Tesla Model Y To Become More Affordable In India? Electric Car Maker Unveils New Standard Model

Tesla Model Y Standard: Tesla, the US-based EV maker, has rolled out its new, entry-level variants of the Model Y and the Model 3 in the home market. Billed as the 'most affordable vehicles', the Model Y Standard and the Model 3 Standard (as their names go) aim to attract a new class of buyers to the brand. The former is priced at USD 41,630 (approx. Rs 36.95 lakh), inclusive of a destination fee, while the latter carries a price tag of USD 38,630 (approx. Rs 34.29 lakh), inclusive of a destination fee and an order fee. The development comes amid dwindling sales of the model line-ups and growing competition in China and Europe. 

Tesla Model Y Standard: What's Changed?

The new Tesla Model Y Standard features a rear axle-mounted electric motor drawing power from a smaller 69.5kWh battery pack, down by about 10 per cent, delivering 296bhp (300hp) while hitting 100km/h in a claimed 6.8 seconds. The battery yields a claimed range of 517km (with 18-inch standard wheels). 

Features-wise, the Model Y Standard is fundamentally a stripped-down version of the brand's electric SUV. At its price, the more affordable version brings a metal roof (in place of a panoramic glass roof), fabric upholstery (in place of leather seats), and manually adjustable AC vents and steering wheel. While a 15.4-inch touchscreen is available, Tesla no longer offers an 8.0-inch rear touchscreen. Also gone are seat heating and ventilation from the rear and front seats, respectively.

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On the visual front, the Model Y Standard gets redesigned headlamp units (rather than light bars) and 18-inch wheels. 19-inch wheels are offered as an optional extra. Moreover, there are only three paint options to choose from – Diamond Black, Pearl White, and Stealth Grey. 

Tesla Model Y Standard: Will It Come to India?

Tesla India currently retails the Model Y in Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive configurations. The standard version delivers a WLTP-claimed range of 500km using a 60kWh battery, while the Long Range version offers 622km (WLTP) with a 78.1kWh pack. The car can accelerate from a halt to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 201km/h. 

With a price range of Rs 59.89 lakh–Rs 67.89 lakh, ex-showroom, the India-spec Tesla Model is among the priciest Model Y models in the world, courtesy of high import tariffs and lack of localisatio. The new Model Y Standard might be a game-changer for Tesla in the Indian EV market if the brand plans to launch it here.

Having said that, Tesla's new launches have also drawn sharp ire from some X (formerly Twitter) users, with one of them posting: ''The 'Standard' release for Model 3/Y is Tesla’s iPhone 5C moment. Musk, you can do better."

Tesla Model 3 Standard: Key Updates

Next up is the Model 3 Standard, which features a rear-mounted motor with a 69.5kWh battery. It can sprint from a halt to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds. The range figure is the same as the Model Y Standard, 517km, versus the 584km range figure of the Premium Rear-Wheel-Drive Model. The Model 3 Standard's 274km range can be added in 15 minutes. 

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Features include fabric seats, a manually adjustable steering column, and a new front camera. Like the Model Y Standard, this model also misses out on ventilated seats and a rear screen. Exterior colour options remain the same as the Model Y Standard.