Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk has confirmed that starting July 1, all Tesla vehicles will come with white as standard.
The statement, which was made in typical Musk fashion via social media channel Twitter, also confirmed that from July 1, black exteriors instead will cost $US1,000 more (an Australian pricing has not yet been released but it converts to about $A1,450).
Starting next month, Tesla will charge $1000 for color black (same price as silver)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2019
Instead of black, the standard colour will not be the current pearl multi-coat white offered for $A2,100, but a simple white.
A simple white (not pearl multi-coat)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2019
The sense behind this change will be well appreciated by drivers in Australia, with many lamenting the choice of free colours since the Model 3 was opened up for ordering on the Australian Tesla website last month.
The announcement to move to white as standard has sparked numerous comments on Twitter, with followers of the pioneering electric car brand overwhelmingly positive about the change.
However, there may be some frustration from Australian customers who rushed to the Model 3 configurator and ordered their long-awaited, more affordable, Tesla electric sedan – in black.
Black cars, with their inherent ability to absorb more heat, are not favoured in Australia where the climate tends towards hot for much of the country and increasingly due to climate change, more and more of the year.
Dark-coloured cars are also not as visible on the road as light coloured cars, as a study released by Australian motorist association NRMA has shown.
A report conducted by Youi in 2017 showed that Australian drivers prefer to buy white cars because white cars are less likely to be involved in accidents.
Some Tesla followers have made enquiries as to whether more colours would follow, however this has been knocked back by Musk due to the long term servicing implications.
Changing the palette is hell on service, because cars last for 20 years. Every color change has a long tail of hurt, especially for Model 3.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2019
