In a recent web post that was quickly taken down, Sirius has confirmed that SiriusXM is coming to vehicles in a future software update. This post went up on SiriusXM’s Canadian website, showing the steps needed to get the free trial running on your vehicle.
Streaming, not Satellite
This version of SiriusXM will be streaming and not dependent on satellites. That means a few things. First, that it’ll be available on more vehicles than just the Model S and Model X that have satellite radio receivers. It will also be available on the Model 3 and Model Y, as well as the Cybertruck.
Secondly, the streaming version of SiriusXM has more choices and content. The specific package that will be available is called SiriusXM 360L – which includes a full set of exclusive streaming channels, on-demand content, and live sports – all available by streaming data rather than over a satellite connection.
Its expected to require Premium Connectivity like Tesla’s other music services.
Pricing
It looks like SiriusXM 360L runs for $21.99 USD a month for their “All Access” package, while the more limited “Select” package is available for $16.99 a month right now.
However, based on the leaked webpage, streaming data to Teslas may only be available with their “Platinum” package, which is $28.80 USD per month. You’ll also be able to stream to devices including smartphones, smart devices, and computers with the same subscription.
Starting with a Demo
SiriusXM will offer new Tesla users a free trial of the Platinum package once you create and login to a SiriusXM account. It’ll be a 30 day demo to get you started, and includes everything available in the Platinum package.
The navigation flow to setup the Demo from SiriusXM's website.
Not a Tesla App
Satellite Streaming on the Model S and Model X
This doesn’t look like it will impact SiriusXM satellite radio on the Model S and Model X at this time – and we’re not quite sure how the implementation will function once internet streaming radio arrives. It’s possible Tesla may consider them separate apps in the vehicle, SiriusXM Streaming and SiriusXM radio.
As it stands, you can use SiriusXM Satellite Radio when you’re out of cellular signal range on the Model S and Model X – due to the hardware SiriusXM receiver in the vehicles.
Going forward, with the implementation of internet streaming SiriusXM, the Model S and Model X may also lose their SiriusXM satellite receivers. Tesla has consistently been a proponent of “no part is the best part”, and this also comes in line with many of the other cost-cutting measures that the company has taken in order to simplify the construction of their vehicles.
These satellite receivers are fairly expensive as well. SiriusXM sells standalone units meant to plug into an Aux jack for about $60 USD. That’s a significant cost that Tesla could cut from its vehicles, especially since most users may prefer to use services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or Amazon Music today.
Either way, another streaming option is fantastic to see in Tesla’s continually growing streaming repository. We’re not quite sure when this will arrive and show up your Tesla, but we’d expect it to arrive sometime before the end of this year.
As with all Tesla updates, a slew of smaller features often go undocumented. If you’re anything like us, you love to know all the little changes in a release.
Below are all of the changes that were included in Tesla update 2024.26 but didn’t make it to the official release notes.
Show Next Preconditioning / Charging Event
If you have scheduled a preconditioning or charging event, Tesla will now show you the next event that will take place.
An event to precondition the cabin will appear at the climate screen's top right corner. If you have set a charging schedule, your next charge time will now show up in the charging menu under Controls > Charging.
Hide Music Services Per Profile
Not a Tesla App
When you hide a music service, the music service/app will no longer show up in the all apps menu. Music search will also not display results for services you have hidden.
With this update, Tesla now saves hidden music services per driver profile. This allows a driver to hide any services they don't use while making them accessible to other drivers.
Your audio balance that controls how much sound goes to each speaker is now saved per driver profile. This allows each driver to save their own preferred listening preferences.
You can set your audio system's balance by tapping on the audio levels icon in the music player and choosing Balance.
Service Center Tips
Not a Tesla App
If you have a Service Center appointment, your Tesla will now display tips on screen when you arrive at your appointment.
The tips will remind you that you can see your service appointment status and review your summary in the Tesla app.
Reduce Fan Speed Hint
Not a Tesla App
As Tesla points out in 'Other Updates,' they have improved the the climate menu by simplifying the screen by removing certain options when they're unavailable and reshuffling buttons around to make them easier to access for drivers and passengers.
Reduce Fan Speed Option
Not a Tesla App
When in Auto, the fan speed may now automatically lower to reduce the sound of ambient noise during a phone call.
This feature can temporarily be turned off under Controls > Bluetooth if you need to prioritize cooling or heating the cabin.
New Key Required Screen
Not a Tesla App
This update introduces a new key-required screen when you try to perform an action that requires a key and there isn't one nearby.
Improved Front Camera Clarity
Not a Tesla App
Video post-processing is now applied to the front camera for hardware 3-based vehicles.
With this update, Tesla appears to now be applying the same techniques to the vehicle's front-facing cameras.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control Chime
Not a Tesla App
In Tesla update 2021.40, Tesla added the option to receive an audio alert when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is enabled.
This was an option that could be turned on or off under Controls > Autopilot > Traffic-Aware Cruise Control Chime, however, with update 2024.26, this option has now been removed. With this update, TACC will always chime when the feature is engaged or disengaged.
New Ambient Lighting Options
Greggertruck/X
There are now additional options for your vehicle's ambient lighting. Under Controls > Lights, you can now control the brightness of the vehicle's accent lights. In addition, you can choose for the accent lights to only turn on when the vehicle detects dim conditions outside.
If you’ve seen any other changes in update 2024.26, be sure to let us know.
Over the weekend, Elon Musk commented on a post about electric buses in Norway – and confirmed that Tesla doesn’t intend to build electric buses.
Let’s examine the context of the comment and then see what we know about Tesla’s future plans.
Norwegian Electric Buses
Norway launched a set of electric buses last year, which struggled to perform their routes in the cold winters. As many know, EVs tend to lose range at colder temperatures as some energy is used to keep the battery warm. Some of this energy use can be offset by preconditioning the battery and the cabin and using bigger batteries in colder regions.
These Norwegian buses, the Urbino series built by Solaris, have batteries that are too small to operate on the routes planned by Norway’s transport services in the winter. Heating the massive cabins takes too much energy, which isn’t too big of a surprise.
What’s most interesting is that these Solaris buses are heated with a heat pump—which is still hyper-efficient. Sadly, the battery is just too small, and Norway’s transport services didn’t account for the loss in efficiency in the winter months. Depending on ambient temperatures and the exact route, that could be anywhere from a 5% to a 30% reduction in range.
Instead, Norway intends to install mini diesel generators to power the cabin heating – thereby making these buses into hybrids rather than pure EVs. This is an interesting move – especially as Norway is a leader in the EV transition, with a 92% pure EV market share for new vehicles.
Tesla and Electric Buses
Elon’s confirmation that EV buses aren’t needed comes on the heels of some other super-important statements. He confirms that Teslas – in particular – can handle operating well even above the Arctic Circle. This is especially true after the Cybertruck Arctic Expedition where two Cybertrucks traveled all the way to the Arctic Ocean.
What’s key here is that Elon is implying that when Tesla rolls out Unsupervised FSD, there won’t be a need for buses. Instead, people needing a transportation option in urban areas can look forward to using a Robotaxi to get around in warmth. He has previously mentioned that we can expect the price of a Robotaxi fare to rival the cost of a bus ticket.
While traditional taxis are less efficient pound-for-pound in transporting people and reducing traffic, Robotaxis on the other hand have the option to reduce traffic by intelligently speaking to the fleet, analyzing traffic patterns, and autonomously adjusting their routes to best fit the destination.
Tesla also didn’t have anything nearly bus-shaped in their investor decks, so this seems to be in-line with their long-term goals. We can likely expect a commercial van though, so there’s plenty to look forward to.
All in all, Tesla won’t need an EV bus – instead, they’ll just produce a few more Robotaxis to make sure one is available to pick up passengers. Speaking of Robotaxi – the event is coming up very soon! We just saw a camouflaged prototype, and sign-ups for the Robotaxi Event draw just ended.
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