Tesla launches its longest range model yet, featuring new battery pack

Tesla has announced its longest EV range model, offering up to 830 km of range and priced at the equivalent of $A57,700.

The new single-motor Model 3 Long Range variant has been revealed on the company’s Weibo social media page, with improved acceleration and upgraded range over the existing single-motor RWD standard range entry-level model. 

The specifications shared include 830 km of CLTC range, which is likely to be closer to 700 km on the WLTP cycle used in Australia.

That’s around 10% more than the current Long Range dual-motor variant sold in Australia, which comes with 629 km of range on a single charge.

This range upgrade is credited to the use of a new 78.4 kWh Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese (NCM) battery pack supplied by LG Energy for Tesla’s long-range vehicles in China.

On top of that, the acceleration has been improved over the entry-level RWD variant by almost a whole second. The new variant can do the 0-100 km/h sprint in around 5.2 seconds, down from 6.1 seconds in the standard RWD variant.

To help with sales, Tesla is currently offering a range of summer incentives in the Chinese market, including 5 years 0% interest, an insurance subsidy of around $A1,700, charging incentives and Enhanced Autopilot transfer for a limited time.

Some of these incentives are similar to those being offered on Tesla’s vehicles in Australia to maintain a strong quarter of sales.

The new Model 3 variant was first spotted in regulatory approvals documentation in China and has since been added to the online configurator. 

While the entry-level RWD standard range has an estimated delivery date of 1-3 weeks, the new variant at this stage says September 2025 delivery which is not too much of a lead time over the standard car.

It’s unclear if this variant will make it to other markets outside of China, including right-hand-drive markets like ours in Australia.

Given the current market for sedans, it’s probably unlikely this year, and with improvements in Tesla’s supercharger network across the country as well as general improvements in battery tech, range isn’t as much of a consideration as it once used to be.

Pricing of the RWD single-range starts at $54,900 and delivers up to 520 km of range. The Long Range AWD variant starts at $64,900 before on-road costs.

For those looking for a long-range sedan today, there are multiple options in Tesla’s local inventory, offering up to 629 km of range today, including those discounted by up to $5,500 off the driveaway price, which could be a great buy.