, so this refresh will be huge for Tesla.

We expect most of the interior to remain the same as the Model 3 refresh, which saw substantial improvements in quality, noise reduction, and performance. Check out our wishlist of more things we hope to see in the Model Y refresh.

Dominic’s Concept

Dominic's Concept, in all its glory.
Dominic's Concept, in all its glory.
@DominicBRNKMN on X

@DominicBRNKMN made another fantastic set of concepts based on these new images. Given he had the most accurate Model 3 Highland concept before the official launch, we’re pretty sure his latest work be close here as well.

@DominicBRNKMN

We’re super excited to see the eventual reveal of Project Juniper, which is expected in the first half of 2025. However, expect to see a few more leaks before production kicks off at Giga Shanghai.

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