In a recent cache of documents obtained by Electric Autonomy through a freedom of information request, significant interactions between Ontario officials and Tesla representatives from 2020 to 2023 were revealed. With Tesla's growing interest in Canadian investment opportunities, the province of Ontario has shown keen interest in becoming a hub for EV production, backed by a series of promising factors.
Ontario's Pursuit of Tesla
Ontario officials, including the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli, and the Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, were in continuous contact with Tesla decision-makers. Even Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, was part of these interactions.
The documents reveal the provincial government's commitment to becoming an attractive destination for Tesla, highlighting the end-to-end EV battery supply chain, a talented workforce, R&D opportunities, mining opportunities, and a competitive manufacturing landscape.
An email from December 2022 states Canada's intention to subsidize EV battery production, indicating the country's ambition to be a central hub for future EV production.
Tesla's Interest in Canada
Tesla is considering Ontario for possible investment. The company's representatives have been closely watching other auto sector developments within the province and across the country.
A December 2022 email from Iain Myrans, national senior manager of public policy and development for Canada at Tesla, observes the multi-billion-dollar wave of investment in Ontario and Quebec and Canada's ranking as the #2 spot for battery materials processing and manufacturing.
Canada's Ministers Champagne and Fedeli have also shown a readiness to ensure a level playing field for Tesla's future investments.
Future Involvement and Collaboration
Tesla is exploring collaborations with Canadian universities and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network for connected and autonomous vehicle research. The government correspondence also reveals Tesla's support for talent development and career opportunities in Ontario's advanced manufacturing sector.
Recent events, such as an email to Canadian Tesla owners showcasing Tesla's impact on the Canadian economy, further demonstrate Canada's commitment to sustainability and align with Tesla's ambitions. Tesla's planned expansion to 10-12 Gigafactories globally opens the door for potential Canadian locations.
Musk Homecoming
Tesla's interest in Canada isn't just a matter of business strategy; it's personal for CEO Elon Musk, who is half-Canadian. His mother, Maye Musk, was born in Canada, and Musk holds Canadian citizenship. He spent part of his early years in Canada, attending Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania.
The connection to Canada is more than nostalgic; it aligns with the country's positioning as a hub for technological innovation and sustainable energy. Musk has openly mentioned Canada in several instances, expressing interest in the country's commitment to green energy, natural resources, and scientific research.
Musk's affinity for Canada could play a crucial role in Tesla's future investment decisions, and the recent interactions between Ontario officials and Tesla representatives seem to be leveraging this connection.
This personal connection, along with Canada's strategic positioning in the EV and battery manufacturing landscapes, makes Ontario an attractive option for Tesla's expansion, and the ongoing talks between the parties demonstrate a commitment to exploring these opportunities.
Tesla offers the ability to buy or lease their vehicles. However, leasing a vehicle came with a major shortcoming. Leasing a Tesla meant you couldn’t buy out your lease at the end of the contract. Instead, you were required to return the car to Tesla, leaving you the option of leasing another or purchasing a new vehicle.
For the first time in Tesla’s history, lease buyouts are being introduced for the Model 3 and Model Y and are returning for the Model S and Model X as well.
Lease buyout now available for new S3XY + @cybertruck leases in the US
Tesla’s social media team took to X to announce that the company is going to allow lease buyouts in the United States for the first time. As Tesla works with its financing partners, we expect this option to roll out to other regions too. These lease buyouts include all its vehicles, including the Cybetruck.
A lease buyout is an end-of-contract option that lets you purchase the vehicle for its residual value, allowing you to keep the car instead of returning it. It’s a great way to test-drive a car long-term, giving you the flexibility to decide if it’s the right fit before committing to ownership. For many new car buyers, it offers a lower-risk alternative to buying a vehicle outright, making it an attractive option for those seeking less upfront commitment.
Offer to be Extended to Current Leases
The price of the buyout is normally determined at the signing of the lease contract - rather than at the end of the lease. While Tesla initially said that the buyout of leases is only for new leases - that quickly changed. Tesla is confirming that end-of-lease clauses will become available for current leasees over the next few weeks. Leasees will be able to reach out directly through the Tesla app to get buyout quotes - or reach out to their financial institutions if the lease was done through a third-party financer.
If you’ve been hesitant to lease a Tesla due to the inability to buy it out, stay tuned—this teaser might just change the game. For many, it’s the final nudge needed to take the plunge and lease a new Tesla. With the added perks of the updated referral program and other incentives running right now, now is an excellent time to buy a new Tesla.
Tesla has been continuously improving and adding features to its Service Mode feature, and update 2024.44 is no exception.
Tesla also recently launched Service History for vehicles. With the new additions to Service Mode and price cuts to ToolBox 3 (TB3), their in-house service software, Tesla is really pushing Service accessibility.
If you’re interested in knowing more about Service Mode in general, check out our Guide to Service Mode.
Service Mode Improvements in 2024.44
This update introduces several new Service Mode features, so we’ll break down each new feature in Service Mode for 2024.44. Thanks to @max_bracco on X, who shared these photos with us.
Brakes Panel
The Brakes Panel has been updated to allow for the diagnosis of wheel speed sensors, which were previously only accessible in TB3 while physically connected to the vehicle. In addition, information on the Electronic Parking Brake, Electronic Stability Program and iBooster (Electromechanical Brake Booster) are now available in the Brakes Panel as well.
This new panel is under Chassis > Brakes and has multiple subpanels with brake details. This update is exclusive for the Cybertruck.
Brake Burnishing Update
Brake Burnishing is a process to help condition or break in your brakes, helping to make sure you’ll get optimal performance out of them. It can also be used as regular maintenance for an EV - because you’ll rarely use your friction brakes with Tesla’s one-pedal driving.
The update to Brake Burnishing will now allow you to continue performing this service task even if the vehicle goes into reverse. Previously, any UI, including the rear-view camera, popping up would cancel Brake Burnishing and close the service window - meaning you’d have to restart.
Placing the vehicle back in drive automatically resumes the service task, which makes it easier to do so in a smaller location.
This improvement applies to all vehicles, including legacy Model S and X.
Speakers Panel and Audio Test
A Speakers Panel has become available for some vehicles to help diagnose issues with any of the internal vehicle speakers. You’ll be able to play test tones through any selected speaker or set of speakers. This could be helpful to figure out if a speaker isn’t working properly or to diagnose a rattling speaker or subwoofer.
As part of the Audio Test, you can also play specific frequencies - helping to figure out what exactly is wrong with the speaker. Previously, you’d have to use TB3 to perform this test, so it's nice to see Tesla moving things to Service Mode and increasing accessibility for owners and third-party technicians.
This new speakers panel is only available for the 2024+ Model 3, and the Model Y with the AMD Ryzen infotainment processor.
SCCM Update
The Steering Wheel Control Column (or Yoke) has received updated graphics to correctly display what you’ve got equipped in your vehicle. You’ll also be able to initiate the steering wheel/yoke swap on a Model S or Model X in this UI as required, assuming you’re swapping them.
Previously, this feature was only accessible to Tesla’s Service Technicians or through a fairly complex procedure in TB3 that required outside scripting support - well beyond the knowledge and skills of most third-party technicians who aren’t intimately familiar with TB3. This makes the procedure something that can be done by the user at home - as long as you’re following the Service Manual carefully.
This is only applicable for the Model S and Model X. The Cybertruck has a special Steer-by-Wire panel in Service Mode.
Interior Lighting Diagnostics
Not a Tesla App
The last item to get added to Service Mode is an entirely new panel for testing the ambient lighting system, which is availablle for the new Model 3 and Cybertruck. This panel allows you to diagnose and repair the vehicle’s RGB lighting. It also allows you to view the health state and run an RGB lighting addressing routine, which is required when replacing some of the lighting strips.
Earlier this summer, Tesla also added a Battery Health Test to Service Mode.
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