All Tesla models in Europe either have a CCS or the older Type 2 charge ports instead of Tesla's proprietary port. This lets Tesla owners charge at a variety of charging locations. It also made it easier for Tesla to open up their Superchargers to other vehicles with the CCS standard without having to make any hardware changes.
Tesla to release a CCS adapter in the US soon
In the US, Tesla still releases cars with their own charge port. This could be a problem in the future as more third-party chargers become available and Tesla owners aren't able to use them.
Tesla recently created and released an adapter that goes from CCS to Tesla's connection, allowing you to use CCS-based chargers. The adapter is available now in South Korea and is said to be launching in North America soon.
Does Your Car Support It?
However, it looks like not all Tesla's will be able to support CCS charging due to hardware requirements.
In software update 2021.40, Tesla now shows additional information about your car. If you go to Controls > Software and tap Additional Vehicle Information, Tesla will now show you two additional details that weren't exposed before.
One is which cellular bands your car is capable of connecting to. Some cars before 2016 can only connect to 2G and 3G networks. With AT&T shutting down their 3G service early next year, these cars will be left without a cellular connection, unless owners opt for an upgrade.
The next new bit of information will show whether your car will support Tesla's CCS adapter. The screen shows ‘CCS adapter support' and then shows whether the hardware required for the adapter is installed in your vehicle or not.
Tesla displays whether your car supports its CCS adapter
Paul Quinnell/Facebook
In Europe or Model 3 vehicles already come standard with a CCS charge port so there's no adapter necessary for them. However, for Model S and Model X vehicles, Tesla states that they will support the CCS adapter if they were built after May 1, 2019.
According to Paul Quinnell who received the update and drives a 2018 Model 3 in Canada, his car does not have support for the adapter.
Adapter and Retrofit Costs
If your car isn't support then Tesla can upgrade your car for about $340 USD in Europe. Tesla is expected to offer a similar service in the US. The price includes the CCS adapter itself.
For vehicles that can support the CCS adapter directly, the adapter can be bought directly from Tesla in the future. It currently costs about $250 USD in South Korea and could be slightly cheaper when it's released in the US.
Future of Tesla Charging
It's not clear whether Tesla is planning to switch to an all CCS solution in the future, where future cars will come with CCS ports and Superchargers will have CCS cables, or whether Tesla is simply getting owners ready for non-Tesla charging solutions.
As more electric vehicles are released and become the norm rather than the exception in the future, there will be more charging locations and Tesla simply won't be able to be everywhere. Giving owners the ability to charge at any charging location with the common CCS adapter will make sure that Tesla owners are not at a disadvantage.
In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, confirmed that the new Model Y will feature adaptive headlights.
The big question is: will these adaptive headlights be available at launch in North America? And how do they compare to full matrix headlights in terms of implementation? While Tesla has already introduced adaptive headlights in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the feature has yet to make its way to North America.
Originally delayed in the U.S. due to regulatory issues, manufacturers have been able to implement adaptive headlights since mid-2024. Meanwhile, competitors like Rivian and Mercedes-Benz have already rolled out their own full matrix headlight systems, matching what’s available in other regions.
Currently, Tesla in North America supports adaptive high beams and automatic headlight adjustment for curves, but full matrix functionality has yet to be rolled out. Meanwhile, matrix headlights are already available in Europe, where they selectively dim individual beam pixels to reduce glare for oncoming traffic and adapt to curves in the road.
It was surprising that matrix functionality wasn’t included in the comprehensive 2024 Tesla Holiday Update. This feature would likely improve safety ratings, so we can only assume Tesla is diligently working to secure regulatory approval.
Adaptive Headlights on Other Models
Lars didn’t confirm whether the refreshed Model Y comes with matrix-capable headlights, but it’ll likely follow suit with what was added to the new Model 3 and, more recently, the Cybertruck.
If the headlights are the same ones available on the new Model 3 and Cybertruck, then we can expect the adaptive headlights feature to quickly roll out to other models as well.
Looks like we’ll have to wait and see for now, but with deliveries starting in North America next month, it shouldn’t be too long before we know for sure.
For the first time since launching Tesla Insurance in 2019, Tesla will begin underwriting its own policies, starting in California.
Tesla Insurance originally debuted in California and has since expanded to several U.S. states. Until now, policies were underwritten by State National, a subsidiary of the Markel Insurance Group. However, Tesla is now transitioning to fully in-house underwriting, beginning with its home state.
As part of this shift, California Tesla Insurance customers who receive an in-app offer to switch will be eligible for a one-time 3% discount on their next term’s premium—covered entirely by Tesla Insurance.
What is Underwriting
Underwriting is the process an insurance company uses to assess risk and determine whether to offer coverage, at what price, and under what terms.
Insurers evaluate factors such as driving history, credit score, age, vehicle type, and location. In Tesla’s case, vehicle driving data (not available in California) also plays a key role in risk assessment. These factors help classify drivers into risk categories, which influence their base premium.
From there, coverage limits, deductibles, and policy inclusions or exclusions can further adjust the final premium up or down.
Robotaxi and Other Benefits
At first glance, underwriting insurance might seem like a complex and costly process for Tesla. However, there are several compelling reasons why this move makes sense.
Insurance Income: Insurance is a highly profitable industry. Companies set rates based on risk, offering lower premiums to safer drivers and higher rates to riskier ones. This not only maximizes profitability but also incentivizes safer driving behavior, reducing overall claims.
Data Advantage: Tesla collects vast amounts of driving data through its Safety Score system. While California doesn’t allow Safety Score to impact premiums, Tesla can still use this data in the underwriting process to refine risk assessments and pricing for its vehicles.
Control Over Repair Costs: By underwriting its own policies, Tesla gains direct control over repairs and total loss decisions. This allows them to dictate when, where, and how repairs are done, optimizing costs for parts, labor, and service while ensuring vehicles are fixed according to Tesla’s standards.
FSD-Driven Discounts: Tesla has already begun offering insurance discounts for drivers using Full Self-Driving (FSD). By underwriting its own policies, Tesla could expand these incentives, potentially offering greater discounts to frequent FSD users in the future.
Preparing for Robotaxi: Perhaps the biggest long-term reason for this shift is the June launch of the Robotaxi fleet. How will Tesla insure these vehicles? The answer is simple—by underwriting its own policies and assuming liability.
Tesla’s decision to underwrite its own insurance isn’t just about cutting out middlemen—it’s a step toward lowering costs, increasing profitability, and preparing for the future of autonomous driving, a risk many insurance companies may be unwilling to make.
Further Expansion
This could be a strong sign that Tesla is preparing to expand its insurance offerings now that it has taken on the underwriting process itself. In July 2024, Tesla hired a former GEICO insurance executive to lead the expansion of Tesla Insurance and help reduce costs—a move that now appears to be paying off.
Rather than a traditional expansion, Tesla has instead made a bold move by bringing underwriting in-house, something few expected. However, it aligns with Tesla’s strategy of vertically integrating and controlling key aspects of its business, whether in manufacturing, software, or now, insurance.
If this pilot program proves successful, it could pave the way for Tesla Insurance to launch in more states—and potentially even other countries. With 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year, we may see Tesla accelerate its insurance expansion sooner than expected.
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