Crossword Genius

Vehicle passes Tesla occasionally (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

diesel

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'vehicle' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'passes tesla occasionally' is the wordplay.
'passes' becomes 'dies' (passes away).
'occasionally' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
The alternating letters of 'tesla' are 'el'.
'dies'+'el'='DIESEL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for diesel that I've seen before include "Common fuel for heavy vehicles" , "Lorry fuel" , "Vehicle fuel" , "Train perhaps" , "Kind of engine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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