Tesla has slashed Model 3 prices in Australia: Standard Range Plus now less than $65k

Tesla has slashed Model 3 prices in Australia, with the brand’s website reporting savings of around $4k on its most popular model. In fact, the new prices mean you can now drive away in a Model 3 Standard Range Plus for less than $70k, based on a NSW purchase.

Like most things Tesla, the exact reasons for the change aren’t immediately apparent, though fluctuations in the exchange rate and production pricing can impact the sticker price of vehicles.

Whatever the reasoning – be it Australia’s strengthening dollar of simply the whims of Elon Musk – it is the second time Tesla has slashed Model 3 prices in Australia in less than 12 months, with the arrival of the updated model last year also welcoming range-wide price decreases of between nine and 11 percent.

According to vehicle price data site Redbook, the MSRP on the Model 3 Standard Range Plus was $66,900, with that number climbing to $71,921 drive-away, based on a purchase in NSW.

But Tesla’s own website now lists the Standard Range Plus at $64,425, and $67,796 drive-away, again based on a purchase in NSW.

There’s savings to be half across the board, too, with the Long Range – which was $89,996 drive-away – now reduced to $84,129 for NSW shoppers. And the Performance – which was $106,376 drive-away – now dropped to $100,509.

The changes mean Tesla’s most affordable model is now closer to its key competitors – think Hyundai Ioniq Electric ($48,970, plus on-road costs) and Nissan Leaf ($49,990, plus on-road costs), and Hyundai Kona Electric $60,740 plus on-road costs) than ever before.

For the extra money, though, you’re purchasing a vehicle that promises to be a pretty good blend of excitement and efficiency, with Tesla clamming a sprint to 100km/h of 5.6 seconds, and a NEDC driving range of 508kms.