Tesla Model Y Long Range now available in Australia; price reductions on other Teslas

April 11, 2023April 11, 2023 EV Central team 6053 Views

Tesla has added the Model Y Long Range dual motor all-wheel drive to its Australian line-up and reduced the price of the Rear-Wheel Drive in the mid-sized SUV range.

Priced from $81,900 plus on-road costs, the mid-spec version of Australia’s top-selling electric SUV is available for delivery from May to June.

With all other colours adding at least $1500 to the price and GST included, only white examples of the Long Range undercut the luxury car tax threshold and are eligible for an FBT exemption.

The car is priced above the price threshold for state government EV rebates.

However, Tesla has knocked a few thousand dollars off the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive, which is the top selling prestige SUV in the country – and one of the top selling vehicles in Australia. The Model Y RWD now sells from $68,900 plus on-road costs.

As with other Model Ys, the Chinese-built Long Range will only be a five-seater as the seven-seat option is only offered for Model Ys sold in North America.

The Model Y Long Range sits between the $68,900 Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive and the $94,900 Performance. All prices are plus on-road costs and for the Performance at least another $3500 in luxury car tax.

Tesla claims a 533km WLTP range, 5.0 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint and 217km/h top speed for the Model Y Long Range.

The Performance manages 514km and the Rear-Wheel Drive 455km.

However, the Rear-Wheel Drive is the only one of the trio using lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry. While LFP batteries typically don’t hold as much energy, they are recommended to be regularly topped up to 100 percent.

The NMC-type lithium-ion batteries in the Model Y Long Range and Performance are recommended to only be charged to 100 percent when embarking on a longer journey. For daily running something like 80 percent is recommended; that would reduce the Long Range’s everyday range to about 426km.

In either case, the WLTP rating is optimistic for many people’s regular driving style, so knock at least 10 percent off for something more realistic.

The Tesla Model Y Long Range largely shares its list of features with the Rear-Wheel Drive, although it also picks up front foglights. The list of standard equipment includes:

Panoramic glass sunroof
15-inch centre display
Satellite-navigation
Dual wireless phone chargers
Vegan interior with leather-look trim
13-speaker audio
Powered front seats
Powered steering wheel adjustment
Heated front and rear seats
Heated steering wheel
Adjustable seatbacks for row two
Fold-flat capability for row two with an electronic release in the boot.

The Model Y Long Range rolls on the same 19-inch Gemini alloy wheels with plastic wheel covers used on the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive. It can be upgraded to 20-inch Induction alloy wheels for $2400.

A black interior is standards, a black and white interior costs $1500.

Enhanced Autopilot is a $5100 option, while Full Self Driving – which is still being developed – is $10,100.

The car comes with no home charging equipment. It must be purchased separately.

In announcing the Model Y Long Range Tesla also reduced prices of the Model 3 sedan that is the top seller in its class. All models have dropped in price by a few thousand dollars. The Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive now sells from $60,900 plus on-road costs, the Model 3 Long Range is $73,900 plus costs and the Model 3 Performance is now $86,900 plus costs.