Finally saw one of those California digital license plates today... impossible to read unless you're right up on the car

[holeydonut]

Saw this car pass me today... and saved a couple of images from the TeslaCam.

I knew California had some of these test "digital plates" out in the wild, but I hadn't seen one until today.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/transportation/back-seat-driver/article211828814.html

I gotta say, the damn plate is impossible to read and cannot be seen at angles. But now I want one haha. Unfortunately they're like $700 and Tesla doesn't sell them They're not available from the DMV directly. Lame.

Naturally I added the rectangle to the plate in the second picture. But in the first picture that's how it looks when the car passes you. The plate is completely illegible at any angle other than straight behind the car.

 

[Lucas007]

What is the purpose?

 

[holeydonut]

Aside from being impossible to read when it's dark out...

There is embedded technology that can be used to track down the vehicle (assuming the crooks don't just remove the plate). Like there is GPS in there, and someone could remotely change the tag to read "stolen".

But for most purposes, it's just a super expensive black license plate that looks pretty cool if you're going for a stealth look in California. It costs like $1,000 to just get the plate and another $25 a month for the subscription. Wacky.

RPLATE - Battery Powered

Designed for quick and easy self-installation. Location tracking not included.

shop.reviver.com

 

[EVer Hopeful]

Why not just get a LoJack?

...and when I read the title, I thought you meant the stick on vinyl ones for cars with no front mount. I've not heard of these at all

 

[holeydonut]

Why not just get a LoJack?

...and when I read the title, I thought you meant the stick on vinyl ones for cars with no front mount. I've not heard of these at all

I'm pretty sure this experimental black plate is just meant to be a super-expensive accessory for a stealth look. I don't think the pragmatic benefit of having your annual registration sticker self-update is worth $1,000 + subscription.