Tesla Model 3. The best-selling electric car
Тесла Model 3 is a 5-seat electric sedan from the American Tesla Motors. It’s produced soince 2017 in several versions. The first generation of this car is expected to enter the Israeli market in 2021.
In 2018, the Tesla Model 3 became the best-selling electric car, exceeding the results of the Nissan Leaf and BAIC EC. Just like this, even although the price for the most affordable modifications of the Model 3 was from $45,000, and sales outside of North America had not yet begun. Only in the first quarter of 2019, the Model 3 began to be sold in Europe and China. In the first and second quarters of 2019, only left-hand-drive cars and high-end trims were available in Europe. The first right-hand-drive model arrived in the UK in late June or early July 2019. But already in 2019 began production of the base version of the Model 3, the ‘people’s’ electric car priced from $35,000.
In 2018, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) gave Tesla Model 3 the 5 points of 5 in every crash test that they performed! In Euro NCAP and IIHS tests, the car has also been given the maximum score for safety. Thus, Tesla Model 3 is one of the safest cars of our world.
First generation
Produced since 2017 until now (as of 2021), thw Tesla Model 3 has been first demonstrated on March 31, 2016. On April 1, 2016, the day of presentation, the reservation has started. When thew presentation began, the company received 115 K orders. 180 cars were reserved in the first day by $1K deposits. This has exceeded the total previous sales of the entire Tesla company. As of May 16, 2016, more than 373 K people decided to buy Tesla Model 3. In the summer of 2017, there were about 500 K of them. This way, Model 3 is the Tesla’s first mass-market model. A day after the reservation has started, Elon Musk declared that the company has to revise it’s production plan.
On July 28, 2017, first 30 mass-production Tesla Model 3 were provided to journalists and company employees. The latest ones had a priority in the queue. The first supplies outside of the company were planned for 4Q of 2017. Outside the US, the sales were planned for the end of 2018. In reality, the first-generation Tesla Model 3 was first sold to EU and China only in 1Q 2019.
Features
The first Tesla Model 3 is designed on a new platform, different from that used in the Model S and Model X. The design of the electric car uses an unusual body of avial, a highly ductile aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy, which is used in aircraft design and in the automotive industry, mainly for making the bodywok in premium cars and higher. The manufacturer claims that the Model 3 has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.23.
To speed up charging and protect against overheating, the car has a radiator cooling of the battery pack. The door handles have no mechanical connections to the lock. The car has two trunks, panoramic glazing and a 15-inch touch screen, which has completely replaced the dashboard. All models have a huge touch screen onboard computer and multimedia system at the same time. For the driver and all passengers, there are USB-ports for charging phones, etc. The charging plug of the car itself is located near the rear left headlight.
In 2018, Tesla Model 3 has become the best-selling electric car.
Just like the master models, Tesla Model 3 has both self-driving capabilities and Supercharger access. But inline the Tesla’s more expensive models, Model 3 owners have to pay for charging in the Supercharger stations.
Trim versions
- The Standart Range is rear-wheel drive, available since 2019, equipped with a standard battery, has a range of 350 km or more, and accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. However, after the recent Model 3 update there is no place for the ‘people’s’ electric car in the 2021 model range. Tesla removed the Standard Range variant from its catalog and stopped selling it. More expensive variant - Standard Plus - 258-hp, differs with increased range up to 430 km on one charge and interior (adjustable seats, better trim materials and advanced audio system), but its cost is higher - from $38K. There is also a four-wheel drive 258-hp version with acceleration to a hundred in 5.1 seconds.
- The Mid Range Tesla Model 3 version is rear-wheel drive, available since 2018, range 418-420 km, acceleration from zero to a hundred in 5.6 seconds. The approximate price is $45K ore more.
- The Long Range version is rear-wheel-drive, produced since mid-2017. It is equipped with a higher-capacity battery, one motor (rear, RWD) and a premium package. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and has a range of 500 km. The premium package includes a panoramic roof, improved trim and seats, automated side mirrors and a premium audio system. The car’s total price is from $49K. Options include an improved autopilot for $5,000, full self-driving capabilities for $3,000, 19-inch wheels for $1,500 and another $1,000 for any color other than black. In Q4 2018, the Long Range RWD rear-motor version was replaced by the Mid Range (MR) version, which features a smaller range of 420 km, slower acceleration (100 km/h in 5.6 seconds), and a lower cost, starting at $45K.
- The Long Range AWD version has all-wheel drive and has been produced since mid-2018. It is equipped with two electric motors with a total output of 351 hp, and the 75-kW battery allows a drive of 580 km on a single charge. Acceleration from 0 to a 100 km/h - for 4.4 seconds. The cost is over $54K.
- Long Range Performance AWD has all-wheel drive. It’s produced since 2018 and has the total power of the motors of 462 hp. It speeds up to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, drives 567 km after one charging and costs over $64K. It’s equipped with a premium set.
2020 restyling
In 2020, Tesla Model 3 was restyled as planned before. The exterior was finished. The equipment was changed. The acceleration to 100 km/h was improved. The uncharged mileage was increased.
The restyled sedan can be distinguished externally by ‘recessed’ handles, which are now in black, as well as black window surrounds, which have replaced the chrome ones. The top-end Performance version gets 20-inch Überturbine wheels, while the other two configurations have 18- and 19-inch wheels.
There are some minor changes in the interior as well. The cover of the wireless charging compartment for smartphones is now matte, the USB connectors are replaced by USB-C. One of them is located in the glove compartment to protect against theft: a drive with recordings from onboard cameras can be put in the glove compartment, which opens only when you turn on the sedan electronics. In addition, the standard equipment includes an electric trunk lid.
Interesting facts
At the annual shareholder meeting of May 31, 2016, Ilon Musk announced that Model 3 owners will either pay to use the company’s Supercharger charging network or buy the respective option. The reason for this decision was the intention to decrease the initial price of the car as much as possible.
The selling price of the electric car was $35,000, but some first-time US buyers received a federal tax deduction of $7,500. The government support applied to the first 200,000 electric cars of any manufacturer sold in the USA.
The company’s CEO Elon Musk hold true to the idea of the affordable Tesla car. In 3 years, he promises to supply the mass-production Tesla car with fully-fledged self-driving for $25K.
Due to the effect of the said tax deduction, as well as logistics and excessive demand (a huge number of pre-orders), the first Model 3 shipments outside of North America did not begin until the 1Q, 2019.
The main competitor to the Tesla Model 3 is the Chevrolet Bolt electric car, which is comparable in price and range. And in the list of the cars usually traded-in for the Model 3 were: Toyota Prius, BMW 3 series, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Nissan Leaf. Of this list, only the Leaf is all-electric, and the Prius is a hybrid. What’s interesting is that most of these cars cost significantly less than the Model 3 (which only started at $49,000 in 2018). Of this list, the BMW 3 Series comes closest to the Model 3 in cost, size, and performance.
The company’s CEO Elon Musk hold true to the idea of the affordable Tesla car. In 3 years, he promises to supply the mass-production Tesla car with fully-fledged self-driving for $25K. New branded Tesla’s betteries are selected to make this a reality. Let’s see, will Elon Musk make this promise come true and what will be the destiny of this car.
