Dwindling supply leads to another hefty price increase and lengthening waiting times for Australia’s favourite EV
Prices for Australia’s top-selling electric vehicle, the 2022 Tesla Model 3, have risen for the second time in less than a month – this time by as much as $4000 – with no official explanation as to why.
The $4000 price hike has been applied to the top-spec Model 3 Performance flagship sedan, while the entry-level ‘Model 3’ and Long Range variants have each had $3000 added to their asking prices.
As a result, the range now opens at $63,900 plus on-road costs, rises to $76,200 plus ORCs for the Long Range and peaks at $88,900 plus ORCs for the Performance; strengthening the Polestar 2’s now sizable price advantage.
For reference, the swoopy Swedish EV, which is also made in China, is priced between $59,900 plus ORCs for the base front-wheel drive Standard Range Single Motor version and $69,900 for the all-wheel drive Long Range Dual Motor, although key equipment packs remain optional extras and the rear-drive Tesla has a comfortable power advantage across the board.
Adding insult to injury is an “estimated delivery” time of “6-9 months” for all Model 3 variants, according to Tesla’s Australian website, and with no meaningful improvement in standard specifications it means the only thing customers will get in exchange for the extra cash is a complimentary long wait.
Such delays were previewed in early February when carsales reported Model 3 delivery times had blown out to between five and seven months as local supplies dry up amid the global production interruptions sweeping the industry.
There is some reprieve in that there’s been no change to the Model 3’s EV incentive eligibility in the states and territories that offer such a thing, even if the base model is inching closer towards the $68,750 threshold in South Australia (for three years free registration) and New South Wales (waived stamp duty for first 25,000 EVs registered).
Local pricing and potential delivery times for the updated Tesla Model S and Model X, including the rabid Plaid versions, remain MIA.
How much does the 2022 Tesla Model 3 cost now?Model 3 (a) – $63,900 (+$3000)Long Range (a) – $76,200 (+$3000)Performance (a) – $88,900 (+$4000)
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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Keyword: Tesla Model 3 goes up in price… again