Tesla Model 3: $35,000 budget EV launches in Europe in six months’ time

Orders are now open for Tesla’s $35,000 (£26,400) Model 3, the cheapest car in the company’s all-electric range.

The new “Standard” Model 3 comes with a slightly shorter 220-mile range compared with the top-spec’s 325-mile range, says Autocar.

Above the Standard model is the $37,000 (£28,000) “Standard Range Plus” version, which has a 240-mile range and bridges the gap between the “mid-range, long-range and Performance models”, the motoring magazine says.

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Inside, Standard models are kitted out with fabric seats, sat-nav and four USB sockets, says Auto Express. There’s also a $2,000 (£1,500) “Partial Premium Interior” option, which includes a better sound system, upgraded cabin materials and 12-way power-adjustable front seats.

Despite the cheaper price tag, the Standard-spec Model 3 still boasts acceleration figures to give some sports cars a run for their money. The budget EV can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 130mph, the magazine says.

Tesla had initially promised to launch the Model 3 with a $35,000 price tag when the car was announced in March 2016.

The company instead focused on producing highly-specced Model 3s, which are more profitable than the entry-level EV, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Orders for the cheaper models are open now in the US. Customers in Europe, and presumably the UK, will have to wait around six months to get their hands on the budget Model 3, Tesla boss Elon Musk tweeted.

All sales to move online

Along with the Model 3 announcement, Tesla also revealed that it will be moving all its vehicle sales from showrooms to its online store.

The move is fundamental to the company being able to deliver the $35,000 Model 3 while still making a profit, the Evening Standard says.

During a conference call with reporters, Musk said the shift to online-only sales was “the only way to achieve the savings for this car and be financially sustainable”.

“It is excruciatingly difficult to make this car for $35,000 and be financially sustainable,” he added. “It’s 2019. People want to buy things online.”

From now on, Tesla will shut down all non-essential showrooms and “will be increasing its service centres and staff” across the globe, Bloomberg reports. Some showrooms in “key locations” will remain open.

Musk confirmed on Twitter that customers will be able to collect their cars from a nearby Tesla service centre or at a designated delivery location.

The company did not, however, unveil its new Model Y budget SUV as had been expected by some fans and critics.

Musk has previously hinted at a release date of 15 March for the new car, so fans may not have to wait too much longer to see Tesla’s electric crossover.