Episode 542: Six-Seat Model Y L Seems One Step Closer to Going Global
About this episode
Tesla's six-seat Model Y L is on track for a global rollout, with potential European availability in early 2026. The episode discusses the Cybertruck's recent top safety rating, the discontinuation of Ford's F-150 Lightning, and Tesla's ongoing challenges with the California DMV regarding misleading terms related to its autonomous features. The host shares insights on Tesla's Robotaxi testing in Austin and speculates on the future of the Model Y L in North America. The episode wraps up with listener calls and pro tips about Tesla ownership.
Tesla's more luxurious, longer-wheelbase, six-seat Model Y L looks set to enter another new region, setting it up for a potential global rollout sooner rather than later. Plus: Cybertruck earns a top safety rating, Ford sadly discontinues the fantastic F-150 Lightning, and more!
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Tesla
"[0.0s] On this week's episode of Ride the Lightning, the Tesla and EV podcast"
Tesla is a company that makes cars powered only by electricity. They’re famous for fast cars and big batteries.
Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its high‑performance EVs and autonomous driving technology.
Ford
"[24.8s] Ford sadly discontinues the fantastic F‑150 Lightning"
Ford is a company that makes cars and trucks, including the well‑known F‑150 pickup truck.
Ford Motor Company is an American automaker that produces a wide range of vehicles, including the popular F‑Series pickups.
Model Y
"driverless, meaning fully autonomous, Model Y Robotaxis have begun running around Austin"
The Model Y is a small electric car from Tesla that looks like a crossover and has lots of modern tech inside.
The Model Y is a compact all-electric SUV produced by Tesla, known for its spacious interior and high-tech features.
driverless
"driverless, meaning fully autonomous, Model Y Robotaxis have begun running around Austin"
Driverless means the car can drive itself without a person inside controlling it.
Driverless refers to vehicles that operate without human input, using sensors and software to navigate autonomously.
Robotaxi
"driverless, meaning fully autonomous, Model Y Robotaxis have begun running around Austin"
Robotaxi is a self-driving car that people can call to take them somewhere, like a taxi but with no driver.
Robotaxi is a term for autonomous vehicles that provide on-demand ride-hailing services without drivers.
autopilot
"If Tesla fails to address the issue after 60 days, it will be subject to the 30 day suspension of its dealer license. But then, as DriveTesla Canada reports, the California DMV backed off."
Autopilot is Tesla’s name for a driver‑assist system that helps the car steer and control speed, but you still need to keep your hands on the wheel.
Autopilot refers to Tesla’s semi‑autonomous driving system that can steer, accelerate, and brake under driver supervision. It is a software feature rather than a physical part of the car.
FSD
"[473.9s] ...to the term autopilot that they're using for FSD would cover it."
FSD is a fancy name for Tesla’s top-level self-driving software that can do more than just lane keeping.
FSD stands for Full Self-Driving, Tesla’s most advanced driver-assistance package that aims to enable fully autonomous driving in the future.
full self-driving
"Like that, I can't imagine is going to confuse anybody in the same way that full self-driving"
It’s a software upgrade that lets the car drive on its own in many situations, but it still needs you to watch out and be ready to take over if needed.
Full self-driving (FSD) is an advanced driver-assistance package that aims to enable a vehicle to navigate and control itself in most driving scenarios without human intervention.
LG 5N battery pack
"According to the EU approval documents, the Model Y L is equipped with an 88.2 kilowatt hour LG energy solution and a nickel metal battery pack internally listed as LG 5N."
The battery pack called LG 5N is a set of many small batteries that store electricity for the car’s motor.
The LG 5N is a high‑capacity lithium‑ion battery pack supplied by LG Energy Solution, used in the Model Y L to provide its extended range.
WLTP
"Quick side note, WLTP is always way, way, way more forgiving than the EPA range."
WLTP is a test that tells you how far a car can go on one charge or tank of gas, but it usually gives higher numbers than real‑world driving.
WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, a European standard that estimates vehicle range and fuel consumption under controlled conditions.
PowerShare feature
"The quote from the email that Tesla sent, we're writing to let you know that the PowerShare with Powerwall feature is still in development and is now scheduled for release in mid-2026."
PowerShare lets a Tesla car give electricity to your home battery when the power goes out, so you can keep lights on and appliances running.
PowerShare is Tesla’s planned capability that allows a vehicle, such as the Cybertruck, to provide backup power to home batteries like the Powerwall during outages.
collision avoidance assist
"[1649.4s] the standard collision avoidance assist avoiding collisions in day and night tests across child, [1656.4s] adult crossing and parallel paths."
This system watches the road and can help stop or steer the car if it thinks something might hit it, making driving safer.
A driver‑assist feature that uses sensors and cameras to detect potential collisions and automatically apply brakes or steer to avoid them.
crash test
"the Model S was so strong that when it was first crash tested it broke the crushing machine during its original crash test"
A crash test is when a car is deliberately crashed in a lab to see how safe it is and if it can protect people inside.
A crash test is a controlled collision experiment conducted to evaluate vehicle safety performance and structural integrity.
crushing machine
"the Model S was so strong that when it was first crash tested it broke the crushing machine during its original crash test"
A crushing machine is a big piece of equipment that pushes on a car in crash tests to see how strong it is.
A crushing machine is a large, heavy device used in crash test facilities to apply controlled forces to vehicle structures during impact testing.
Starlink
"DriveTeslaCanada had a story this week that says Tesla may be laying the early groundwork to enable Starlink in its vehicles."
It’s a network of many small satellites that deliver internet to places where regular Wi‑Fi or cell service is weak.
Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation that provides high‑speed, low‑latency connectivity worldwide.
roof sub-assembly
"Tesla describes a roof sub-assembly that can be built on a horizontal surface, installed as a single unit..."
Instead of putting all the roof parts together inside the car, Tesla builds a ready-made roof piece that can be snapped on quickly.
A roof sub-assembly is a pre-built section of a vehicle's roof that includes integrated electronics and components, allowing it to be installed as a single unit.
Skunk Works program
"The T3 pickup, a long‑awaited vehicle that was developed in part of a Skunk Works program, is also no longer in the company's plans."
Skunk Works is a special team at Ford that designs new cars and technology in secret before they are released to the public.
Skunk Works is Ford’s advanced research and development division that works on cutting‑edge concepts, often in secrecy.
extended-range electric vehicles
"we are allocating that money into higher returning areas, more trucks and van hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles, affordable EVs"
An extended‑range EV can run on battery alone for a while, then uses a small gasoline engine to keep the battery charged so you can drive farther without stopping for a charge.
Extended‑range electric vehicles (EREVs) are hybrids that use a small internal combustion engine or generator to recharge the battery when it runs low, extending the driving range beyond pure electric power.
Volkswagen
"[2856.4s] emphasizing that the ID Buzz remains an important [2860.5s] halo product for the brand."
Volkswagen is a German car company that makes many different cars, including the ID Buzz electric bus. They’re one of the biggest car makers in the world.
Volkswagen, often abbreviated as VW, is a German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles from compact cars to large SUVs and electric models.
regenerative braking
"There was a tip from a caller recently about lifting off the accelerator for regen and stuff like that."
When you slow down or take your foot off the gas, some cars can use that movement to recharge the battery instead of just wasting energy as heat. It’s like a built‑in charger that helps the car go farther.
Regenerative braking is a system that captures kinetic energy during deceleration and converts it back into electrical energy to recharge the vehicle’s battery, improving efficiency.
EV
"If anybody else out there has a good Tesla or EV pro tip of the week, I'd love for you to call in with it so that I can learn from it and I can share it with everybody"
An EV is a car that runs on electricity, so it doesn’t use gasoline. It charges from a wall outlet or charging station.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, a car powered entirely or partially by electric motors and battery packs instead of internal combustion engines.
center console LED light strips
"You've got full color animated center console LED light strips to put it around the ring of that sort of inner ring on your center console."
These are small, glowing strips you can stick around the middle of your car’s dashboard to make it look cooler and help you see better at night.
LED light strips are thin, flexible panels that emit bright light and can be installed around the inner ring of a car’s center console to add illumination and style.
PPF
"It’s getting PPF as well as some ceramic coating"
PPF is a clear film you stick on the car’s paint to keep it looking new and protect it from road debris.
PPF stands for Paint Protection Film, a clear, durable layer applied to a vehicle’s exterior to guard against scratches, chips, and stone impacts.
ceramic coating
"It’s getting all of the ceramic coating on all of the car, of course"
It’s a special liquid you wash on the car that hardens into a clear shield, making it easier to clean and keeping the paint shiny.
Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied to a car’s paint that hardens into a protective layer, providing shine and resistance to UV light, stains, and minor scratches.
paint protection film
"Maybe you want to do some paint protection film or maybe the entire car paint protection film."
Paint protection film is a clear sheet you stick on the outside of your car to keep it from getting dings and scratches.
A clear, durable film applied over a car’s paint to shield it from chips, stone impacts, and environmental damage.
paint correction
"Maybe you want to do some paint correction to get the paint finish itself looking as good as it possibly can."
Paint correction is when a detailer polishes your car to make the paint look smooth and shiny again.
The process of removing imperfections like swirl marks, scratches, and oxidation from a vehicle’s paint to restore its original shine.
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