Last time we saw deliveries of a new Tesla Model S and Model X was back in early 2021. These were still previous-generation models with no sign of the next-generation 2022 build cars in Australia so far.Ā
Now it seems that the new 2022 Model S Plaid has been spotted in China with tax exemption paperwork also coming into the spotlight. This highlights the imminent deliveries of the two luxury EV models into the worldās biggest EV market.
What do these updates mean for us here in Australia and will hundreds of order holders see their new Tesla Model S and Model X anytime soon?
2022 Tesla Model S Plaid spotted in China
The delivery of a new 2022 Tesla Model S started to emerge earlier this week with the Twitter user Yan Chang taking a video of the Tesla Model S Plaid in red being unloaded off the back of a truck.
BREAKING: The Model S Plaid was photographed for the first time in China, and I wonder if it's an official pre-test before delivery.@WholeMarsBlog @SawyerMerritt pic.twitter.com/LORd6yViho
— Yan Chang (@cyfoxcat) October 10, 2022
This is one of the first sightings of the new Tesla Model S on the ground in China and now it seems that the deliveries for many customers arenāt too far.
Now, a new tax exemption list in China for NEV (New Energy Vehicles) has been spotted to show Teslaās flagship vehicles listed there.
New Tesla Model S & X approaching customer deliveries in China
First reports from cnevpost of the new Tesla Model S & Model X surfacing on the latest NEV tax exemptions list is a promising sign that Tesla will start delivering these cars to customers shortly.
The list shows the battery pack and weight configuration of each Model S and Model X variant:
- Model S – MSP2P Variant: 672 km range, 100 kWh battery pack, 2,183 kg weight
- Model S – MSP2LR Variant: 715 km range, 100 kWh battery pack, 2,089 kg weight
- Model X – MXP2P Variant: 664 km range, 100 kWh battery pack, 2,468 kg weight
- Model X – MXP2LR Variant: 700 km range, 100 kWh battery pack, 2,353 kg weight
The range listed above is more likely to be on the NEDC cycle as the Australian specs show a lower range of 652 km instead of 672 km.
Itās the first time Tesla will begin exporting the new Model S and Model X to China since the launch of the Plaid models.
Australian order holders will have to continue to wait
Itās been over 18 months since any deliveries of the Model S or Model X in Australia. Many order holders have been waiting eagerly for updates on exports out of the US.Ā
At this stage, certain European countries and China seem to be the first cabs off the rank. All markets listed so far to receive these two models will be receiving the left-hand-drive models.Ā
Itās unlikely that things will change anytime soon with a minimum of another 12 months of wait for any right-hand-drive vehicle deliveries into our market.Ā
In the meantime, 2020 and 2021 Model S and Model Xs on the used EV market will be rare. Owners interested could get behind the wheel of one by buying a used example until the new ones finally arrive.
RizĀ 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.