- Base price of $35,000, 220-mile range
- Standard Range Plus of 240 miles available for $37,000
- Tesla moves to online sales only, closing sales points
- Federal tax credit only $3,750, half of its rivals
The long-awaited $35,000 base model Tesla Model 3 is available to order, according to an announcement by the EV company. This version will be equipped with a battery pack with a 220-mile range between charges. A Model 3 Standard Range Plus will also be offered for $37,000 with a 240-mile range.
While Tesla estimates deliveries of the new models to take 2 to 4 weeks, there’s no word on whether priority will be given to those with existing orders or new customers for the Model 3. In a related move, Tesla said it is moving all its vehicles sales to on-line only, which means it will be closing all its existing sales points, but will maintain a few Tesla locations as “galleries, showcase and Tesla information centers” in high traffic areas.
Week-long trial period
Buyers of new Tesla models will also be given the option of returning the car after a week if they’re not satisfied for a full refund. Tesla said that it would shift its infrastructure investments to a service system with the goal of same-day service with technicians coming to the customer. The company is guaranteeing service availability in any country in which it sells cars.
Because of the long delay in the launch of the entry-level model, these newest Model 3 units will be eligible only for $3,750 federal tax credits and not the full $7,500 available to buyers of competing vehicles. That incentive will be cut again in half by the end of the year before disappearing entirely by mid-2020.
The Standard Range Model 3 boasts 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. The Standard Range Plus promises a top speed of 140 mph and 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.3 seconds. That more expensive model will also have more premium interior features as part of the price.
Bonus Content: See why the Tesla Model 3 wins a KBB 2019 Best Resale Value Award and a KBB 2019 Best Auto Tech Award
