Tesla General Improvements, Ideas, and On Electric Car Futures in General

If people want to go all electric by 2030, there needs to be more knowledge out there of it. I did live out of touch with the latest and greatest for a few years while raising my four kids, but now that I'm back, I don't see that much about electric cars except range anxiety. I had a lot of range anxiety since I don't know how far mileage is since we don't tell distances by miles but by time. So when looking at my used 2022 long range Tesla on Carvana, I had to check some mileages to my usual spots around town before deciding that this could handle it. And honestly? It didn't seem like it would go super far, despite the numbers backing it. I felt like I would be charging a lot, or have a problem and get stranded. That hasn't been the reality though. I go all over town doing deliveries for 5-6 hours and stay between 80 (a full charge to prevent long term battery degradation) and 30 percent pretty easily. These deliveries haven't been right around my house either, they're across town, 10 or more miles from each other, 30 minutes away one way. And what I really like about the navigation is, is that it tells me the percent it will be at one way and round trip. That is comforting. So I can check and plan out about how far or how much longer I can go, and whether or not I should make another delivery, head home, or head to a supercharger which I generally manage to be about 10 or so miles from in any given place (sans the farthest deliveries, but I always circle back and haven't had to worry). Still, being new to it and considering that versus a gas car was a big leap of faith. It said long range for one, and 230-240 miles does seem quite far; and it was/is, considering that to get to anywhere in town (other than the grocery store) one way was about ten miles. Even at the beginning of having a car, when I didn't know how affordable the supercharging was and only knew how slow it was to charge via a regular wall outlet, I considered getting an emergency battery, and only didn't because it was about $200 or more, and would take up more space that myself, 4 kids, 3 dogs, and anything I've bought or am delivering would take up. (Though it could probably fit in a secret side compartment in the trunk, I already have a tire pump, tire repair kit, first aid kit, and a toiletry bag for the gym/since I don't carry a purse.) I also wasn't sure how great the mileage would be considering we were at full capacity, but it says it's right on target and it's done amazing. I'm still not sure what the mileage is for towing..and I wonder how that would affect it, if at all. Sidenote, I LOVE that it can tow! I love how small and compact it is, that it's a car that can fit my big family and even my pets, and still have the under floor trunk compartment space AND Frunk! Plus it can be used for car camping, which is about all I can sign up for with so many people and pets in tow without paying a sum. It's got so much packed into it and it has little maintenance (and all the videos I saw about how much maintenance cost through Tesla really sold me on that), that I was able to get over that range anxiety and take the chance. Even though the battery might be depleted since it was a 2022, and that the battery may have to be replaced within 10 years from its birth, and that I might have to pay an electrician $1000 to install a home charger, it was low mileage and in great condition overall. It could get me around town at the very least, and maybe even some longer trips like vacations (which now I'm pretty sure they would be pretty easy, particularly to larger cities that would have a supercharger). I think with more people going electric and charging stations becoming as numerous as gas stations, it will be less of an issue. Which is another thing. I don't know why I don't see more charging stations along with gas stations, other than maybe the price of installation..but that's another post.

Tesla isn't preparing people well to own a Tesla, it requires a lot of research and learning from 3rd parties to understand how best to own a Tesla and what its like day to day (other than the getting started videos, but needs more). Specifically, I sat down and went through every setting on it. Of course, people should do that when they get any new technology, but seeing as this is quite different than a car and was more like setting up a phone with all the settings and logging into apps, there should probably be a video that at the very least mentions taking the time to set it all up and go through them. I had a lot of questions about FSD, and most of the things I saw were from 3rd parties like 3 years ago. I did see one that was more up to date, and it looks great, but like, is it learning the roads as I go? If so, I would like to be able to correct it when it gets things like what I describe below.

My Model Y isn't on FSD but I do have the 'fasten your seatbelts' airplane ding sound turned on for when the light turns green. It gets a lot (not every, but far from zero and just about all) left turn arrow lights wrong. For example, I am stopped at a red arrow in the only left lane, and when the two straight lane lights turn green, it will ding even though my arrow light is still red. It has happened when it is busy in the day, when it isn't busy in the day, and when traffic is sparse at night. I don't know why it is looking at the other lights instead of mine, but something about sensing a left turn lane stop light is highly fallible.

I get an 'Autopilot Temporarily Degraded' message for Summon when there is pollen or water droplets on the camera. This generally only affects the front and back camera, since after I run a brush on the front camera area, put my thumb on the back camera glass and wipe it off, it works. Sometimes, it just takes 2+ (generally + like 4-5) times of hitting the back arrow and pressing summon again before it registers as ready. They generally look fine and don't seem to need to be cleaned off just from looking at the camera images myself. The front camera can be cleaned off by the wipers, but I don't have any control over that from the summon area in the app; so, adding a button for that might be helpful. The back camera doesn't have any way to be cleaned off automatically.

Also, I don't have a back windshield wiper? So glad they put the front camera on the 2026 models.

Ideas for Future Teslas in general (but definitely for the 7 seater model y):

Exterior and Interior lighting standard; examples: frunk underglow, general underglow, tire lights; (could partner with GoVee, controllable by Tesla app)

light up 'model y' onto the ground+when the door opens (as offered in the store, but controllable by app);

different colored headlights;

Taillight turn signal options (flashing, moving one way (like three arrows but one at the time lights up towards the direction you're turning as some but not many other cars have done), or something new, maybe optional shapes, or a screen that shows something different like an eye (I think I saw a headlight like that somewhere);

I have mentioned wanting screens to be skins for electronics like laptops, fridges and cars (instead of wraps), and after seeing the color chooser for the car pictured on the dashboard screen, I think Tesla is perfect to pioneer it. Though it would cost a lot, it is something that might could be used to change the looks of robots (skin color, face, clothes/uniform, etc.) amongst other things.

Party Mode: Interior Mood lights and a box to check for exterior lights to play with the music; bass is higher, volume is higher, boombox available while driving (like it is for santa's sleigh mode);

Changeable window tint (because I dislike how tinted my moon roof is, though it does keep the sun out, now it also keeps the stars out). Though this isn't a thing, it could be controlled to not be too dark, and could be similar to color changing sunglasses but that change when told. There may be something out there that it can be modeled off of. I have seen windows that can change to be clear or clouded. Though it is an addition, it may be the start for something like this.

A moon roof that can be a convertible; though it would probably take up trunk space, it could probably be separated into three different pieces that stack. Granted, it would have to be tested for rollover safety and convertible type safety standards, but that may have already had to happen with it being all glass, maybe not.

More hidden compartments. I LOVE the tiny house movement and efficiency, so using all the space in the car to store things is awesome. There are already a lot of additional things to buy to add storage space, and they are quite helpful. Some things I've added are top compartments to the middle sections (the bottom of which slides forward to get to the bottom which is super convenient), trays underneath the front two seats in both the front and the back of the seat (though I only have it in the front right now, they could go behind as well I think, though sizes might have to be optimized), behind the screen storage that also has under the screen storage, and a cup holder insert. One thing I would like to try but have yet to find to fit the 7 seater model y are removable stackable organizers for the under floor trunk compartment, where one sits in the bottom, and the other sits in the top and allows it to close, so it basically doubles the storage space. Some milk spilled down the wall and into the bottom of mine, and it is not easy to clean. I haven't found a trunk compartment liner that covers the walls yet. I also need a cargo net, but the only ones I can find are either sticker hooks or drillable hooks, and I don't really want to drill into my car, but I don't think the stickers will hold up against multiple gallons of water sliding out of the trunk on a downhill (yes).

I do find the usb-c charging ports up front a little difficult to use and store things in that compartment. I have bought something that connects to both and provides more charging opporunities, but doesn't prevent things from falling down in it like spill protection, so it could be improved. It has two usb-c and two usb ports, plus an air freshener. It hooks into the lid lining and keeps the lid from closing all the way, and replaces some of it with that charging strip.

Perhaps it's because mine isn't new, but the touch phone charging is hit and miss. Plus, when I do need to use my phone for navigation for deliveries (or in the rare case that Tesla's navigation has told me to take an impossible route like how I couldn't get out of a gated community and so it told me to cut through someone's yard and some woods to get to a road), I can't see it down there.

Automatic doors and frunk. Like the trunk, I was surprised that the doors weren't powered, and that the two back rows weren't adjustable through buttons or the app, or electronically really at all. The button does make it easy to release, but it is basically manual despite that nice feature. Doors that go upwards (aka scissor or switchblade doors) would be cool as an option for when you want to make a grand entrance or practical for parking in a tight spot (because geez what a wall magnet car doors are, especially with kids...), but they would have a ceiling height requirement that may not be good for garages and unfortunately not carports; unless, you make something new, like that slides up on top of the car pretty flat. But the option for regular doors is still there just because and perhaps in case of emergency. Side note, I love the handles.

Another thing about partnering with GoVee is, when it does it's dancing thing, the interior/exterior lights, hydraulics (mentioned next), and whatnot are all synced with the house.

Hydraulics, because it's sporty and next level, personalizable, and could even be practical in buying some time in a flooding situation (though maybe it would be more dangerous the more I think about it), or...just cool. I can't think of much practicality for it, but my NFSU2 player had to add this because I want a car that hops. Plus, maybe it could do a tank turn like I've seen two other car makers do. That is very efficient turning.

I was thinking of something practical like a built-in vacuum that went under the floors, but that may be more trouble than its worth.

I was going to say half moon shaped headlights, but I was thinking more between a crescent and half, inspired by the not my favorite style lights on the Toyota Celica from nfsu2. They are a bit venom or spiderman like eye-wise. Something different, and less boxy futuristic like the 2025 models. I personally dislike the move away from sports car and into boxy futuristic. I'm not a Dodge Charger or Chevy Camaro fan, I'm very much a Mustang type, with an RX-8 being my favorite (which is why I like the 2022 model y so much, it really has it all plus more looks-wise and elsewhere). But, for people who enjoy the modern type architecture, they may like the 2025 model since it will fit their house and match their cybertruck better. But I do hope it goes sporty futuristic later. It already has a moon roof, a special moon edition would be cool, and maybe the interior has twinkling star lights like they put in ceilings of houses, and the windows can be projected onto like screens because they can turn white (like with the tint idea, or they could be tv glass that can be used to show art, or the lenses in Google glasses/meta). So they would actually be tablet screens as well, and provide sun shades built in, entertainment (since I don't really need to look back through the side windows to change lanes with the lane change camera anyways, and that won't be needed with fsd either).

I was also thinking that the contour lines of the car on the exterior could have lights. It would change the shadows and appearance, and could just as easily be added to an all screen exterior, but thought it was worth mentioning. People like the light across the front--maybe a further extension to the main parts of the car, so that you get a full and contoured car outline.

The back of the seats leave a lot of space to be used. There are a lot of accessories that can be placed which I currently have in my cart, particularly for kids (like a water bottle holder, a few compartments for toys and car games, and a tray to eat at or use a laptop at (perhaps also like the airlines, because when it is full self driving (and eventually flying), plenty of people will want to do work, eat, etc.). Having the bottom of the tray function as a screen to use theater mode on would be awesome. It would be nice if each screen had a very hard cover with foam behind it, and if it was included even for the back most seats in the 7 seater as well. The kids currently bring along two tablets between four of them, but it would be nice to use the car's subscription internet to its fullest rather than relying on offline games & downloads or using my mobile hotspot (which drains my battery and raises my phone bill a bit after a certain point if it isn't unlimited). Having YouTube kids app on the theater would be useful too. And each having their own tv would resolve a lot of fights. Though it is separating, being in close quarters while I run deliveries will probably get old in about a year, so having these things on the horizon will be good. And WHY ISN'T CROSSY ROAD IN THE ARCADE?!?!? Dx

The only downside to having the trays in the back of the seats is that if someone wants to lay down or back, it may interfere with that. But the airlines have probably figured that out to some extent, so maybe base it off of them. It would also be nice if the two back rows had a little more space to lean back, which could be easier possible if they're separate seats of each other, or two people will have to coordinate.

A just for fun addition of a car games pack would be nice, but they are probably already out there on Amazon somewhere..Something that I can't find very well. A travel activities bundle. Something that includes fidgets, coloring/drawing/stickers or how to draw for older kids, idea cards, creative conversations/would you rather/search and find, something like guess in 10 or the little electronic 20 questions ball, an 8 ball with a fun twist, mini magnetic board games, or something like a travel journal or etch-a-sketch. I always liked my light up simon says game, where you have to press the colors in order, or a mini Bop It! or a fifteen puzzle. The coloring and sticker books could be mini sized too. Magnetic blocks would be good, preferably not ones that have the balls that could roll away if attached, but like the colored transparent blocks but mini sized, so you could build a giant miniature building on your tray. This could be for anyone really, not just Tesla. But when we leave the space ship (home) and explore space (especially deep space), this would be a cool kit to have. And maybe even an astronaut snack pack full of freeze dried sorts of things just for the curious to try. Food for thought anyways!

Just for any car in general, I could use a light in the back mirrors, maybe as something good for delivery drivers in a delivery driver package..The light would be a spotlight that would help me to find address numbers on the sides of mailboxes, buildings, trailers, and the like. It could be turned on one side at the time so that they're independent of each other, and maybe even moveable or adjustable. I could probably just attach something like that to my mirrors. I saw something similar on Amazon, but it just looks like it will swing around and smack my door or window one day.

Car Headrests that not only break glass, but act as a flotation device. There could even be a sinking mode where it will detect water, open all doors and instruct people to get out, when the water pushes them shut, the windows stay open and instruct people to get out, and once water goes over, it closes them to keep the most air in, becomes as watertight as possible (like...aren't punch buggies/volkswagen beetles? pretty watertight or something?), and then instruct the passengers to take their headrest out, take a deep breath, smash a window, and swim out once the water is mostly filled the car, and hold onto the flotation device headrest to help pull them up.

I wish bioweapon mode worked in reverse. One of my four children have inherited my stinky feet, which will probably last through middle school if not also high school to some extent. And boy, she loves to take her shoes off in the car (like me back in the day also...). Unfortunately for us, it creates a stink cloud. We use the windows to get rid of it, but when I'm trying to keep pollen out of the interior, I have to choose. We are taking steps like wearing open shoes that prevent that, but winter to spring is a bit inevitable, and stinky tennis shoes in the summer I foresee.

Having the third and maybe even the second row turn into a dog friendly or dog mode would be nice. The seats would be covered to protect from scratching and fur, and the seats would have an extender that would make it a long floor. There are products out there that can be bought, but my concern would be if they fit this car. I haven't done a lot of shopping for it specifically since I have three dogs, one that rides in a backpack, one in a car seat in the third row, and one that perfectly fits in the trunk, (or more commonly, two in the trunk and one in a lap), or maybe down by the second row's feet (maybe, haven't tested it yet). But, since there is already a dog climate mode, you could go all in on it, and perhaps find a camping use for it. Walmart is doubling down on its pet section because people spend so much money on it. So at least an optional package all the way up to a pet friendly Model Y 'bus' (with 6 pet car seats in every seat other than the driver).

Speaking of, I think I remember seeing a car or camper that had a built-in table that could be folded out. Or maybe the lid of the trunk storage cover could have legs up under it so that it also doubles as a portable table. It would need to be leather though.

Tesla Mini Limo

The interior seats could be along either side like a van like moveable to different positions in the car. Might take some extra crash tests, but being able to put away the inflatable mattress then everyone sit at a table in the car would be like a booth, kinda crowded, but doable..but if there were only seats down the side and no trunk, and people load in from the trunk...would make it a mini limo? You could probably fit more than seven people with the seats that way, maybe four down each side with no trunk, and two up front. It would be great for very large families as a daily driver (or short trip, where everyone can just have a backpack by their feet). A table down the middle could also hold bags and things. Or, there could be a side storage compartment like RVs where the back passenger door used to be and also behind the wheels (or behind the chairs). There could be a door over the wheel for behind the chair, and behind the wheel for whatever space is left. It would be great for moms who bus a few families of kids to school, or someone who picks up kids from school as a job to be able to seat more of them. It would be a Crossover Limo, like how a Model Y is a Crossover SUV. I can see a lot of kids in the car finishing homework, eating breakfast, or playing a car game on the table. The table could drop down like a divider for either side, and disappear into the floor. You might be able to fit a seat sitting backwards against the driver and passenger seats too, and maybe even an extra on the other end, though it would take time to put up and down to let everyone out. The air conditioning in the car would have to be very good and not take too much of a toll on the battery. It would also need a long window to be able to open up, or instead of a moon roof, have a sunroof that opens like a greenhouse to release heat. The only other alternative to getting a car larger than a van or SUV is a very big van that might require a higher class driver's license. So this would be nice for anyone with a regular license to be able to cart around a lot of people. It could also be treated similarly to a truck in that it has a lot of space to carry wood. Maybe not dirt, or truck type things, but a lot of clothing bins to donate or presents at christmas. Inside sorts of things that aren't a mess.

Why wouldn't you buy an electric car?

• Range Anxiety
• No SuperChargers nearby
• Worried about charging in general (specifics in comments!)
• Long-Term Battery Life/Weather Resistance

See All Options

Two electric cars charging at a station.