Tesla gigafactories help deliver new EV production high

Tesla has had a record production quarter after reporting more than 365,000 EVs produced in the third quarter of 2022. Tesla also delivered 343,830 EVs from its four Gigafactories over the same period.

This is a significant achievement for Tesla as they continue to ramp up their existing and new Gigafactories. What do these numbers mean for Australian order holders and those looking at getting behind the wheel of an EV as fuel prices remain high?

Record production of 365,923 Tesla EVs

Tesla has reported the highest EV production by the company in a single quarter. The 4 factories produced a total of 365,923 EVs in the last 3 months. 

The Q3 production levels are 20% above Q4 2021 which previously held the record for the highest quarterly production. It’s also 42% above Q2 production where Tesla faced factory shutdowns due to Covid-19 outbreaks in Shanghai.

Nearly 95% of the production was for their more affordable Model 3 & Model Ys, accounting for 345,988 EVs of the total production. 

With the more expensive Model S & X, production remained comparatively low at 19,935 produced units. It’s still 52% above Q4 2021 production levels. Since then, customers are now unable to place an order in the Tesla design studio in Australia. 

Deliveries for existing customers are also unlikely before the end of 2023 for the updated high-performance, yoke steering wheel-equipped, more expensive EVs from Tesla.

Tesla Shanghai production shows good signs for Australia

Shanghai gigafactory continues to be a hugely productive asset for Tesla. It is predicted that this factory produced more than 50% of Tesla’s total quarterly production. 

That’s despite factory downtime to upgrade Model 3 & Model Y production lines in July and August. This will ramp up in a big way now that those upgrades are complete. 

The plant is the key export hub for Tesla EVs and has supplied every new Tesla to Australian customers this year. That’s in absence of Model S and Model X deliveries which have previously been produced in Fremont California for Australian customers.

With production upgrades for the Shanghai factory completed, Tesla is now producing a record number of EVs every month. Thousands have already been delivered to local customers in the last 3 months which sets the stage for a record quarter to finish the year off. 

This will be great news for Australian EV uptake as interest in EVs continues to grow with high fuel prices. Be prepared to see more Teslas on roads all around the country.