Tesla app may load vehicle data instantly in an upcoming update

By Nuno Cristovao
You may soon be able to view your vehicle's range instantly
You may soon be able to view your vehicle's range instantly

Today Tesla updated their iOS app to version 4.8. In this update Tesla added back the ability to manage your vehicle's lease.

Tesla also introduced the ability to view the status and updates for service requests related to Tesla energy services.

Features Under Development

However, there were several other underlying changes to the app for features that are currently in development.

Tesla now allows the ability to charge compatible non-Tesla vehicles at select Superchargers in some regions (why this is a smart move).

However, the Superchargers list displayed in the app currently doesn't offer a way to filter by non-Tesla compatible stations. It appears that Tesla will soon offer this as a feature in the app.

Another feature that Tesla is working on is the ability to transfer car ownership directly in the app. This feature will arrive in a future update, but some of the underlying code is already there.

Instant Vehicle Data

However, agruably one of the biggest features to the Tesla app appears to now be under development.

In the future, the Tesla app may be able to instantly display information about your vehicle. If this development comes to fruition, you will no longer have to wait for your vehicle to wake up before being able to view the car's range or state of charge. This information will be displayed almost once you open the app.

New cached API may allow Tesla to reduce waiting time when opening the app
New cached API may allow Tesla to reduce waiting time when opening the app

A new API found in this update will allow the app to retrieve cached vehicle data. Your car will send information to Tesla in the same manner it does today, but it will now do it automatically before falling asleep.

This change could allow for several big improvements.

Instant Data

The app could use this new API to display the latest vehicle data without having to wake up the vehicle first.

This means that once you open the Tesla app, you'll instantly have the latest battery state of charge, vehicle range, open door/window information, odometer reading and everything else, all without having to wait for the vehicle to wake up first.

Less Phantom Drain

This change will allow the vehicle to sleep longer, therefore reducing the vehicle's energy consumption, often referred to as phantom drain.

When this feature is ready to go live, Tesla will likely not wake up the vehicle every time the app is opened.

Today the Tesla app is used for much more than just vehicle information. We have charging statistics, insurance informaiton, Tesla Solar, Tesla service and more.

Waking up the vehicle every time the app is opened causes unnecessary energy lose.

Since the latest vehicle data will be displayed in the app without the need to wake up your vehicle, Tesla will likely wait for the owner to issue a command, such as turning on the climate system, before waking up the car.

Having your car data appear as soon as you open the app will be a huge improvement. It's very much a first world problem, but the instant access to your car's information will make the app much more useful.

Tesla to Allow Drivers to Display License Plates in Vehicle Visualization

By Karan Singh
Rendering of what Tesla's license plate feature could look like
Rendering of what Tesla's license plate feature could look like
Not a Tesla App

Tesla update 2024.38 has started rolling out to several regions and vehicles. Thanks to Tesla hacker Greentheonly, we have a behind-the-scenes look at some new features coming to Teslas.

License Plate Display

According to Greentheonly, it looks like Tesla may soon let you display your actual license plate in the vehicle’s visualization on the screen. In our article, The Most Request Tesla Features, several readers suggested displaying the vehicle’s license plate in the visualization instead of a blank, white plate.

It looks like Tesla will be doing just that, at least in China. Green found references that appear to conclude that you’ll be able to display your vehicle’s plate on screen. This will likely be user input, so you could have it say anything you’d like, and it doesn’t have to be your actual license plate.

For many owners, who may find it difficult to remember their license plate, this could serve a practical purpose in addition to adding to the visualization's realism.

While Green was only able to say it’ll be available in China, we expect this is due to China’s software development team working on it and that it’ll eventually be released worldwide.

We’ve seen several features originally released in China and later applied to everyone. Some of these include the Air Quality Index display, the trip meter that displays traffic along your route, and even the ability to change your vehicle’s color.

While code for this feature was found in update 2024.38, we may not be turned on in China yet. We suspect this feature may be a strong candidate for Tesla’s upcoming holiday update.

FSD Hardware Version Display

As part of the 2024.38 update, Tesla has now made it easy to determine whether your vehicle includes Hardware 3 or Hardware 4. You can now simply navigate to Controls > Software and tap Additional Vehicle Information. In addition to other hardware information about your vehicle, your Autopilot hardware version will now be listed as well.

You can see whether your vehicle has HW2.5, HW3, or AI4. This in-car display is useful, but if you don’t have access to the vehicle, you can always use our guide on how to determine the hardware version of a Tesla.

New Battery Health Test & Service Mode Improvements

Green found some additional things as well. There’s a new and improved Battery Health Test. The new test will show you how your car scores compared to similar vehicles in the Tesla fleet.

In addition, maintenance records can now be permanently stored “in the car.” It doesn’t appear that this feature is activated yet, but it’s likely in active development with some parts leaking out in the 2024.38 update.

Tesla has included various Service Mode improvements and new visualizations in this update.

Leaked Images of the Tesla Model Y Juniper Refresh

By Karan Singh
Mr Li on X

It’s been a while since we saw the last batch of leaked images of the Model Y Juniper refresh. That inspiring photo, alongside other images, set the blood of many concept artists on fire. We saw a ton of awesome concepts of Project Juniper, and now there are even more leaked images.

Mr Li on X came across some covered-up Project Juniper vehicles recently and he managed to get various shots of the vehicle.

Juniper Images

This front image reveals what looks like two rows of lights, possibly confirming the front light bar for the Model Y refresh — similar to the one on the Cybercab.

The rear side has a lot of lights on it!
The rear side has a lot of lights on it!
Mr Li on X

The rear side shows a ton of brake lights, but it’s not clear why. While it looks like the Model Y refresh will also feature a rear light bar similar to the Cybertruck, there isn’t strong evidence of that in this photo.

Mr Li on X

There's an obvious set of lights at the bottom, so it looks like the Model Y refresh will be similar to the new Model 3 where the bottom lights can operate as brake lights when the one-piece tail lights and trunk are up.

Mr Li on X

In the last photo, we see that the overall form factor of the refreshed Model Y will remain unchanged, and Tesla is focusing the changes on the front and rear ends of the vehicle, much like the Model 3 refresh. However, in this one shot, we can also see what appears to be red light leaking out of the rear camera cover opening, possibly due to the rear light bar.

The Model Y is not only Tesla’s best-selling vehicle but also the world’s best-selling car in 2023. This year, it’s expected to be the best-selling vehicle in the United States and again in the world, so this refresh will be huge for Tesla.

We expect most of the interior to remain the same as the Model 3 refresh, which saw substantial improvements in quality, noise reduction, and performance. Check out our wishlist of more things we hope to see in the Model Y refresh.

Dominic’s Concept

Dominic's Concept, in all its glory.
Dominic's Concept, in all its glory.
@DominicBRNKMN on X

@DominicBRNKMN made another fantastic set of concepts based on these new images. Given he had the most accurate Model 3 Highland concept before the official launch, we’re pretty sure his latest work be close here as well.

@DominicBRNKMN

We’re super excited to see the eventual reveal of Project Juniper, which is expected in the first half of 2025. However, expect to see a few more leaks before production kicks off at Giga Shanghai.

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