Tesla pulls the plug on its cheapest electric car
Tesla has discontinued its most affordable electric vehicle (EV), the Model 3 Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive. Previously priced at $39,000, this model is no longer listed on Tesla's online configurator. The news was first reported by Electrek, noting that the cheapest option now available from the EV manufacturer is the Model 3 Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive, retailing at $42,500.
Model 3 Standard Range's features and challenges
The now-discontinued Model 3 Standard Range offered a full-charge range of 438km. It was powered by less expensive lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells manufactured in China. However, the Biden administration's decision to increase tariffs on Chinese batteries, semiconductors, and critical minerals could have made these cells more costly to import. This model was Tesla's only offering that neared the $35,000 price point of the short-lived Model 3 variant.
Tesla's new base model and delivery numbers
The Model 3 Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive, now Tesla's base model, is priced $3,500 higher than the discontinued Standard Range. For the increased, you also get more range as it offers an estimated 584km on a full charge. In other news, Tesla reported delivering 462,890 vehicles in Q3 of this year. This figure represents a 6.4% increase from last year's deliveries during the same period but falls short of analysts' predictions for over 469,000 deliveries.
Tesla's recall issues and future plans
Tesla has faced several recalls this year, affecting millions of vehicles. Most of these issues were resolved through over-the-air software updates. Despite discontinuing the Model 3 Standard Range, Tesla is reportedly developing a more affordable vehicle set to be announced in late 2025. It remains unclear whether this will be a new model or a simplified version of the existing Model 3.
