Chad Kirchner

Chad is the VP of Content for EV Pulse, and other Wrecked Media Group properties. He has years of experience covering the automotive industry and has been featured in Truck Trend, The Drive, Overland Journal, AutoGuide, Automotive Map, and other places.
Chad Kirchner
Videos like these don’t help the cause for Tesla “Full Self Driving”

Right now you can purchase a software update for any new Tesla that unlocks a feature called “Full Self Driving.” While the name would suggest that the car can drive itself, that is definitely not the case. The Tesla owners manual even states so. “Navigate on Autopilot does not make driving autonomous. You must pay […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Best time to buy a new Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model X, or Model S

Buying a new car can be quite the process. Thanks to Tesla’s direct sales method, it is a little easier. The price on the website is the price you pay. There’s no haggling salespeople. Well, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be. But if you’re in the market for a new Tesla model (Model […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Tesla “Full Self Driving” free for 3 months for deliveries taken before the end of the quarter

If you’re thinking about buying a Tesla, now might be the time to pull the trigger. If you take delivery before midnight on December 31, 2020, you’ll get three months of Tesla’s “Full Self Driving” software for free. Elon Musk tweeted out the incentive as he’s working to move as much metal as possible before […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Ferrari Purosangue will lead group of SUVs, including EVs, because Ferrari likes to make money: Report

Just as sure as there would be a mutated, even more contagious strain of COVID-19 in the United States, Ferrari is going to build an SUV and future electric SUVs. Why? Because Ferrari likes making money. A report out of Car Magazine says that in addition to the upcoming Ferrari Purosangue SUV, there’ll be a […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Attention Tesla and Elon Musk: This is absolutely unacceptable for a modern car

One of the clever features that makes Tesla ownership unique is the frequency of over-the-air updates designed to add features and make the car better. Unlike other automakers, Tesla updates can change nearly every computer component on the vehicle. Living with a long-term Model 3 Standard Range Plus, you get used to some of the […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Elon Musk: “We need a UI overhaul”

Software update 2020.48.26 brings a ton of changes to the Tesla interface across all models. Some of the features are fun and whimsical, while others relate to some big changes to the user experience. With the latest changes, though, not everyone is happy. Especially on Model S and Model X cars, the new instrument cluster […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Looking Ahead: EV Pulse America looks forward to driving these vehicles in 2021

We all can probably agree that the year 2020 wasn’t much fun. Aside from the pandemic, Australia was on fire, California was on fire, the economy ground to halt. No good. So we decided to reach out to our staff and see what they are most looking forward to driving in the new year. Since […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Volkswagen previews its idea of a mobile charging robot

Electric charging infrastructure isn’t as robust as the refueling infrastructure for internal combustion vehicles. That’s simply a fact. But as EV adoption grows, companies are looking at new and innovative ways to improve that situation. Volkswagen Group Components’ Mobile Charging Robot, not to be confused with real robot Bozi Tatarevic, can move around a car […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Tesla software update 2020.48.26 brings Fart Mode outside

People are just starting to get the update to their Tesla models, bringing the software up to 2020.48.26. This is a fairly substantial update, with interface improvements. But the newsmaker here is you can now control what the external pedestrian speaker does. Fart Mode outside When the vehicle is in park, you can now tell […]

by Chad Kirchner
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Musk says he might be able to allow Teslas without the pedestrian warning speaker to upgrade

With software update 2020.48.26, the Boombox app makes it possible for people with the pedestrian warning speaker on their car to use that speaker to make different nosies. Driving around, or using Smart Summon, the driver can have it play its own sound or one predetermined one. Additionally, the driver can set the external speaker […]

by Chad Kirchner
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