Tesla: the update forces a choice between safety and range

The latest update to the Tesla operating system disables power sockets and USB ports when Sentry Mode is activated.

Panic ensued on forums following the download of the latest update from Tesla. An American user explains he understands, with regret and without information, why the fridge in the trunk of his Model Y has not been working for a few days. The cause is now known: Tesla, to limit sources of energy consumption, and thus to ensure better range once in motion, has decided, without consultation, to disable power sockets and other USB ports when the vehicle is parked with Sentry Mode activated.

According to the American manufacturer, all Teslas except the Cybertruck are affected. This activation only takes effect once Sentry Mode is chosen, which may sometimes force owners to choose between security and comfort. Some forum participants go even further: they claim that to keep the sockets active, one must… leave the car unlocked in Camp Mode! Which would be an absolute joke…

The Cybertruck is more advanced

Tesla defends itself, justifying this choice by the search for lower consumption in its Sentry Mode, which is indeed criticized for its energy usage. But one cannot ask the car and its cameras to monitor the surroundings and not consume power. This world works strangely. Nevertheless, Tesla has made a decision and claims to have reduced the car’s consumption by about 40% when parked. An impressive achievement.

Those against Tesla raise another hypothesis regarding this change in energy management. They believe that Tesla is facing numerous issues with premature wear of the low-voltage battery intended to power accessories plugged into these sockets. The usage might be more intensive than initially thought, and this action is meant to reduce warranty interventions.

Two plausible hypotheses exist, with the Cybertruck being the most recent model, where the management of internal electrical sockets is possible by the driver when the vehicle is locked. Tesla invites users to be patient as it considers how to implement this electronic management of the Cybertruck across the rest of its range.

Another question remains unanswered: why turn your car into a rolling apartment with a fridge, television, etc.? That might be the real issue. Finally, Tesla could have likely distinguished between charging while parked and not charging. This could have already limited the discussions.