Electric Vehicle Games and Entertainment Options for Passengers

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Our Tesla Model 3 Is Entertaining in More Than One Way

Tesla has in mind helping you kill time while at the Supercharger by providing several entertainment features on its cars.
Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and arcade games are among the diversions offered on our long-term Model 3's infotainment system.
To answer the question you probably have, no, you can't use them when the car is not in park.

The biggest compromise one makes when buying an electric vehicle is having to plug it in to charge it up, which even at the fastest chargers takes significantly more time than pumping a tank of gas. There's only so much social media scrolling we can take before we're bored out of our minds, but luckily our new long-term Tesla Model 3 is equipped with several entertainment features to help while away time at the local Supercharger.

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

All of the car's entertainment features are part of the major version 10 software update that Tesla rolled out in September and are locked out when the car is driving. We updated our Model 3 just after delivery and can now choose to catch up on our latest Netflix or Hulu obsessions, check out the latest ASMR video on YouTube, or indulge in one of the onboard arcade games, which are controlled by the car's steering wheel and other controls. There's even a crackling fireplace video if you decide you want to relax or nap while waiting on that full battery. And, at least temporarily, the streaming-video services can be used with the car's built-in data connection. However that may go away as Tesla fulfills its promise to provide free WiFi at every Supercharger location.

"It's the perfect activity to keep me busy while Supercharging," said Stephanie Kowall, owner of a 2018 Model 3. Kowall charges her Model 3 at a charging station near Los Angeles about once per week and prefers watching shows over playing games.

"I'm generally not super into video games, so I'm probably not the target audience for that feature," she says. Her partner, Stan Chibashov, says the games just aren't as appealing as the streaming video options, but he admits he has dabbled with the Lunar Lander game.

For those concerned that utilizing the Model 3's entertainment features will extend charging times, there's no noticeable increase as the power draw for these features is minuscule relative to the firehose of energy being pumped into the car.

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Users might end up spending a little extra time at the Supercharger for another reason, though. Kowall admitted to us that she upped her maximum charge cutoff point recently to justify waiting around to finish an episode of Netflix's hit show Queer Eye.

In our experience, Supercharging the Model 3 from a nearly dead battery takes a little more than an hour, which is plenty of time to kick back and disconnect for a little bit. Plus, it's great to know we're not the only ones who find the features so useful and that real-life Tesla owners are embracing the entertainment options as ways to pass the time.

Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years olda dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. Hes a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.

Fisker Ocean | Fisker Inc.

Disclaimers

EPA estimated range. Actual results may vary for many reasons, including driving conditions, wheel size, state of battery charge, and how the vehicle is driven and maintained.

Using Boost Mode.

Based on Fisker simulations. Ideal conditions assume solar irradiation of 5.4 kwh/m2/day and steady commuter driving. Actual results vary with conditions such as external environment and vehicle use.

Pricing is for continental US and excludes title, registration and other government charges which are state specific and may change. Final destination, handling and delivery charges are dependent upon your location, chosen method of taking delivery, and market conditions. This estimated amount is provided so that you may evaluate payment options. The total finance amount is subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not an advertisement, commitment to lend or offer for credit. Program, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change.

The tradename Fisker Finance and the Fisker logo are owned by Fisker Group Inc. or its affiliates and are licensed to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Chase"). Fisker Group Inc. is solely responsible for its products and services and for promotional statements about them, and is not affiliated with Chase or its affiliates. Auto finance accounts are owned by Chase and are subject to credit approval, terms and conditions.

Subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Program, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Based on Fisker simulations utilizing EPA standards. Actual results vary with conditions such as external environment, wheel size and diameter, and vehicle use. Official EPA ratings forthcoming.

Sony And Honda's Electric Car Can Display Your Fortnite Fandom On Front Bumper

Bumper stickers are too old-school for Sony and Honda's electric vehicle named Afeela. Instead, the prototype automobile offers the ability to showcase a Fortnite logo on the front of the car, among other options like Horizon: Forbidden West and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

The Verge spotted the new Afeela user experience video on YouTube, which goes through various tech features for the electric vehicle. The front bumper displays are a part of the media bar. In addition to advertising your Fortnite fandom, the media bar can also show off helpful info, like charging status for the electric car.

The video also highlights driver-assistance systems and the entertainment options for Afeela's cabin. Sony and Honda say passengers can watch streaming movies--like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse--on multiple screens inside of the car. Previously, it was announced that Epic's Unreal Engine 5 is powering the user interface for Afeela.

Sony Honda Mobility president Izumi Kawanishi drove the Afeela on stage at CES with a PS5 wireless controller, though this functionality was only a tech demonstration. It's not planned to be included when (and if) the electric car comes to market. The companies aren't taking reservations for the automobile, and there's no release date either. However, Afeela is coming to Gran Turismo 7 sometime this year in a patch.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email [email protected]

Best Electric Cars

Car and Driver's rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of more than 400 vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the Best Electric Cars based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We take rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you're interested in.

Read about how we test and evaluate vehicles here.

Best Electric Cars at a glance

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C/D SAYS:

The Ioniq 6 sedan is one of our favorite electric vehicles, with strong performance, a long driving range, and a fantastic design inside and out.

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The 2024 BMW i4 M50's intense performance warms our hearts to an all-electric future but the xDrive40's 307-mile driving range is worth celebrating too.

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The 2024 Polestar 2 is an EV hatchback that evolves into a more tempting Tesla alternative every year thanks to updates and fine-tuning.

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Say what you will about Tesla and its leader, Elon Musk, but the Model 3 EV sedan changed the rules of the EV game, and it gets important updates this year.

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Volkswagen's expanding ID family of EVs is growing to include the ID.7 sedan, a Passat-sized four-door with sleek, aerodynamic lines.

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Fiat's retro-cute 500, now exclusively offered with electric power, is a small and affordable EV with not much range or performance but plenty of character.

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The electric 2024 Nissan Leaf hatchback doesn't have much driving range, but it's among the most affordable EVs you can buy.

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The 2024 Mini Cooper Electric blends the brand's trademark styling cues and entertaining driving dynamics with an environmentally friendly electric powertrain.

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The 2024 Toyota Mirai marries a hydrogen-powered drivetrain with a stylish design and upscale cabin, but it's only available in California.

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FAQs

Home charging is generally the most cost-effective way to charge an electric car. With the right at-home charging equipment, many electric cars can achieve a full charge overnight.

The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on multiple variables, including the specific electric vehicle (i.e., its battery capacity) and the power source that the charging equipment is plugged into. An average electric car could take roughly 1012 hours for a full charge on a Level 2 (240-volt source) or 30-45 minutes for a 1090-percent charge on a Level 3 public DC fast charger.

The cost of charging an electric car is determined by several factors, including local electricity costs and if you're using a home or public charger. But typically public fast charging costs two- to four-times more than charging at home.

The federal government requires automakers to warranty the batteries of their electric cars for a minimum of eight years and 100,000 miles, with California stepping that up to 10 years and 150,000 miles. This ought to serve as a reasonable estimate for the minimum expected life of an EV's battery pack, with most packs lasting for many years and miles past their warranty expiration date.

The electric drive motors of an electric car require minimal maintenance and are far simpler than an internal combustion engine. Whereas gas- or diesel-powered cars require regular oil changes, electric cars do not. However, electric cars do have coolant thats used to control the temperature of the battery pack and motors and oil in the drive units, but these fluids are typically replaced at much longer intervals than in a gas-powered car.

Electric cars use one or more electric motors for power. These motors receive electricity from a battery pack, usually of a large capacity, thats recharged from an external source by plugging in.

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Best Electric SUVs

Car and Driver's rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of more than 400 vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the Best Electric SUVs based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We take rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you're interested in.

Read about how we test and evaluate vehicles here.

Best Electric SUVs at a glance

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C/D SAYS:

Stylish, value-packed, and fun-to-drive, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a winner of an EV SUV that's already earned several Car and Driver accolades.

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The 2024 Kia EV9 SUV joins the Korean brand's EV lineup with three rows of seats, multiple powertrains, and an estimated 304 miles of maximum driving range.

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Easy on the eyes, priced right, and fun to drive, the fully-electric 2024 Kia EV6 is among the best SUVs sold today.

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The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a Mustang in name only, but it is a first-rate electric SUV, a solid Tesla competitorand its high-performance version is quick.

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The all-electric 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 has an accessible starting price and up to 275 miles of driving rangeplus the space rear passengers love in an SUV.

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Hondas new all-electric SUV, the 2024 Prologue, has an understated-but-handsome design, and was developed in partnership with General Motors.

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The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV is an electric alternative to the gas-powered, mid-size SUV of the same name, with an all-new exterior and interior.

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The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the high-performance variant of electric Ioniq 5 SUV, and it's capable of pumping out a tire-straining 641 horsepower.

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Volvo's next-generation lineup of electric vehicles will be bookended on one side by the flagship EX90 SUV and on the other by this much smaller EX30 crossover.

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The newest kid on the block at Nissan, the electric 2024 Ariya, has striking looks, an estimated 304 miles of max driving range, and plenty of passenger space.

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