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First look at Tesla Model 3 right-hand drive deliveries to UK customers
Tesla customers in the UK have begun taking delivery of their Model 3 right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles after a two year-long wait since the all-electric midsize sedan debuted in the US.
The Model 3 RHD variants were first spotted on delivery trucks outside of London earlier this week by a few eagle-eyed UK residents. CEO Elon Musk later acknowledged the cars being towed were intended for customers via Twitter after photos made the rounds on news outlets and social media. “Model 3 arriving in UK,” he confirmed, citing an article featuring the images.
Tesla’s online configurator was opened to UK residents on May 1, as originally promised by Musk, and it appears that the first RHD deliveries went out customers whose orders were placed in the days immediately following. Images shared of a newly-delivered Deep Blue Metallic Model 3 were posted by a UK customer who previously confirmed their order on May 2nd. The same early bird customers also appear to be those who received a text message from Tesla last week promising a June 20th delivery date.
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As seen in photos posted by one of the newest UK Model 3 owners, the symmetry of the vehicle has resulted in a seamless, mirror-image production of the left-hand drive variant. Notably, the positioning of the car’s image on the touch screen is also mirrored for right-hand drive customers. Elon Musk previously touted elements of the Model 3 design which specifically enabled multiple driving configurations with only minimal retooling and engineering.
Another UK customer who purchased a Pearl White Multi-Coat Model 3 RHD noted that his vehicle was one of an initial batch of 50 RHD deliveries. Several more shipments are reportedly arriving in the UK soon, though, according to one reservation holder and Tesla Motors Club member who received a call from Tesla indicating the same. Specifically, out of 1,000 cars on the recently-arrived cargo ship Grand Mark, 150 of them are Model 3 RHD set for delivery at the end of June. Following that shipment are two other ships with 2,000 RHD cars each set for deliveries in July and August, per the call from Tesla.
Tesla’s UK customers are eligible for the country’s £3,500 plug-in grant, the deduction for which is included in the online configurator pricing, and are exempt from the daily £11.50 London Congestion Charge. This benefit is currently available for plug-in hybrids as well; however, beginning in October 2021, only all-electric vehicles will qualify. Tesla customers will also have access to the London Ultra Low Emission Zone without paying the noncompliance fee of £12.50. Altogether, UK Model 3, Model S, and Model X owners will benefit from significant savings via their Tesla ownership on top of no longer needing gasoline.
With thousands of Model 3 deliveries yet to come in the UK, Tesla customers in the country may be able to take advantage of a more streamlined manufacturing and order fulfillment process now that the company has a fair amount of logistics under its belt. The current on-time deliveries certainly seem to indicate this may be the case.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
