Tesla integrates Apple Shortcuts into iOS app enabling top-tier automation

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Tesla has integrated Apple Shortcuts into its iOS Smartphone App, enabling top-tier automation for owners.

Tesla’s Smartphone App is somewhat of a lifeline for many owners, offering various features like Supercharger availability to navigation settings. But the automaker continues to add new features frequently to expand its effectiveness for those who drive Tesla electric vehicles.

Apple Shortcuts seems to be the latest addition.

Apple added Shortcuts with iOS 12 in 2018 for iPhone and iPad users, giving them the ability to create macros for executing specific tasks on their devices.

Possibilities are nearly limitless. For example, I have Shortcuts active on my iPhone for several things, but the most useful, in my opinion, is the macro that turns “Low Power Mode” on when my battery hits 30 percent.

According to Tesla App Updates (iOS), which first noticed the feature, Tesla is enabling Aple Shortcuts to Climate Control Features, Entertainment, and “Just for Fun,” which includes a variety of features like “Flash Lights,” Honk Horn,” “Open Frunk,” and several others.

Apple Shortcuts looks to be a part of the 4.24.0 Tesla App update and is now available in the App Store:

“Access your vehicle controls and climate from the Apple Shortcuts app.”

The addition of Shortcuts for Tesla drivers creates the possibility of an even more convenient ownership experience. Automated features can help lock your car when you are not within range as you walk into the grocery store.

Then, when you arrive home, the correct Shortcut could pop your trunk or frunk automatically so you can unload your groceries.

What Automation and Shortcuts ideas do you have for your vehicle? I’d love to hear about them from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla integrates Apple Shortcuts into iOS app enabling top-tier automation

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Tesla Cybertrucks Supercharging and crash testing point to imminent release

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Tesla Cybertrucks are Supercharging in numbers at Giga Texas. A few units were spotted using the automaker’s electric vehicle chargers at the factory yesterday as the Cybertruck nears deliveries.

Earlier this month, a single Cybertruck was spotted at Giga Texas, using the factory’s Supercharger piles located on the property. It was the first instance of a Cybertruck being seen plugged into a Supercharger and gave us an additional look at the frunk of the vehicle, as an insert was spotted in the bed of the truck.

Tesla Cybertruck charging outside Gigafactory Texas shows interesting frunk detail

However, Cybertruck Supercharging is becoming a more popular occurrence at the Texas factory.

A new video from outside the walls of Tesla’s Austin-based production plant shows three units sitting plugged into Supercharger stalls.

Tesla could be performing simple analyses on the Cybertruck to determine its charging performance and could be checking to make sure everything internally with the pickup is normal, as these early units could be the first to make their way to customers.

We have been seeing an increase in sightings of Cybertrucks over the past few months. However, within the last few days, these sightings have become more interesting as nine Cybertruck units arrived at the Fremont Factory in Northern California yesterday.

Additionally, two crash-tested Cybertrucks were spotted in Northern California yesterday. Tesla operates its own crash testing facility within the Fremont property, but TRC California is also nearby, which is a facility commonly used by OEMs for crash testing.

Several days ago, Cybertruck units were also spotted heading northbound on I-55 in Missouri.

Interestingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) operates a crash testing facility in Ohio, which operates under the same TRC acronym (Transportation Research Center) as the California facility.

One of the three routes Google Maps selected would take the Cybertrucks up I-55 to get to TRC Ohio.

giga texas to trc ohio

Credit: Google Maps

Perhaps crash testing is imminent for the Cybertruck, which would make it available for sale as long as the EPA has granted the all-electric pickup a certificate of conformity for operation on public roads.

The NHTSA and TRC have not yet responded to our inquiries for comment regarding potential crash testing for the Cybertruck.

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

Tesla Cybertrucks Supercharging and crash testing point to imminent release

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Tesla Supercharger Network tops J.D. Power EV public charging study

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The Tesla Supercharger Network is one of the electric vehicle maker’s most notable accomplishments. And now that it is being opened to non-Tesla electric vehicles, the rapid charging system seems poised to become one of the key drivers of mainstream EV adoption. 

Back in May, veteran automaker Ford announced that it had reached a deal with Tesla so that its electric vehicles could access the Supercharger Network. Other automakers followed suit, including fellow auto giant General Motors. Even newer carmakers like Rivian opted to join Tesla’s growing “NACS coalition.”

Considering the adoption of Tesla’s North American Charging Standard by multiple other automakers, it would not be too surprising if the Supercharger Network became the charging standard for the region. It would likely be beneficial for EV owners, as per the results of J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging Study. 

Among the DC fast chargers that were considered in the study, the Tesla Supercharger dominated. The rapid charging network achieved a score of 739 out of 1,000 possible points, putting it far ahead of competitors like ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America, which received 636 points, 569 points, and 538 points, respectively. 

Interestingly enough, J.D. Power’s study also noted that customer satisfaction with public Level 2 charging solutions has declined to an overall 617 points. Overall scores among DC fast chargers also saw a decline compared to a year ago. As noted in a Ford Authority report, however, experts believe that the shift to Tesla’s NACS, and access to the Supercharger Network, would likely increase overall customer satisfaction for DC fast chargers. 

Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power, issued a statement about the matter. 

“With greater adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) pioneered by Tesla, it may provide a boost in fast-charging satisfaction among owners of EVs from other brands as they begin to use Tesla’s Supercharger stations. 

“We’re monitoring whether the use of Tesla Superchargers by non-Tesla owners will affect satisfaction, but the move does help address charger scarcity and offer access to industry-leading reliable chargers. It’s just too early to tell if it can reach the satisfaction levels of Tesla owners who are already part of that fully integrated Tesla ecosystem,” Gruber said. 

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

Tesla Supercharger Network tops J.D. Power EV public charging study

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