Tesla has quietly added a brand new model of the Mannequin Y to its US configurator. This one has a single rear-mounted motor, lists for $43,990, and has a acknowledged vary of 260 miles. The corporate supplied a single-motor normal vary Mannequin Y shortly after that automobile was launched, however it was shortly withdrawn from manufacturing, presumably as a result of Elon Musk discovered its vary — round 240 miles — too brief for his liking.
There’s extra excellent news. Tesla says the usual vary RWD mannequin qualifies for the complete federal EV tax credit score of $7,500, making the efficient value of the RWD model simply $36,490. For all these EV haters who complain electrical automobiles are too costly, contemplate this: The preferred Chevy Blazer — the two LT — has an MSRP of $36,495. The Blazer is roughly comparable in dimension to the Mannequin Y.
The Mannequin Y Is The Similar However Totally different In Different Markets
A Tesla Mannequin Y inbuilt Shanghai appears just about like a Mannequin Y inbuilt Fremont, Austin, or Grünhiede, however there are delicate variations.
The US model has a listed high pace of 135 miles per hour and will get from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The only-motor RWD Mannequin Y manufactured in Shanghai does the 0-to-100 km/h dash in 5.9 seconds after a latest improve. Beforehand, the identical feat took 6.9 seconds. In response to The Driven, the advance could also be as a result of a brand new motor fitted to the rear drive automobile. You may slice and cube the info any manner you want, however the truth stays the US-spec automobile is a tick of the watch slower than its Chinese language cousin.
The brand new RWD model will likely be obtainable in Canada and Mexico as effectively. Tesla already affords a RWD Mannequin Y in Europe, produced at its manufacturing unit in Germany.
Now With LFP
The Austin manufacturing unit was not too long ago shut down for just a few weeks for tweaks to the meeting line. Now the manufacturing unit is again to full operation and, magically, a brand new, cheaper mannequin seems. Autoblog speculates the brand new model of the Mannequin Y makes use of an LFP battery pack.
It’s broadly identified that LFP batteries are cheaper than typical NMC batteries. However if you need any particulars from Tesla, you’ll have to go to Helen Waite for solutions. Maybe the corporate will supply some insights throughout its subsequent earnings name, however don’t maintain your breath. That’s after we hope to realize some readability on Tesla’s manufacturing plans going ahead. A cheaper Mannequin Y may assist the corporate get nearer to its goal of producing 1.8 million cars this year.
How A lot Vary Is Sufficient?
The brand new RWD Mannequin Y claims a variety of 260 miles, whereas the dual-motor model is listed as having 330 miles of vary. 70 miles much less vary could seem to be a giant deal, however is it actually? My spouse and I plug our Mannequin Y in about as soon as every week. Now, admittedly, we aren’t commuting 100 miles a day. However somebody who does use a automobile for every day driving of 30 miles a day or much less — concerning the US nationwide common — will discover plugging in each 3 to 4 days will work simply fantastic.
Then there’s the battery chemistry challenge. Most EV homeowners have accepted the nostrum that they need to solely cost their automobiles to 80% regularly with the intention to maximize battery life. 80% of 330 is 264 miles. However LFP batteries are supposedly extra tolerant of being charged to 100%, so homeowners of the cheaper Mannequin Y may very well have about the identical helpful vary as homeowners of dual-motor automobiles for lots much less cash.
There may be each motive to imagine that Tesla will see a major uptick in gross sales as soon as the phrase will get out concerning the new RWD model. In any occasion, Tesla is able to go. It says on its web site that prospects who order one at this time can count on to take supply this month, or November on the newest.
At Teslarati, they’re saying the launch of the Mannequin Y RWD “comes at maybe the worst time for legacy automotive corporations. It’s reasonably priced, similar to comparable fashions from rivals, and is probably the nail within the coffin, particularly for the U.S. market, as it’s an reasonably priced automobile that options among the finest add-ons that EV consumers may wish.” We don’t disagree. The Mannequin Y is true within the candy spot of the market — an SUV with room for five and all their stuff. Even after 5 years, it nonetheless appears like its from the longer term, with a form that’s immediately recognizable.
Have You Hugged Your Supercharger Right this moment?
The perfect half, which we don’t speak about sufficient, is that each Tesla driver will get entry to the Supercharger network when driving on lengthy journeys, or brief journeys for that matter. Everybody else remains to be looking at their ABRP or PlugShare app looking for a quick charger that isn’t damaged and isn’t miles away from their most popular route. Vary nervousness is simply not a giant deal for Tesla homeowners, as a result of there’s nearly all the time a functioning Supercharger obtainable once they want one.
However its greater than that. Inform your Tesla the place you’re going and it’ll routinely inform you when to cease to recharge and the place, what your battery SOC will likely be whenever you get there, what it is going to be whenever you go away, how distant the following Supercharger is, and what your SOC will likely be whenever you arrive at your vacation spot. Vary nervousness? Overlook about it!
The Takeaway
The Mannequin Y RWD is a vital automobile for Tesla. However there are different automobiles within the pipeline that ought to reinvigorate gross sales additionally. The refreshed Mannequin 3 Highland is now in manufacturing in Shanghai and obtainable in Europe. The oft delay and far commented on Cybertruck is allegedly going to start out deliveries someday earlier than the tip of this 12 months. (“We’ll see,” stated the Zen grasp.) Then there could also be a small stream of Tesla Semis coming alongside quickly as effectively.
Elon Musk will get loads of lumps for overpromising and underdeliveriing, however he normally will get there ultimately. Proper now, his promise of fifty% progress in manufacturing 12 months after 12 months is below stress, however possibly 40% and even 30% will likely be adequate? There are many corporations that might be delighted to have that type of enhance in enterprise.
The Mannequin Y RWD could not have the cachet of the Mannequin Y Efficiency, however it’ll nonetheless blow the doorways off nearly each manufacturing automobile offered in North America. On a value-per-dollar foundation, it’s an absolute winner.
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Tesla Gross sales in 2023, 2024, and 2030
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