Tesla Model Y wait times increase on Performance variant

Published by

Riz Akhtar

September 13, 2022 9:28 am

Huge interest in Tesla Model Y in June has not slowed down. Image: Bridie Schmidt

Tesla in Australia has had huge success with the launch of its spacious all-electric crossover SUV, the Model Y. Thousands have placed an order for one, and deliveries commenced in August.

And interest in the Model Y is not slowing down since orders opened in June, it would seem, with Tesla increasing the delivery times on new orders on Monday of the top-of-the-range Performance variant.

How much longer do new order holders now have to wait and what does it mean for existing order holders?

Model Y Performance wait time increased by months

Tesla has updated its design studio in Australia to show April 2023 – June 2023 for new orders on the most expensive variant they currently have on sale in Australia.

Image: Tesla

This is up by two months whereas previously, it was February 2023 – May 2023. The base model RWD variant of the Model Y still has the same estimated delivery dates.

New Zealand to receive Tesla Model Ys earlier than Australia

The New Zealand Tesla configurator shows earlier delivery dates for both the RWD and the Performance models of Tesla Model Y. The Model Y Performance is currently 3 months earlier than the updated Australian delivery date.

Image: Tesla

There could be various reasons behind the earlier delivery date including demand differences for the Model Y Performance between the two markets, shipping availability, and a stronger EV uptake across the ditch.

Existing Model Y order holders’ delivery times to stay

With the recent upgrades to the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai that supplies all Teslas to Australia and New Zealand, the focus has been on the Tesla Model Y production.

Last month’s production data from Tesla revealed that over 74% of the EVs produced by Tesla in Shanghai were Tesla Model Ys.

This show the prioritisation of Tesla Model Y production and the wait times for existing Australian Tesla Model Y order holders are unlikely to increase.

Even with the increased wait time for new order holders, Tesla is still expected to ramp up its deliveries into Australia over the coming months. This would be positive for our EV uptake.

Riz Akhtar

Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.