Tesla Motors Club
So today Tesla surprised me once again: not with the announcement that the base Model 3 can now be ordered for $35K, but with the news that the 3 can now be ordered with FOUR different battery choices! Standard Range, Standard Range Plus, Mid Range, and Long Range.
That seems unnecessarily complex to me. The mileage differences between those battery choices are 20, 24, and 61, with the additional complication that Dual Motor Long Range now shows a range of 15 miles less than the RWD Long Range (a version that was not available for several months but is now back).
The ranges are; 220, 240, 265, 310 (Dual Motor), and 325 miles.
Do prospective Model 3 buyers really need 4 range choices? I think that every other EV manufacturer only offers ONE battery size per car model. And the S/X only offer a single battery size, the 100kWh.
Really, it’s kind of odd. Apparently Tesla has decided that offering 4 range choices will boost Model 3 sales. I hope that proves to be the case, but I’m wondering if it will confuse some prospective purchasers.
In addition, the Model 3 now has a choice of THREE interior trim levels; Standard, Partial Premium, and Premium, but they are tied to battery ranges so the buyer really doesn’t have a choice in the usual sense of the word (except the Premium interior can be had with either the Mid or the Long Range models).
The final surprise to me is that the base Model 3 comes with the all glass roof. Initially Tesla indicated the base version would have a metal roof, if I recall correctly. In addition, the base version comes with Auto dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors.
So Tesla simplified Model 3 production by having all cars come with the same roof and side mirrors, but complicated production by offering 4 range choices and 3 interiors.
And there are still only 5 paint color choices.
Regardless, I think Model 3 demand is going to surge and reach new heights now that the $35K version is available (at least in the US, other countries will see it in the near future I’m sure).
That seems unnecessarily complex to me. The mileage differences between those battery choices are 20, 24, and 61, with the additional complication that Dual Motor Long Range now shows a range of 15 miles less than the RWD Long Range (a version that was not available for several months but is now back).
The ranges are; 220, 240, 265, 310 (Dual Motor), and 325 miles.
Do prospective Model 3 buyers really need 4 range choices? I think that every other EV manufacturer only offers ONE battery size per car model. And the S/X only offer a single battery size, the 100kWh.
Really, it’s kind of odd. Apparently Tesla has decided that offering 4 range choices will boost Model 3 sales. I hope that proves to be the case, but I’m wondering if it will confuse some prospective purchasers.
In addition, the Model 3 now has a choice of THREE interior trim levels; Standard, Partial Premium, and Premium, but they are tied to battery ranges so the buyer really doesn’t have a choice in the usual sense of the word (except the Premium interior can be had with either the Mid or the Long Range models).
The final surprise to me is that the base Model 3 comes with the all glass roof. Initially Tesla indicated the base version would have a metal roof, if I recall correctly. In addition, the base version comes with Auto dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors.
So Tesla simplified Model 3 production by having all cars come with the same roof and side mirrors, but complicated production by offering 4 range choices and 3 interiors.
And there are still only 5 paint color choices.
Regardless, I think Model 3 demand is going to surge and reach new heights now that the $35K version is available (at least in the US, other countries will see it in the near future I’m sure).