Tesla updated its summon feature. Now this owner can’t get to his car.

Published

10 months ago

November 4, 2024

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Tesla recently sent out an update to its vehicle “summon” feature – which it calls Actually Smart Summon – and as a result, one Tesla owner can no longer use his car.

For years and years, Tesla has touted a “summon” feature, allowing owners to move their cars remotely.

It started off with simple forward/backward movement, but then Tesla promised a “smart” summon which would be able to navigate through parking lots, and even be able to drive coast-to-coast all on its own to pick you up on the other side of the country.

Needless to say – and much like Tesla’s famed Full Self-Driving feature – some of these features haven’t been fully implemented yet. There was a smart summon feature active for some time on vehicles equipped with radar, but when Tesla shifted to vision-only for autonomy tasks, the feature disappeared for some time.

But in September, Tesla finally rolled out Actually Smart Summon, promising to finally bring remote-driving ability to cars, as long as they are on private property (parking lots, long driveways and the like).

The system has shown some impressive uses so far, but is still limited to certain use cases (for example, I can’t use it for the one thing I’d use it for – swapping the position of vehicles from my driveway to the parking spot in front of my house on a low-traffic incredibly wide street, both because it’s a public road and because the system can’t handle the gentle slope of my driveway).

So even though the system is often used as a party trick, there are still people who find legitimate uses for features like these and have come to rely on them – but in the case of one Tesla owner from Nova Scotia, that reliance has turned sour with the most recent update, which broke the system and has left his car stuck in its parking spot for the last two weeks.

Tesla changed summon, now one owner’s car is stuck

We were contacted by Jamie, a Tesla owner in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a simple photo showing his interesting parking situation, which he’s been using for the last four and a half years successfully. In fact, he bought the car specifically for this feature as it’s the only way his parking spot would work, and he commonly gets comments from people wondering how he gets his car out of there.

Which was all fine, until a week or two ago. Upon receiving Tesla firmware version v12.5.4.1, something broke and his car will no longer move.

This version of the software did make changes to both Actually Smart Summon and the old “Dumb” summon. The latter is the system Jamie had been using all along.

Now, when he tries to use the function, it fails in any number of ways, as the car detects walls too close and aborts the move, even if he can visually confirm that the situation is safe. The car cycles through various error messages – “cannot find clear path to pin,” “autopilot temporarily degraded,” “stopped due to unexpected error,” and the like. He’s been able to get it to move some amount occasionally, but estimates it only works one out of every 20 tries or so, whereas it used to be 100% reliable.

Jamie said he tried to contact Tesla customer service three times, who were unable to provide help other than suggesting the default “two finger salute” software reset. They offered no ability to do a software rollback to a functioning version of the software.

He also contacted the local service center – which he managed to bring the car to by opening the trunk and crawling in through the whole car up to the driver’s seat, despite an ailing back which added more difficulty to this comical situation.

At the service center – where he said they were very helpful – they were able to confirm the existence of the problem by stacking boxes beside the car and showing that it wouldn’t move. But they couldn’t offer a rollback, and offered no timeline for a potential fix.

So, he drove the car home, parked it, plugged it in, and has mostly left it there. Now, he walks places instead of driving, though that that won’t remain an option as the Nova Scotian winter sets in. Street parking is also not really an option, as Halifax routinely bans overnight street parking when snow is expected, to allow for snow clearance.

He could charge elsewhere in town, but on level 2 that would require walking to and from a charger, potentially at odd hours, or driving a half hour outside town to the nearest supercharger. The best situation, of course, would be to use his parking spot and charger as he has for the last four and a half years, until this “fix” was applied.

Jamie figures that, while he’s certainly in a niche situation, among the millions of Tesla owners out there, there must be other owners who are seeing similar issues right now. While he’d like a fix for his own problem, he’s also concerned for other owners who could be seeing the same issue.

This isn’t the first time Tesla has suddenly rolled out changes that affected parking. In 2022, Tesla abruptly removed ultrasonic parking sensors from cars, claiming that it would move to a vision-only park assist system. This took about six months to roll out, and is still being improved over time, but surprised some buyers who bought cars expecting this common feature and didn’t receive it.

Electrek’s Take

We at Electrek occasionally get reports from individual customers who have individual problems, but we don’t always do articles for every one of them, especially if there’s some other solution available. We usually like to wait for a pattern to develop.

But this was such an interesting problem, and brings up an important point: it highlights one of the issues with rolling out new software updates, especially when it comes to autonomous driving, or really any other device that people rely on: it’s all well and good to have a feature that works most of the time, but if people rely on a feature, you need to ensure that it works every time.

And this is a relatively minor automation feature in the scheme of things. But it demonstrates the difficulty of automated driving tasks, where in order to receive acceptance, systems don’t need to just work most of the time, but all of the time. A true, driverless, level 5 system needs to be perfectly reliable, even in “niche” situations – and we can’t have software updates coming along and breaking functionality when there’s more at stake than just one person’s parking spot.

And a final note, we can sometimes solve problems simply by emailing an automaker’s communications department to ask them what’s going on. I’ve used this method before, and companies have been able to address an issue for the customer, solving the problem before it turns into bad press for them. Unfortunately, though, this is not possible with Tesla.

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Volkswagen is about to unveil its most affordable electric SUV

Published

3 hours ago

September 1, 2025

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Volkswagen is about to unveil its most affordable electric SUV

With just a week left until its official debut, Volkswagen is giving us a sneak peek of its most affordable electric SUV, the ID.2. Here’s our closest look at the new entry-level EV.

The Volkswagen ID.2 is an affordable electric SUV

Volkswagen is revamping its electric car lineup with a new family of entry-level models, starting with the ID.2. The ID.2 is an electric hatch that VW promises is “spacious like a Golf,” yet still “affordable like a Polo.

With a starting price of around € 25,000 ($29,000), the ID.2 will be among the most affordable electric cars on the market.

Shortly after launching the electric hatch, Volkswagen is set to introduce an SUV version of the ID.2, which could be an even bigger hit. The ID.2 SUV will sit below the ID.3 and ID.4 in Volkswagen’s EV lineup as an even more affordable crossover SUV option.

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Although we’ve seen the hatch out testing a few times, the SUV version has been mostly kept under wraps outside of a blurry image from December 2023. That is, until now.

Volkswagen’s design boss, Andreas Mindt, offered a closer look at the ID.2 SUV on Monday, releasing a few new teasers. The images reveal a sleek new look from its current ID models, closer in style to the updated T-Roc, which was unveiled last week.

Mindt said the “design speaks for itself.” The ID.2 and SUV versions will be based on a new MEB+ platform, which will underpin Volkswagen’s upcoming lineup of entry-level EVs.

The hatch will be offered with two battery pack options: 38 kWh or 56 kWh, offering a WLTP range of up to 280 miles. Volkswagen has yet to reveal final prices and range for the SUV version.

According to VW’s tech development boss, Kai Grünitz, the brand’s EV lineup is in line for a major refresh. Grünitz told Autocar that “huge improvements” were coming, including updated styling inside and out.

Volkswagen-ID.2-EV-interior — Volkswagen’s ID 2all EV interior (Source: VW)

The interior will feature the new design, which includes a 12.9″ infotainment and 10.9″ driver display screens and plenty of physical controls. There will also be a few fun added features like the ability to switch between drive modes that resemble Volkswagen classics, like the Golf or Beetle.

Since the ID.4 starts at around 35,000 euros ($41,000) to 40,000 euros ($47,000), depending on the market, you can expect prices to be slightly lower, likely at around 30,000 euros ($35,000).

Volkswagen will unveil the ID.2 SUV next week at the Munich Motor Show on September 7. The German auto giant claims the ID.2 SUV “is another important step towards bringing affordable electric mobility to the masses.” It’s expected to hit the market next year following the hatch version. We’ll learn more at the event.

Although the ID.2 is not expected to be sold in the US, Volkswagen’s current SUV, the ID.4, is actually already one of the most affordable electric SUVs. Volkswagen is currently offering ID.4 leases as low as $129 per month. That’s even cheaper than a Jetta.

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Environment

An Iowa nuclear plant is the next contender to restart, spurred by AI data center demand

Published

5 hours ago

September 1, 2025

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An Iowa nuclear plant is the next contender to restart, spurred by AI data center demand

The Duane Arnold nuclear plant northwest of Cedar Rapids, Iowa is pressing ahead with plans to restart operations by the end of the decade after shutting down for economic reasons in 2020.

The plant is the third – and likely the last – mothballed reactor in the U.S. that is in shape to come back online to support growing electricity demand in the U.S.

Duane Arnold would follow similar restarts planned for the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan and Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, which plan to resume operations later this year and in 2027, respectively, subject to approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a request last week from NextEra Energy, Duane Arnold’s owner, to let the nuclear plant reconnect to the electric grid. NextEra sees Duane Arnold restarting operations by the fourth quarter of 2028 at the earliest, according to FERC filings.

“While a significant amount of work needs to be done before the facility could be restarted, FERC’s decision is another positive step in the process,” Neil Nissan, a NextEra spokesperson, said in a statement to CNBC.

Power purchase agreement

With big technology companies looking to feed more nuclear power on to the grid to fuel the electricity-hungry data centers they are building to train artificial intelligence, Florida-based NextEra is aiming to win a lucrative power purchase agreement to restart Duane Arnold. Three Mile Island, for example, is restarting with financial support from a power agreement with Microsoft.

“The recommissioning of Duane Arnold has received significant commercial interest from premier American companies,” Garrett Goldfinger, the NextEra executive in charge of the restart project, told FERC in a late July filing.

Duane Arnold would bring more than 600 megawatts of electricity back to the grid, equivalent to the electricity needs of more than 400,000 homes.

“If we’re successful in bringing Duane forward, that obviously creates a hot bed of data center activity around that facility,” NextEra CEO John Ketchum told investors on the company’s July earnings call.

‘Unicorn opportunities’

Duane Arnold, Palisades and Three Mile Island are three of the 10 U.S. reactors that closed over the past decade as nuclear power strained to compete against cheap natural gas and renewable energy.

Restarting these plants is the most concrete sign yet that the nuclear industry is coming back after years of financial struggles.

“These are unique opportunities because you don’t face the new build costs associated with nuclear,” Ketchum said on NextEra’s earnings call. “These are really unicorn-type opportunities.”

NextEra, the largest renewable power developer in the U.S., had previously divided up Duane Arnold’s grid connection among multiple solar farms that the company was developing in response to the demand in Iowa for lower cost electricity.

But the market last year started to shift back in favor of high-capacity nuclear power as the U.S. saw an unprecedented increase in electricity demand from industry and data centers, NextEra said in its filing to FERC.

NextEra is now consolidating those solar grid connections back into a single one for Duane Arnold after securing FERC approval. This will “provide commercial and financial certainty to support the recommissioning effort and expedite the resumption of clean, reliable operations at Duane Arnold,” Goldfinger told FERC.

Capital intensive

NextEra said the restart of Duane Arnold will be a “highly capital-intensive process.” It disclosed in its filing to FERC that it plans on spending as much as $100 million in 2025 alone on the project.

NextEra has placed orders for new transformers to replace the ones that were removed when the plant was shut down, although the transformers face significant supply chain constraints and will take about three years to deliver. The plant’s cooling towers, administration building and training center were also dismantled and need to be replaced.

The nuclear industry has a long history of projects delays, Goldfinger cautioned, and the Duane Arnold restart could take longer than expected if the transformers, for example, are delivered late.

While there are risks, Duane Arnold represents a financial opportunity for NextEra, the parent company of Florida Power & Light. The stock has barely moved this year despite growing power demand, a sharp reversal from 2024 when shares jumped 18% Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on renewable energy have shaken investor confidence in solar and wind power.

Solar and wind projects will no longer be eligible for two key tax credits after 2027, which is expected to crimp demand for renewables. Duane Arnold restarting in 2028 could help offset some of the lost earnings from the phase out of the tax credits, Ketchum said on the July earnings call.

“You add Duane Arnold to the mix and that’s one of many ways that we have to continue to grow the business in the future,” Ketchum said.

Environment

Labor Day Green Deals hub – EVs, power stations, tools, appliances, more from $38

Published

5 hours ago

September 1, 2025

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Labor Day Green Deals hub - EVs, power stations, tools, appliances, more from

It’s officially Labor Day and we’ve had an exciting few weeks of solid Green Deals leading up to the holiday – and these sales aren’t over yet! Through the rest of the day and further into the week, you’ll find some amazing opportunities to get discounts on EVs, power stations, tools, appliances, and more – and we’ve rounded up all the deals that are still ongoing into this one-stop shopping hub for you. One thing to note, the power station sales may have been deemed as ending before today’s arrival; however, as is often the case, these sales have been extended and/or had their official names changed, so be sure to browse through those for hangover savings. Head below to browse and take advantage of all these ongoing Labor Day savings before they’re gone.

Lectric’s ONE long-range belt-drive commuter e-bike gets $220 bundle and $500 price cut to new $1,899 low in Labor Day sale
Lectric launches upgraded XP Trike2 750 long-range eTrike for preorder with a $493 bundle at $1,799, more
Lectric’s new XP4 750 folding utility e-bikes get biggest bundle of $404 in free gear at $1,299 in Labor Day Sale
Head off-road with $434 in free gear on Lectric’s XPeak2 long-range e-bike at $1,699 for Labor Day
Autel’s newest and most powerful MaxiCharger AC Pro 80A level 2 EV charger drops back to $899 low (Reg. $1,299), more
Prime members can score Schumacher’s new 12A level 1 portable EV charger at a new $116 low (Reg. $160)
Rad Power’s Labor Day Sale takes up to $600 off three legacy e-bikes starting from $999 + 25% accessory discounts
Rad Power officially drops prices on Radster Trail and Road e-bikes back to all-time lows w/ hundreds in savings
Celebrate National Dog Day with these Rad Power pet-focused add-on accessory deals starting from $21.75
Aventon’s final summer sale gives the new Abound SR smart cargo e-bike its first discount to $1,799, more from $999
Aventon slashes $200 off new Soltera 2.5 lightweight commuter e-bike for first time, now $999
Aventon cuts the price further on its Aventure 2 all-terrain e-bikes to best price of 2025 at $1,499 (Reg. $1,999)
Ride1Up’s Labor Day Sale offers first savings on new VORSA modular multi-use e-bike with Apple Find My and more at $1,595
Velotric Labor Day Sale drops lightweight T1 ST urban commuter e-bike to $1,299 with free gear (Reg. $1,649), more from $899
Bundle Velotric’s new Fold 1 Plus or Nomad 2X smart e-bikes with EcoFlow power stations at up to $370 off, more from $899
Clock out and ride with up to 45% discounts on Segway’s electric kickscooters starting from $150
Head to classes on Navee’s ST3 Pro e-scooter with free carbon fiber bag starting from $684 in latest sale (Reg. $950), more
Navee’s latest 47-mile travelling GT3 Max electric scooter gets further price cuts to new $561 low (Reg. $750)
Commute on streets and dirt alike with Tenways’ AGO X e-bike that gets $307 in free gear at its $1,899 low (Reg. $2,499), more
Segway’s new entry-level Ninebot E2 Plus II eKickScooter with a 16-mile range drops to $300 in latest sale (Save up to $100)
Aventon’s new security-packed Pace 4 smart step-through cruiser e-bike gets second-ever discount to $1,699 low
Heybike’s Labor Day Sale offers free extra battery with its Mars 2.0 folding e-bike at $1,199 (Save $649), more from $999
Hop on Electric Bike Co.’s Model J e-bike with a $321 bundle at $1,649 for Labor Day ($2,170 value)
Save $500 on Luckeep’s C23 folding step-through e-bike with a removable passenger seat at a new $499 low

ecoflow labor day sale promo pic with man using grinder by power stations

EcoFlow’s Labor Day Sale takes up to 62% off power stations with free gifts, bonus savings, and more starting from $90
Save up to 62% on EcoFlow’s three power station bundles and dual solar panel deal starting from $479 in Labor Day flash sale
Save up to 47% on EcoFlow’s new RAPID series of 10,000mAh to 27,650mAh power banks starting from $86
Bundle Velotric’s new Fold 1 Plus or Nomad 2X smart e-bikes with EcoFlow power stations at up to $370 off, more from $899
EcoFlow’s RIVER 2 Pro 768Wh LiFePO4 power station tackles personal backup support at $359 (Reg. up to $599)
Get off-grid support with EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 solar generator bundle with a 220W panel at $699 (Reg. $1,299)
EcoFlow undercuts its own 48-hour flash sale pricing on the DELTA 2 Max 400W solar bundle at $1,349 (Reg. Up to $3,098)
Save up to 61% on Anker SOLIX power stations and solar bundles during its Labor Day Sale – deals start from $120
Anker SOLIX introduces new C1000 Gen 2 power station with faster-charging tech and increased output [Deal]
Jackery’s Labor Day Sale offers up to 50% off on power stations and more with bonus 5% and 7% savings starting from $89
Keep devices and appliances running with Bluetti’s Elite 200 V2 200W solar bundle at $1,199 (Reg. $1,999)
Mango’s monstrous Power E 3,500Wh CATL station gets an exclusive $2,900 price cut to returning $899 low
Bring DJI’s Power 1000 or 2000 power stations on outdoor adventures starting from $499 (Reg. $699+)
Rare chance to grab EGO’s Nexus portable power station with two 7.5Ah batteries at $899 (Reg. $1,099)