There’s a new option on the Tesla Model Y order page, and it’s less expensive than any Model Y you could order last week.
The new entry-level trim for the popular electric SUV is called the “Model Y.” It has a starting price of $43,990 plus a $1,390 destination fee. The previous entry-level trim, the Model Y Long Range, also appears. Its list price is $50,490.
Related: Tesla Model Y Was the World’s Best-Selling Car Last Quarter
Tesla doesn’t operate a public relations department or answer reporters’ questions. So, the company often adjusts its lineup quietly, with no more fanfare than a new link on an order page. The base Model Y appeared this week after Telsa announced third-quarter sales results lower than most had expected. But it’s not likely a response to sales figures, as it takes time to retool factories to build a new trim level.
Tesla’s website lists the new base model as rear-wheel drive (RWD), with a range of 260 miles. All other Model Y trims have more range and all-wheel drive (AWD). That suggests that the new model uses both a single electric motor and a smaller battery than others, allowing for cost savings.
Tesla says all Model Y trim levels are eligible for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit, though the new one doesn’t yet appear on the government’s list of eligible vehicles. The credit has income limits, so not all buyers will qualify.
