The Tesla Model Y is getting ever closer to a launch date with news that Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for the upcoming all-electric crossover vehicle can now be decoded at the US National Highway Traffic and Safety (NHTSA) website.
The addition of the Model Y to the decoder is one more step in the process before deliveries can begin, and follows news The Driven reported on yesterday that the Californian Air Resources Board (CARB) has also issued certification for the Model Y.
The arrival of the Tesla Model Y on the US and eventually global market has the potential to further cement the Californian EV maker, which is now worth more than Ford and General Motors combined, as a juggernaut that has forever changed the world’s automotive landscape.
CEO and co-founder Elon Musk believes Tesla may sell more Model Y vehicles than the Model 3 (which has already become a best-selling electric vehicle in the US and other global markets including Australia), Model S and Model X sales added together.
Now that the Model Y has also been added to Tesla’s manufacturer listing on the NHTSA website, one cannot help but wonder if Musk is planning to coincide an announcement of the Model Y launch at the upcoming Q4 2019 earnings call that will be held in coming weeks.
NHTSA’s VIN decoder was an instrumental tool for tracking production of the Model 3 as Tesla ramped up its output in 2018 (although it must be noted assigning a VIN does not in itself mean a particular vehicle has been produced). It has also been useful for tracking shipping of the Model 3 to overseas markets such as Australia.
This chart demystifies what a VIN denotes: most importantly, 5YJ refers to Tesla Motors and Y, the Model Y.
An example such as this VIN “5YJYGDEF2LFR00942” given by Electrek breaks down as the following:
| Position | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Manufacturer | 5YJ = Tesla Motors, Inc. |
| 4 | Make | Y = Model Y |
| 5 | Body Type and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) | G = Body Class: Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), Class 1D: 5,001 – 6,000 lb (2,268 – 2,722 kg) |
| 6 | Restraint System | D = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3), PODS. Driver and Passenger have front, knee, and side airbags |
| 7 | Battery/Fuel Type | E = Lithium Ion Battery – Electric |
| 8 | Motor/Drive Unit | F = Model Y Dual Motor — Performance |
| 9 | Check Digit | 2 |
| 10 | Model Year | L = 2020 |
| 11 | Location of Manufacture | F = Fremont, CA, USA |
| 12-17 | Serial Number Digits | The final 2 digits are unique to each vehicle |
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that cargo ships are required to list a range of VINs for models they are shipping.
Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology, and has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability.
