Tesla Model 3 AWD found to be least stolen vehicle in the US

A report from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HDLI) for 2022 revealed something quite interesting about vehicle thefts in the United States. Among the vehicles that were tracked by the HDLI, the Tesla Model 3 AWD was revealed to be the car that’s the least stolen in the US. 

The HDLI listed each vehicle that was included in its analysis with a relative claim frequency (RCF) score, which is based on how many individual cars are insured versus how many stolen claims were filed to the specific vehicle. As per the HDLI’s data, the Tesla Model 3 AWD is the vehicle with the lowest RCF score.

Credit: HDLI

A table summarizing the HDLI’s study shows that the Tesla Model 3 AWD has an RCF score of 3 with 3 claims. The Model 3 AWD was followed by the Model Y AWD, which was listed with an RCF score of 3 and 5 claims. Other Teslas also ranked in the HDLI’s least stolen vehicles list, such as the Tesla Model X AWD (RCF score of 8 with 2 claims), the Tesla Model 3 RWD (RCF score of 9 with 6 claims), and the Tesla Model S AWD (RCF score of 15 with 4 claims). 

On the other end of the spectrum is the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, which was listed with an RCF score of 6,128 and 196 claims. The Dodge Charger HEMI followed right behind with an RCF score of 2,197 and 712 claims. The Honda CR-V 4WD is also notable as it was listed with an RCF score of 409 and a rather extensive 1,141 claims. 

Credit: HDLI

The low RCF scores of Tesla’s electric vehicles may be due to a variety of factors, though one should note that the company’s electric vehicles are very difficult to steal to begin with. Every Tesla has the capability to connect to the internet, so tracing the vehicles is typically not an issue. Safety features such as PIN to Drive also make it difficult to operate a Tesla without the owner’s credentials. 

The difficulties of stealing a Tesla were highlighted in a story involving a Tesla Model S back in April 2019. The vehicle was part of a rental fleet in Canada, and it was rented out to a client who then proceeded to get the Model S shipped abroad. The all-electric sedan was retrieved during a layover in Italy in a dramatic rescue that involved the cooperation of INTERPOL and the Italian police. Throughout its journey, the owners of the Model S were able to trace the vehicle, even when it was at sea. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Tesla Model 3 AWD found to be least stolen vehicle in the US

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Tesla Model 3 Highland deliveries begin in Germany

It appears that Tesla has begun delivering its refreshed Model 3 “Highland” in Germany, as shown in a new set of pictures.

On Saturday, X account Planwerk shared images of what seems to be the first Model 3 refresh delivery in Germany, with a Tesla showroom and service center seen in the background. The redesigned Model 3 is seen in the automaker’s midnight silver metallic paint, with shots from multiple angles.

According to the post, the first delivery took place at the Tesla store in Bielefeld, Germany, and the photos in the post were reportedly taken by a person tagged in the post and images as “bei i3sMichael”.

The pictures also show the Model 3’s Aero Wheels, while the vehicle is plugged in and charging outside the Bielefield service center.

The news kicks off Tesla’s first deliveries of the Model 3 Highland in Germany after the vehicle was spotted being unveiled in France earlier this month. The vehicle is built at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai, China, and huge batches of the car have been spotted being shipped from the facility over the last couple of months.

The vehicle has also been shown off in Italian showrooms this and last month, following its long-awaited launch in several Asian, European and other markets. Initial deliveries of the Model 3 Highland in China are also slated for the end of this month, though the refreshed sedan hasn’t yet been launched in North America.

The Model 3 Highland includes simplified exterior and interior features, including a redesigned set of headlights, ambient dashboard lighting and more.

Tesla Model 3 Highland gets stellar first reviews

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla Model 3 Highland deliveries begin in Germany

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Tesla Cybertruck will equip 800v architecture for faster charging times, better margins

Tesla Cybertruck will equip an 800-volt architecture when it begins deliveries on November 30, an announcement that is still fresh from the company’s Earnings Call earlier this week.

For EV newbies, the 800-volt architecture may not be much of a head-turner. However, to those who have been following the industry at all, 800v architectures are the way of the future for the EV industry, especially as more electric cars are on the road, charging times continue to be a concern to some, and heavier all-electric cars are becoming more available throughout the various automakers.

On Wednesday, Tesla confirmed what many believed for a long time: the Cybertruck would equip an 800-volt architecture.

What are the strengths of an 800-volt architecture? It comes down to charging times, efficiency, margins, and weight, all things that are important to the company and its products, as well as its financial status.

Tesla Cybertruck and Semi are candidates for 800-volt architecture

From a macro standpoint, Tesla’s financials are still strong. But Musk and Co. were not shy about warning investors and analysts about the upcoming economic headwinds it would encounter.

It’s a market-wide issue and not just a Tesla issue. As Tesla plans to launch the Cybertruck, interest rates are high, discouraging consumers from wanting to finance anything. Additionally, Musk confirmed it may take 18 months for the Cybertruck to be a positive cash flow contributor to Tesla’s financials.

The 800-volt architecture will improve margins on the vehicle instead of other EV architectures that may have been considered. It said explicitly in its Q3 Shareholder Deck:

“For very heavy vehicles, a high voltage powertrain architecture brings notable cost savings, which is why Cybertruck will adopt an 800-volt architecture.”

From a cost perspective, 800-volt architectures are void of as much copper throughout the vehicle, which reduces weight. Weight reductions improve performance and range.

Earlier today, we reported on the Cybertruck VIN Decoder, which was released by the NHTSA. It revealed the Cybertruck has two weight classifications:

“…the vehicle’s gross weight has two classes: G, which would be between 8,001 and 9,000 pounds, and H, which is between 9,001 and 10,000 pounds.”

800-volt architectures have greater efficiency because they allow electricity to move from the battery to the wheels with a lower current. This ultimately reduces the amount of power that is lost to heat, and higher voltage – lower current architectures can move the same amount of power with thinner wires, which relates to the reduction in copper that was mentioned previously.

800-volt architectures are big for the future of EVs, even outside of Teslas. Tesla EVs are far from the first cars on the market to equip an 800-volt architecture, as the Porsche Taycan had an 800v build back in 2018 when the German company unveiled the specs for its introductory EV.

Faster charging is the biggest advantage, as they can handle greater outputs from Superchargers. The V4 Supercharger from Tesla, for example, has a 350 kW output, enabled by increased amperage and current ratings.

This will keep EV owners at the Superchargers for less time, making charging more efficient and allowing more people to access chargers by decreasing congestion.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at . You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at .

Tesla Cybertruck will equip 800v architecture for faster charging times, better margins

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