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The LA Tesla model guide 2026

In LA, Teslas are as common as taxis in Taipei, but can you tell them apart? One model per page: how to spot it on the street, how to pick, how to charge in LA, and the incentive changes to know before buying in 2026.

Translated from Jasmine’s original Chinese. The illustrated slides are on the interactive reader.

Key points

Full text

  1. Why there are so many Teslas in LA

    From January to September 2026, 86,099 Model Ys were registered in California, number one in the state (Camry was second at 52,224); the Tesla Diner Supercharger in Hollywood averaged about 1,600 charging sessions a day in its first year.

  2. Learn to read it first: 5 keywords

    RWD/AWD; Premium is the step-up trim; EPA range is the official range (a bit less on LA freeways with the AC on); Supercharger; FSD (Supervised): your hands still go on the wheel.

  3. How to spot them on the street (screenshot it)

    The Model 3 sits lower, and the new one has T E S L A spelled across the back; the Model Y sits higher, and the new one has a light bar front and back, and the new one without light bars is the entry trim; the Model X has falcon-wing doors; the Cybertruck needs no introduction >_<

  4. Model 3: the cheapest Tesla

    Deliveries started in 2017; an entry-level trim came out in October 2025, starting at $36,990 in the US (EPA 321 miles). The Premium RWD at $42,490 goes farthest, 363 miles; pick it if you often drive to San Diego or Vegas.

  5. Model Y: California's best-selling car

    Entry RWD $39,990, Premium RWD $45,990 (the longest, 357 miles), Premium AWD $49,990, good if you're often heading up to Big Bear. With a row of white Model Ys in the grocery store lot, finding your own car is genuinely hard.

  6. Model Y L: one more row of seats

    About 7 inches longer than the Model Y, a 2+2+2 six-seater; US orders opened in July 2026 and deliveries started in September, with the Launch Series at $61,990. A family car for weekend dim sum runs with your parents; the third row works for short trips.

  7. Cybertruck: all stainless steel

    The body isn't painted, so changing the color means a wrap; from August 2026 it starts at $74,990, and the Cyberbeast is $99,990. Over $50,000, it doesn't qualify for California's MyFirstEV rebate.

  8. Model S & X: the two that are discontinued

    Still plenty on LA roads, but it was discontinued in 2026, with no new orders since April, only remaining inventory, and the production line switched to Optimus robots; if you buy used, check how much battery warranty is left.

  9. Still on the road

    Since September 2026, Cybercab only carries passengers in Austin; Tesla Robotaxi hasn't come to LA yet, so for a driverless ride in LA right now, you hail a Waymo; the Roadster was unveiled 10/15, with production said to be in 2028.

  10. Tesla Diner: LA's Tesla holy site

    A flying-saucer-shaped diner that opened in Hollywood in July 2025: charge, eat a burger and watch a movie on the big screen from your car; most EVs have switched to the NACS plug, so you can charge here even if you don't drive a Tesla.

  11. Supercharger etiquette, LA edition

    Leave once you're charged: moving within 5 minutes is free; when the station is half full, idle fees are $0.50 a minute, $1 when it's full; when it's busy, charging past 80% may come with a congestion fee. 'A Supercharger is a gas station, not a parking lot.'

  12. Live in an apartment? Can you charge at home?

    California's Right to Charge lets renters install chargers at their own expense and pay their own electricity, and landlords generally have to say yes; the old $1 million insurance requirement has been dropped, and condo HOAs can't unreasonably refuse either. General information, not legal advice.

  13. Know before you buy in 2026

    The $7,500 federal tax credit and the solo-driver carpool stickers for EVs both ended on 9/30/2025; MyFirstEV gives $3,500 off, but the Tesla allocation ran out in about five days in August; FSD is now only a $99 monthly subscription.

  14. Rent, lease or buy?

    Rent one on Turo for a weekend and drive to Malibu or Palm Springs to get a feel for the charging rhythm; if you like switching to new models often, lease; if you can charge at home and plan to drive it a long time, buy. To see one in person, go to the Century City showroom.

  15. Two-city mirror

    In Taipei, the Model Y is the number one import, with 5,154 registered in September 2026; in LA it's the best-seller in all of California. 'In LA, Tesla is a rhythm of life.'

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An original JSLALALAND field guide by Jasmine Chang (@jslalaland).