Connect with us
tesla tesla

News

Tesla lowers Model S, Model 3, and Model X pricing in eve of coming battery milestones

The Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3.

Published

on

Tesla has implemented a series of price adjustments for the Model S, Model 3, and Model X. Based on observations from the Tesla community, several variants of the three vehicles have seen their prices drop by as much as $5,000, on the eve of Tesla’s speculated rollout of its next-generation batteries.

Recent reports indicate that in North America, Tesla had reduced the price of the Model S and Model X by $5,000. The Model S Long Range now starts at $74,990 while the Performance Model S starts at $94,990. The Model X, on the other hand, has adopted the Raven Model S’ previous pricing, starting at $79,990 for the Long Range version and $99,990 for the Performance variant.

The Model 3’s adjustments were more subtle, with both the Dual Motor AWD and Performance version seeing a price reduction of $2,000. But the biggest update here lies in the price adjustment of the Standard Range Plus Model 3, which now starts at $37,990. This lowers the entry point to Tesla’s premium EVs, while closing the gap between the SR+ and the $35,000 Standard Range Model 3 further.

Price adjustments have been adopted for the Model S and X in China as well, with the flagship vehicles seeing a reduction in cost by RMB29,000 or about US$4,000. These reductions did come at a cost, however, as Tesla China’s Model S and Model X no longer have Free Unlimited Supercharging bundled in. Tesla China’s locally made Model 3 that are produced in Gigafactory Shanghai did not receive a price adjustment.

With such a widespread change in its vehicle pricing, speculations have emerged from the Tesla community about the reason behind the company’s recent adjustments. While some news outlets have noted that the reductions were likely implemented to boost wavering demand, a significant portion of the electric vehicle community are speculating that Tesla may have simply reached a point where its operations have become more efficient, and its production costs have gotten more optimized.

Advertisement

Interestingly, such a scenario was mentioned by the company in its first quarter earnings call, when Chief Finance Officer Zachary Kirkhorn mentioned that the Gigafactory Shanghai produced Model 3 still has a lot of potential for further price reductions. This, of course, becomes particularly notable when one considers Tesla’s battery innovations.

The Silicon Valley-based carmaker was expected to hold a Battery Day event this month, but the event was postponed partly due to the onset of the coronavirus. Speculations are abounding about what Battery Day is poised to reveal, with many in the EV community estimating that Tesla will be announcing several milestones, such as a million-mile battery and a system that allows the company to produce cells at around $100/kWh or cheaper. If Tesla is indeed close to these milestones, then a reduction to its vehicles’s prices may definitely be warranted.

After all, Tesla’s mission is to usher in sustainability by offering vehicles that are preferable alternatives to those that are equipped with an internal combustion engine. To achieve this, Tesla must make sure that its cars are within reach of the mainstream auto market. Price reductions are a great way to step towards this goal.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

Advertisement
Comments

Elon Musk

Elon Musk sends stern warning to Tesla vandals, doubters

Elon Musk sent another warning to vandals that have attacked Tesla for political reasons.

Published

on

NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elon Musk has sent a stern warning to Tesla vandals, doubters, and attackers, who have subjected the company and its owners to political violence through arson and other modes of retaliation.

Over the past few months, Tesla showrooms and vehicles have been hit with numerous attacks from those who have opposed Musk and his political involvement with the Trump Administration. Although Musk has stepped back from his role within government significantly since the start of May, the company is still looked at as a political target.

While the White House has put a clear-cut line on the acts, calling them domestic terrorism and holding those responsible for the damage they have done, there are still numerous and daily instances of keying cars or worse.

Yesterday, Musk continued to send stern warnings to those who oppose Tesla and choose to handle their distaste for the company with violence and vandalism. In a Bloomberg interview at the Qatar Economic Forum, Musk was asked if he took what has happened to Tesla “over the past few months personally.”

Musk replied simply but sternly: “Yes.”

He went on to say that not only will those who vandalized the company and its products owned by consumers be held to the fullest extent of the law, but also those who fund it.

Musk also said during a CNBC interview yesterday that very few people buy a company’s products because of the CEO’s political beliefs, and many people do not even know where those CEOs stand on various social issues.

Although Musk has gone out of his way to be transparent about his beliefs, he has a valid point. He obviously felt that, because of his influence, he held a duty to uphold American values and protect what he felt was an attack on free speech and human rights.

Disagreeing with Musk and his political stances is totally reasonable, but damaging products that consumers bought from his companies is not impacting him directly. Instead, it is making consumers’ lives more difficult.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla Model 3 gets perfect 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating

Tesla prides itself on producing some of the safest vehicles on the road today.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla Singapore/X

Tesla prides itself on producing some of the safest vehicles on the road today. Based on recent findings from the Euro NCAP, the 2025 Model 3 sedan continues this tradition, with the vehicle earning a 5-star overall safety rating from the agency.

Standout Safety Features

As could be seen on the Euro NCAP’s official website, the 2025 Model 3 achieved an overall score of 90% for Adult Occupants, 93% for Child Occupants, 89% for Vulnerable Road Users, and 87% for Safety Assist. This rating, as per the Euro NCAP, applies to the Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear Wheel Drive, Long Range All Wheel Drive, and Performance All Wheel Drive.

The Euro NCAP highlighted a number of the Model 3’s safety features, such as its Active Hood, which automatically lifts during collisions to mitigate injury risks to vulnerable road users, and Automatic Emergency Braking System, which now detects motorcycles through an upgraded algorithm. The Euro NCAP also mentioned the Model 3’s feature that prevents initial door opening if someone is approaching the vehicle’s blind spot.

Standout Safety Features

In a post on its official Tesla Europe & Middle East account, Tesla noted that the company is also introducing new features that make the Model 3 even safer than it is today. These include functions like head-on collision avoidance and crossing traffic AEB, as well as Child Left Alone Detection, among other safety features.

“We also introduced new features to improve Safety Assist functionality even further – like head-on collision avoidance & crossing traffic AEB – to detect & respond to potential hazards faster, helping avoid accidents in the first place. 

Advertisement

“Lastly, we released Child Left Alone Detection – if an unattended child is detected, the vehicle will turn on HVAC & alert caregivers via phone app & the vehicle itself (flashing lights/audible alert). Because we’re using novel in-cabin radar sensing, your Tesla is able to distinguish between adult vs child – reduced annoyance to adults, yet critical safety feature for kids,” Tesla wrote in its post on X.

Below is the Euro NCAP’s safety report on the 2025 Tesla Model 3 sedan.

Euroncap 2025 Tesla Model 3 Datasheet by Simon Alvarez on Scribd

Continue Reading

Elon Musk

USDOT Secretary visits Tesla Giga Texas, hints at national autonomous vehicle standards

The Transportation Secretary also toured the factory’s production lines and spoke with CEO Elon Musk.

Published

on

Credit: Elon Musk/X

United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy recently visited Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas complex, where he toured the factory’s production lines and spoke with CEO Elon Musk. In a video posted following his Giga Texas visit, Duffy noted that he believes there should be a national standard for autonomous vehicles in the United States.

Duffy’s Giga Texas Visit

As could be seen in videos of his Giga Texas visit, the Transportation Secretary seemed to appreciate the work Tesla has been doing to put the United States in the forefront of innovation. “Tesla is one of the many companies helping our country reach new heights. USDOT will be right there all the way to make sure Americans stay safe,” Duffy wrote in a post on X. 

He also praised Tesla for its autonomous vehicle program, highlighting that “We need American companies to keep innovating so we can outcompete the rest of the world.”

National Standard

While speaking with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Transportation Secretary stated that other autonomous ride-hailing companies have been lobbying for a national standard for self-driving cars. Musk shared the sentiment, stating that “It’d be wonderful for the United States to have a national set of rules for autonomous driving as opposed to 50 independent sets of rules on a state-by-state rules basis.”

Duffy agreed with the CEO’s point, stating that, “You can’t have 50 different rules for 50 different states. You need one standard.” He also noted that the Transportation Department has asked autonomous vehicle companies to submit data. By doing so, the USDOT could develop a standard for the entire United States, allowing self-driving cars to operate in a manner that is natural and safe.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending