INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Tesla is now producing and selling the long-range rear-wheel-drive version of its Model 3 electric vehicle at its Shanghai factory, a month
after receiving approval from the Chinese government.
The move might not be a milestone, but it notable because Tesla discontinued
production of the long-range RWD Model 3 in the U.S
and now only offers that variant as a dual-motor all-wheel drive
It also marks a shift from Tesla initial plan to sell a more basic version of the Model 3 in China.
The company updated its China website
showing the standard-range-plus model — the first vehicle produced at the Shanghai factory — as well as the long-range RWD and
performance versions of the Model 3
Bloomberg was the first to report the change
The long-range RWD version starts at 366,550 yuan, or about $52,000 after incentives
Deliveries of the long-range RWD version are expected to begin in June.
The standard-range-plus model starts at 323,800 yuan, or about
$46,000, before local subsidies.
The standard-range-plus Model 3 can travel 276 miles on a single charge, according to Tesla China website
The same website says the long-range RWD Model 3 has a range of 668 km, or 415 miles
Those range estimates are based on the New European Driving Cycle, a forgiving standard that Europe replaced several years ago with the WLTP
The real-word range is likely much lower.
Image Credits: Tesla/screenshot
Teslastarted producing a standard-range-plus rear-wheel-drive
version of the Model 3 at its Shanghai factory late last year
Thefirst deliveries began in early January
The March approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology gave Tesla permission to add another variant to its Chinese
portfolio.
Eventually, Tesla plans to manufacture the Model Y electric vehicle at the China factory.
