New Tesla Model S and Model X finally approaching exports

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. 

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 world’s 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.

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 aren’t too far.

Now, a new tax exemption list in China for NEV (New Energy Vehicles) has been spotted to show Tesla’s 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.

It’s 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

It’s 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. 

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. 

It’s 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. 

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.