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Tesla Model X gets a tug-of-war rematch against Hummer H2
Tesla Youtuber Bjørn Nyland recently got a chance to engage in a tug-of-war rematch with the same Hummer H2 that beat his Tesla Model X P90D back in December. This time around, the Model X was equipped with new tires and an adjusted tow hitch so that the height between the two vehicles was more balanced. So how did the electric SUV fare? As it turns out, far, far better.
The last time Bjorn pitted his Model X against the Hummer H2 in a tug-of-war battle, the Model X ended up losing two out of three rounds. On paper, the two vehicles were well-matched, with the electric SUV holding the advantage in torque and the GM-built American classic having an edge in weight.
During the first tug-of-war battle, many of Bjørn’s followers noted that the Hummer appeared to have held its brakes before attempting to pull the Model X P90D, giving it a slight advantage. Coupled with a higher tow hitch that applied an upward force on the back of the electric SUV, it was not very surprising to see the Model X P90D bow down to the Hummer H2.
As could be seen in Bjorn’s Model X P90D vs Hummer H2 rematch video, however, things changed a lot when these advantages were removed from the GM-built SUV. For one, the tow hitch between the two vehicles was balanced this time around, and from the video, it seemed like both vehicles tried pulling at each other at the exact same time. The result of the rematch was a tie, with all four rounds ending with neither SUV significantly pulling the other. The Model X had a near-win in the fourth round, however, when the electric SUV’s tires found some traction.
Apart from the balanced tow hitch, one other factor that contributed to the Model X’s improved performance against the Hummer H2 was its new tires. As noted by the Tesla YouTuber, the electric SUV’s Nereus NS806 studless tires proved to be grippy on the frozen grass, mud, and snow on the road. With this extra grip, it was far more difficult for the GM-built SUV to pull the Model X P90D.
As we noted in a previous report, Bjørn’s Model X P90D recently accomplished another remarkable feat, pulling a 95,000-pound semi-trailer across an icy road without any difficulty. In that exhibition of the Model X’s strength, the Norway-based Tesla Youtuber noted that the semi-trailer was placed in Neutral gear as the electric SUV performed what seemed like the vehicular equivalent of a David and Goliath feat.
While the feats of strength displayed by Bjørn’s Model X P90D are remarkable, much of the reason behind the electric SUV’s astounding performance really comes down to traction and some good, old physics. The Model X, after all, features an all-electric drivetrain that is capable of producing maximum torque at 0 RPMs, allowing it to pull the 95,000 semi-trailer and resist the force of the Hummer H2. Nevertheless, it’s hard to deny the sheer enjoyment of seeing an electric SUV battling it out with a monster ICE.
Watch the Model X vs. Hummer H2 rematch below.
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Armored Tesla Cybertruck “War Machine” debuts at Defense Expo 2025
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Tesla Megapacks chosen for 548 MWh energy storage project in Japan
Tesla plans to supply over 100 Megapack units to support a large stationary storage project in Japan, making it one of the country’s largest energy storage facilities.
Tesla’s Megapack grid-scale batteries have been selected to back an energy storage project in Japan, coming as the latest of the company’s continued deployment of the hardware.
As detailed in a report from Nikkei this week, Tesla plans to supply 142 Megapack units to support a 548 MWh storage project in Japan, set to become one of the country’s largest energy storage facilities. The project is being overseen by financial firm Orix, and it will be located at a facility Maibara in central Japan’s Shiga prefecture, and it aims to come online in early 2027.
The deal is just the latest of several Megapack deployments over the past few years, as the company continues to ramp production of the units. Tesla currently produces the Megapack at a facility in Lathrop, California, though the company also recently completed construction on its second so-called “Megafactory” in Shanghai China and is expected to begin production in the coming weeks.
READ MORE ON TESLA MEGAPACKS: Tesla Megapacks help power battery supplier Panasonic’s Kyoto test site
Tesla’s production of the Megapack has been ramping up at the Lathrop facility since initially opening in 2022, and both this site and the Shanghai Megafactory are aiming to eventually reach a volume production of 10,000 Megapack units per year. The company surpassed its 10,000th Megapack unit produced at Lathrop in November.
During Tesla’s Q4 earnings call last week, CEO Elon Musk also said that the company is looking to construct a third Megafactory, though he did not disclose where.
Last year, Tesla Energy also had record deployments of its Megapack and Powerwall home batteries with a total of 31.4 GWh of energy products deployed for a 114-percent increase from 2023.
Other recently deployed or announced Megapack projects include a massive 600 MW/1,600 MWh facility in Melbourne, a 75 MW/300 MWh energy storage site in Belgium, and a 228 MW/912 MWh storage project in Chile, along with many others still.
What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.
Tesla highlights the Megapack site replacing Hawaii’s last coal plant
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Elon Musk responds to Ontario canceling $100M Starlink deal amid tariff drama
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said, opens new tab on February 3 that he was “ripping up” his province’s CA$100 million agreement with Starlink in response to the U.S. imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.
Elon Musk company SpaceX is set to lose a $100 million deal with the Canadian province of Ontario following a response to the Trump administration’s decision to apply 25 percent tariffs to the country.
Starlink, a satellite-based internet service launched by the Musk entity SpaceX, will lose a $100 million deal it had with Ontario, Premier Doug Ford announced today.
Starting today and until U.S. tariffs are removed, Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts.
Every year, the Ontario government and its agencies spend $30 billion on procurement, alongside our $200 billion plan to build Ontario. U.S.-based businesses will…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 3, 2025
Ford said on X today that Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts:
“We’ll be ripping up the province’s contract with Starlink. Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy. Canada didn’t start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we’re ready to win it.”
It is a blow to the citizens of the province more than anything, as the Starlink internet constellation has provided people in rural areas across the globe stable and reliable access for several years.
Musk responded in simple terms, stating, “Oh well.”
Oh well https://t.co/1jpMu55T6s
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2025
It seems Musk is less than enthused about the fact that Starlink is being eliminated from the province, but it does not seem like all that big of a blow either.
As previously mentioned, this impacts citizens more than Starlink itself, which has established itself as a main player in reliable internet access. Starlink has signed several contracts with various airlines and maritime companies.
It is also expanding to new territories across the globe on an almost daily basis.
With Mexico already working to avoid the tariff situation with the United States, it will be interesting to see if Canada does the same.
The two have shared a pleasant relationship, but President Trump is putting his foot down in terms of what comes across the border, which could impact Americans in the short term.
Armored Tesla Cybertruck “War Machine” debuts at Defense Expo 2025
Tesla Megapacks chosen for 548 MWh energy storage project in Japan
