Tesla is adding a larger battery to its Model 3 electric sedan, increasing the driving range by almost 10% up to 491km (WLTP) from a previous 448km for the Standard range Plus variant. And there is no indication of a change in price.
The battery size will jump from 50kWh to 62.3kWh (60kWh), while the Long Range also gets an upgrade from 75kWh to 82kWh. It also has a new increased driving range as a result, up to 614km from a previous 580km.
While we note that the WLTP driving range rating is based on lab testing, and real-world range will come in considerably lower depending on driving habits and conditions, the increase in range is nothing to be sneezed at.
The change was first flagged by @Vedaprime and confirmed today by an update to the Tesla website to reflect the new driving range. It applies to both Australia and New Zealand.
Australian Certification are showing updated #tesla model 3 var name in October
Between this & overseas sleuths, it is looking like Shanghai builds changed some point in October to the larger battery packs. WLTP 491km
Evidence growing for 62.28kW total with 60kW usable. LR 82kW
— VedaPrime (@VedaPrime) October 27, 2021
The change comes as Australia waits for the Model 3’s stablemate, the Model Y, to become available for order. While it was expected that it would become available before the end of 2021, this is now looking unlikely.
Meanwhile, electric SUVs are taking off in Australia, with the MG ZS EV, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Mercedes-Benz EQA dominating EV sales in October.
More electric vehicles will also be launched in Australia, such as the Polestar 2, expanding what is a very limtied choice for Australian drivers looking to make the change to electric cars.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.