China’s BYD defeats Tesla and becomes EV king
BYD is now the world’s top electric car seller, overtaking Tesla, which Elon Musk’s company has dominated for a decade. Bloomberg analyzes how the world’s richest person came in second place.
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Tesla is known for innovative brand-exclusive features enabled by advanced software. From dog mode to sentry mode, there are several interesting settings that enable unusual features for electric cars.
The brand took to YouTube and social media to show off its camping mode. What does Tesla Camp Mode do and is it worth getting excited about?
What is Tesla Camp Mode? How does it help drivers?
According to the electric vehicle and clean energy company’s support page, Tesla drivers can use Tesla Camp Mode to “stay comfortable while sleeping in their vehicle.” This mode “maintains cabin temperature and powers the vehicle’s USB and 12V outlets, allowing you to charge your devices overnight,” the page says.
In the short YouTube video above, the driver of a Model Y small electric SUV is seen using the vehicle to inflate an air mattress after lowering the back row seats. You can enable Camp Mode from your Tesla’s infotainment system settings.
But is the Tesla Model Y actually practical as a camper? Probably not, since the interior isn’t all that spacious compared to most vehicles in the small SUV segment. But Tesla’s Camp Mode is another new setting in a long list of unique features that Tesla cars have. This mode can make camping more bearable than driving a gas car with a regular car battery.
What other modes does Tesla have?
Thanks to over-the-air (OTA) updates, Tesla vehicles regularly receive software updates that enable new and upgraded features that enhance entertainment, safety, and owner convenience.
Tesla mode (non-driving)
- sentry mode
- Biological weapon defense mode
- karaoke
- dog mode
Sentry Mode uses sensors and cameras to detect and record threats around your Tesla EV. Bioweapon Defense Mode utilizes activated carbon and HEPA filters to protect against contaminants.
Caraoke turns the cabin of a Tesla vehicle into a mobile karaoke bar by displaying song lyrics on the EV’s screen. Tesla’s Dog Mode uses climate settings to maintain a safe indoor temperature for your pet. Tesla’s quirky modes and features have become part of the brand’s identity.
Should you buy a Tesla in 2026?
Tesla sold 589,000 electric vehicles in 2025, according to Cox Automotive. Because the company has built so many stations across the country, its extensive Supercharger network makes it easier to charge your EV than many of its competitors. If you’re considering a new or used electric vehicle for 2026, best-selling models like the Tesla Model 3 Sedan and Tesla Model Y SUV are a good place to start your search.
While the new Tesla EV has a lot to offer, used models benefit from extreme depreciation. Used car retailers like CarMax sell used Tesla cars for less than $20,000. Based on 2025 sales numbers, electric vehicles may be less popular in the U.S., but the Tesla EV remains the best EV option in the eyes of thousands of consumers when considering affordability, charging speed, features, and practicality.
