Tesla recently launched software update 2025.8.3, which included a bunch of “minor updates.” Nestled away in the release notes are a couple of interesting features - including some major changes to the Energy App.
We’re not quite sure we’d call these minor updates, so let’s take a bit of an exploration of the revitalized Energy App.
The Energy App has received some new categorization features in the Consumption tab. You can once again limit the graph by distance. As part of the 2024 Holiday Update, Tesla redesigned the consumption tab and brought it to the new Model S and Model X for the first time. However, with the redesign, Tesla removed the ability to choose the distance shown in the graph, instead providing a static display of the last 200 miles (300km).
The first part of the improved Energy App is bringing back this distance filter. You can now choose between showing the last 10, 100, or 200 miles (15, 150, or 300 km). This differs from the previous available distances of 5, 15 and 30 miles, but brings back the ability for the driver to choose a distance that may be more applicable to how they’re driving.
We’d love for Tesla to introduce custom distances by pinching and zooming the graph or simply add the ability to choose “This Drive Only” to the list of available distances.
Reset Energy App History
@EV3_Model3 on X
Sadly, the “Instant Range” button that was available in the Energy App before is still not available, but Tesla introduced a new feature that may be even better. You can now clear your driving history so that the graph only reflects your current driving style.
This is a little hidden, but if you tap the little info icon at the top near your average Wh/mi, you’ll now be presented with a dialog that lets you clear your history.
This could be useful if you’ve just come from some hard driving on a track or off-road, where energy consumption could be exaggerated. It could also be useful if you just started towing or a different type of driving that is drastically different from your current driving.
Other Changes
In addition, it looks like future predictions of the Energy app now take into account your driving history and apply that in addition to expected vehicle consumption, weather, altitude, and the multitude of other factors that your Tesla constantly takes into account while calculating your expected range.
While these are smaller improvements to the Energy app, they added some important functionality, as it helps users better understand their vehicle consumption and display data that is more applicable to the current driving style.
This is a great example of Tesla listening to its customers and bringing back features they had previously been removed. Check out the video below by akide on the updated Energy app in update 2025.8.3.
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Sandy Munro once again had the opportunity to chat (video below) with Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, as well as Franz Von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Chief of Vehicle Design. This time, rather than focusing on the improvements to the refreshed Model Y and all the new engineering behind it, the focus was on Tesla’s autonomous ambitions.
In this case, the Cybercab and Robovan were the key highlights, with a distinct focus on the Cybercab. With that all said, let’s dig into all the fun new stuff. You can check out the entire video at the end of the article.
Cybercab Unboxed Process
The Cybercab will be the first of Tesla’s vehicles to use their new unboxed assembly process, which builds vehicles in parallel sections, and then brings them together all at once for final assembly. Traditionally, vehicles are assembled from the ground up, and sometimes even disassembled for parts of production to take place.
This innovative method involves using a big rear and front casting, brought together by a structural battery pack on the floor. The door rings are hot-stamped and laser-welded to form the side shell of the Cybercab, resulting in a very rigid structure that can also absorb crash impacts due to its unique manufacturing.
Paint-Free Panels
We’ve already talked about the Cybercab’s unique paint-free panels, but we’ve never heard until now exactly how Tesla intends to manufacture them. Tesla will inject colored PU plastic onto the backside of another plastic part (formed from various processes) and then ultrasonically weld that entire piece to an inner part.
That essentially combines multiple parts into one smooth piece that is easy to repair - because all you have to do is remove the entire panel - it just comes off as the interior fasteners are removed. There is no subframe holding it together - instead, the subframe is part of the panel.
The only area of the vehicle that will have any paint will be the hot-stamped door rings - which will be painted to improve corrosion resistance to protect the steel.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamically, the Cybercab boasts the largest aero-cover-to-wheel ratio of any Tesla vehicle. This updated aero cover improves efficiency, even with the Cybercab’s relatively large tires—chosen to reduce rolling resistance. Interestingly, the impact of unsprung weight on efficiency is minimal compared to the benefits of improved rolling resistance and aerodynamics.
Another key to the aerodynamics is the teardrop shape of the Cybercab itself. With its low profile and smooth shape, it is extremely aerodynamically efficient. While neither Sandy nor Lars delved into drag coefficients, we expect it will likely be more efficient than the Model 3’s already fantastic Cd of 0.219.
Range and Battery Pack
Tesla currently has prototypes undergoing real-world testing at Giga Texas to evaluate range and efficiency. The goal is to ensure the vehicle can operate throughout an entire day in the city before returning to charge.
Tesla is targeting a battery pack under 50kWh, delivering close to 300 miles of real-world range—an impressive efficiency of around 166Wh/mi, even outperforming the Model 3’s lowest at 181Wh/mi.
When Does It Arrive?
So, with all that new knowledge - when does the Cybercab arrive? Well - the prototypes for the June Robotaxi network deployment in Austin are getting prepared now - but Tesla expects to begin production and sales sometime in the first half of 2026.
During the Q4 2024 Earnings Call, Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla’s next-generation affordable vehicle is set to launch in the first half of 2025. Now, more than three months into 2025, Tesla may be just a few months away from unveiling their next-gen model.
Surprisingly, details remain scarce—no major leaks, early sightings, or concrete reveals. That hasn’t stopped speculation, though.
Project Redwood
Internally, Tesla refers to the project as Project Redwood, while externally, fans and skeptics alike have dubbed it the Model Q or Model 2. A Chinese tech outlet leaked some details back in December, suggesting a vehicle sized somewhere between a MINI and a Model 3.
That estimate aligns with expectations for Tesla’s compact, mass-market EV, but many questions remain. Where will Tesla build it? Will it share parts with other models? And when will customers finally get their hands on it?
We have some ideas on how to answer these questions—and more. Some of this information comes from past Tesla events, such as the “We, Robot” autonomy event and previous earnings calls.
As always, we’ll cite sources where possible and point out where we’re making informed guesses or speculating.
Based on the Cybercab
@DominicBRNKMN/X
Tesla plans to build the Cybercab and the next-generation vehicle at Giga Texas. Initially, both were slated for production at Giga Mexico, but with increased tariffs under the new administration, those plans fell through. As a result, the two vehicles will likely be built side by side, making it essential for Tesla to share as many components as possible.
Just as the Model 3 and Model Y, as well as the Model S and Model X, share numerous parts, the next-gen vehicle is expected to have a significant overlap with the Cybercab. Both are designed for inner-city travel and built with affordability in mind.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the next-gen vehicle will resemble the Cybercab. Instead, it will likely use similar components, such as a single lower-horsepower rear motor, a smaller battery pack, and a more compact frame. By streamlining parts production, Tesla can drive down costs to make both the Cybercab and the next-gen vehicle financially viable.
One key objective is ensuring that every Tesla product feels like a premium purchase—delivering more value than its price suggests. To achieve this, Tesla has been exploring new materials and innovative combinations to improve durability, design, and overall build quality, with the next-gen affordable vehicle being no exception.
Paint-Impregnated Panels
The Cybercab is using unique paint-impregnated plastic panels for its body shell—designed to be easy to produce, customize, and replace. The best part is that nicks and scratches are far less noticeable since the paint runs through the material. This makes repairs and replacements quick and hassle-free in case of accidental damage.
While the Cybercab will only come in the gold color we’ve seen, Tesla is expected to offer multiple variants and color options for the next-gen model. Given how striking the Cybercab’s base color already looks, there’s a strong potential for new finishes and textures unlike anything seen before.
City-Range
Not a Tesla App
At the We, Robot event, Tesla shared additional details about the Cybercab, and we used that information to estimate its battery size. Based on our findings, we estimate the battery pack to be between 51.6vkWh and 74.6vkWh, which would give the Cybercab an estimated range of 220 to 270 miles, assuming it achieves the 5.5 miles per kWh Tesla mentioned.
Tesla also confirmed during the Q3 2024 Earnings Call that the Cybercab will feature a more power-efficient powertrain, improving its efficiency over current models. This powertrain is likely to be shared with the next-gen model, meaning it will also see a lower miles per kW metric.
Wireless Charging
We don’t believe that Tesla will produce the next-gen model with wireless charging, like the Cybercab. Implementing wireless charging is expensive, and currently, the Cybercab is the only known vehicle capable of using it. The Cybertruck has the necessary receivers, but the feature hasn’t been implemented yet, but may be available as a retrofit.
Tesla has already said they plan to roll out wireless charging at select V4 Superchargers in the future, but these will likely be aimed at the Cybercab and Tesla’s other flagship models. This means that the upcoming Model S and Model X refresh could include wireless charging, but it may remain exclusive to higher-end models before trickling down to the rest of the lineup, due to cost.
Price
Tesla’s next-gen model has often been referred to as the “$25,000” model, however, we need to understand that was more than four years ago. Tesla has been mum on the price point of the vehicle, except for the $25k price tag that was shared back in 2021.
We believe Tesla will launch its next-gen vehicle for about $30k before any incentives. Once you account for gas savings and potential incentives, this car could sway a lot of customers due to price alone.
Release Date
Tesla previously hinted at a special event tied to its latest referral rewards system, which we believe may coincide with the unveiling of the next-gen affordable model.
With just a couple months left until until the midway point of 2025, it may not be long before we find out more details about this lower-cost vehicle.
We’re excited to cover the event in person, so if you’re considering buying a Tesla, don’t forget to check out our referral codes.
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