Tesla Model 3
- All-electric with 210-mile range
- UK price expected around £30,000
- 5% BIK – see panel below
- 8 years battery warranty
- Full five-seater
- Deliveries start late 2017 in US, Europe follows
AT LAST!
After a decade of development and evolution, Tesla has finally unveiled its all-electric car for the masses.
Tesla Model 3 is its new mainstream business car challenger that’s set to take on the BMW 3-Series with a combination of price, real world practicality, great looks and a vital bundle of tax attractions for company users.
The two key eye-catchers are a price of 35,000 US dollars which should put it at around £30,000 – half the price of the current Tesla S – and a range of 215 miles on a charge.
But although Tesla is happily taking £1,000 returnable deposits and its UK sales team was busy from 5.30am on first day of order taking today, they can’t give or confirm even an “around £30,000” UK price, “due to currency fluctuations and other factors”.
And there is likely to be a wait, with a reported 130,000 advance orders even before the reveal, and production starting for first US sales in late 2017.
So by the time it gets here the range may well have grown and certainly the number of supercharger stations for recharging.
Tesla tax attractions
- £4,500 UK government grant
- 5% Benefit in Kind (BIK) for a company car purchase
- 100% first year allowance for company purchase until April 2018
- No Road Tax
- Exemption from London congestion charge
- No Showroom or Luxury Vehicle tax
- Salary Sacrifice scheme available to business drivers
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: “It’s about going where you want to go” and like the Model S it will have a choice of rear and all-wheel drive with a compact powertrain package that gives vast amounts of passenger cell and luggage space front and rear. Musk says you can even get a 7ft surfboard inside!
The front to rear roof will be one continuous sheet of glass.
UK deliveries will be after the new VED rates that from April 2017 will hammer all new cars priced over £40,000 – including zero emission electrics like Tesla S – with an £310 annual premium VED for five years. But that shouldn’t bother Model 3.
In contrast to the rather extreme £128,000 Model X Tesla SUV that’s on its way, the Model 3 will be a sleek coupe family car that will seat five adults in five-star safety.
And it will be a mover too, with a 0-60mph sprint time under 6 seconds.
