Tesla Won’t Produce Model Y Standard Range, But Will Add Model Y RWD

Elon Musk has shared several nuggets of information about the Tesla Model Y this evening on Twitter. We’ve got all the details below and will add more if Musk returns to Twitter to share more information.

Perhaps the most notable tweet was one stating that Tesla had decided to not produce the Tesla Model Y Standard Range (or Standard Range Plus), as Elon Musk considered the range to be “unacceptably low” if they did (fewer than 250 miles according to the EPA testing system). Note that the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is an even 250 miles at the moment — but was lower when it launched.

Sort of in place of offering that lower-priced Model Y, however, Tesla will offer a Model Y Long Range with a single motor instead of two motors “in a few months,” and the company just lowered the price of the Model Y Long Range AWD that’s on the market right now, as we reported last night.

A price of $45,000 (or $44,990) would seem logical based on price differences in other models, and based on Elon Musk’s reaction to that idea, I assume that’s what the price will be.

👀

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2020

Tesla is testing the range of the Model Y Long Range RWD at the moment and Musk says it will be well above 300 miles (EPA).

Doing range testing now. Number will be significantly higher than 300. Extremely good for any EV, especially an SUV.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2020

In response to another question, Musk tagged on the confirmation that Tesla would continue to roll out Superchargers and “destination chargers” on an ongoing basis — at an exponential rate even — to match growing vehicle sales and, thus, driver needs and desires.

Yes, in plan. Superchargers and public high power wall connectors will keep growing exponentially every year.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2020

This whole thread about the Model Y actually followed news of 250 kW Supercharging that’s coming to the Tesla Model S and Model X — Tesla’s larger and more expensive sedan and SUV, which led the company to where it is today but sell in much lower volumes than the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y.

We had to increase some wire thicknesses in S/X to reduce resistive heating. Technically, won’t be quite 1000 mph charging, as X especially is much bigger than 3.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2020

Frankly, at nearly 1000 mph charging, I don’t think there’s adequate time to use the bathroom let alone get a cup of coffee and play a couple of days of Stardew Valley, so I may protest this high charging rate. (Joking, not joking.)