Ride the Lightning: Tesla and EV Podcast

Episode 557: Model S and X Custom Orders Have Ended

·1 hr 26 min·5 clips

Tesla just ended custom orders for the Model S and X, signaling the true end of an era for these iconic EVs.

This episode of Ride the Lightning, hosted by Ryan McCaffrey, focuses on major Tesla and EV news from early April 2026. The lead story is Tesla ceasing custom orders for the Model S and X, with only inventory vehicles remaining, as announced by Elon Musk. McCaffrey discusses the poetic conclusion that the final Model S will be delivered to Steve Jurvetson, who received the first production Model S in 2012. The episode marks the 10-year anniversary of the Model 3 unveiling, with McCaffrey sharing a detailed personal account of camping out to reserve one and attending the reveal event. Tesla's Q1 2026 production and delivery numbers are analyzed, showing deliveries of over 358,000 vehicles, a 6.5% year-over-year increase, with a notable 38% quarter-over-quarter surge in 'other models' (S, X, Cybertruck) likely due to final S/X orders. Other Tesla topics include a quiet hardware upgrade in the Model 3 for potential vehicle-to-load functionality, an update that Optimus Gen 3 robot reveal is delayed, and a sad report of a suspected arson attack on a Tesla showroom in Australia. In broader EV news, Volkswagen's software partnership with Rivian has passed winter tests, unlocking a $1 billion investment. Rivian's own Q1 deliveries grew 20% year-over-year. Kia unveiled the EV3, an affordable compact SUV for the US market starting around $35,000, with up to 320 miles of range. The episode includes a 'Ride the Lightning Hotline' segment with listener calls discussing FSD subscription theories, a safety feature where a Tesla parked itself after a driver fell asleep, and questions about Enhanced Autopilot. It concludes with product recommendations, sponsor messages, and acknowledgments of top Patreon supporters.

As heard by us

A focused Tesla update that makes the Model S and Model X order change the episode's main pivot.

Tesla's move to stop new custom orders for the Model S and Model X sits at the center of this discussion, with first-quarter production and delivery numbers giving the update its practical frame.

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Why you'd press play

You want the Tesla lineup shift at the center of this week's EV update.

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