Tesla has begun construction of its diner and drive-in Supercharger combo
@HowardModels
Tesla's innovative Supercharger site, which promises to fuse a diner and drive-in movie theater into the charging experience, is swiftly moving from vision to reality in Hollywood. Images posted by @HowardModels/X show vertical construction and groundwork signaling the initial phases of a unique Tesla ecosystem.
Innovative Amalgamation: Fusing Retro Flair with Futuristic Charging
Imagine pulling up to charge your Tesla, and instead of scrolling through your phone, you are whisked away into a cinematic experience reminiscent of 1950s Americana but powered by cutting-edge technology. This isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's a leap into a new paradigm where sustainability meets showbiz.
Located at the coveted 7001 W. Santa Monica Boulevard address, this site is not just another pin on the map of Tesla's extensive Supercharger network. It's set to become a cultural fixture offering a throwback diner experience and modern-day drive-in theater. The two-story restaurant will cater to 218 diners, with the added allure of a rooftop seating area where patrons can take in movies on towering LED screens, blending nostalgia with Tesla's high-tech brand.
What began as Elon Musk's ambitious idea in 2018 is now rapidly taking shape. The planned facilities, open 24/7, will offer Tesla drivers and the public a place to recharge in more ways than one. With 32 Supercharger stalls and constant short video broadcasts, Tesla is setting the stage for what could become the most memorable charging stop yet.
Entertainment Charging: A Destination in Itself
Tesla has begun construction of its diner and drive-in Supercharger combo
Tesla
This Supercharger station is designed to be more than a mere waypoint. It is a token of Tesla's mission to enhance the EV ownership experience by offering drivers a place to relax and engage in an era when time spent at charging stations is an expected part of the journey. The site not only promises efficiency but also a refreshing entertainment twist to the otherwise mundane waiting times.
As the construction of this pioneering project continues, it encapsulates the spirit of Tesla's commitment to innovation. This isn't just about expanding infrastructure; it's about reimagining the future of EV charging stations. With every steel beam erected and every concrete slab poured Tesla is crafting a landmark that marries leisure with the lure of sustainable technology.
The Hollywood Supercharger is poised to redefine the norms of electric vehicle charging, making it an exciting and enjoyable pit stop that might become a social and cultural hub for Tesla enthusiasts and movie-goers alike.
Early November progress pics to Tesla Diner site. Vertical concrete structure, underground utilities being worked on. pic.twitter.com/XnOhmPSMEj
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.
