- Tesla Model 3 vs Polestar prices rise
- Polestar 2 owners opting for longer range over EV subsidies
- Recent Polestar 2 supply adds additional pressure
In 2021, Polestar launched the Polestar 2 in Australia. Image: Riz Akhtar
Tesla Model 3 has been Australia’s favourite electric vehicle of all time, but late in 2021 Polestar aimed to change that with the launch of its Polestar 2.
How has the Polestar 2 been received so far? And, can real ownership data tell us why Australian owners are picking one model or variant over the other?
Today we look at some of the similarities and differences between the two EV sedans that are similarly priced.
Tesla Model 3 vs Polestar prices rise
Tesla Model 3 sold over 4,400 Tesla Model 3s in Australia in the first 4 months of 2022 while the Polestar has had just over 200 sales. The prices of the Tesla Model 3 have risen twice in 2022 and Polestar 2 has recently followed suit with a price rise to match the Model 3.
Source: carloop
A quick comparison between the two reveals that the most popular single motor, shorter range variant of both cars are similarly priced – presumably so these models become eligible for subsidies in many states and territories across Australia.
But there are key differences, one being the lack of a safety suite in Polestar, such as the Autopilot suite that comes standard with all Tesla electric cars.
Given safety is so important to many Australian families, it’s unknown why Polestar didn’t include some of the features as part of the cars delivered to Australia. Polestar’s safety suite is another $3,400 on top of the base price which brings the price of the car to $73,099.
Source: Polestar
Another key difference is the lack of a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and a heat pump. All Tesla Model 3s are delivered to Australian customers with these as part of the base price. Adding this brings the price of a single motor standard range plus model to over $79,000 driveaway.
Source: Polestar
For a little exrra, many prospective customers might start to consider the Tesla Model 3 Long Range which will have the safety suite, panoramic sunroof, heat pump, access to Tesla supercharging network and the additional 120kms of additional range.
Polestar 2 owners opting for longer range over EV subsidies
New data from carloop shows that Polestar 2 owners had greater range anxiety than Australian Tesla Model 3 owners in the first three months of 2022. This data covered 132 Polestar 2 models delivered to recent owners in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Source: carloop
Some 59% of Polestar 2 owners chose long-range options compared to only 14% of Tesla owners. The Tesla Model 3 long-range ownership data covers the Long Range and the Performance model.
The longer-range models from Polestar are not eligible for subsidies in a few states and territories. This reveals that Australian Polestar 2 customers are willing to forgo the generous subsidies and opt for a car with a longer range.
Recent Polestar 2 supply adds additional pressure
With recent lockdown restrictions in China as well as supply chain pressures, Polestar Australia confirmed a production cut last week. This will add further pressure to Australian deliveries meaning that many customers will have to wait much longer.
The delay in deliveries of EVs with a sharp increase in local demand is not just limited to Polestar but also to Tesla owners who are now waiting for production to ramp up in Shanghai.
EV uptake in Australia is on the rise but global pressures are continuing to impact on the delivery of desirable EVs for local customers.
Many Tesla Model 3 customers might not have the same level of range anxiety as Polestar data shows, the wait times are in some cases longer. It’s a space we will closely monitor as many more Australians patiently wait to get into their first new EV.
Keyword: Why most Polestar 2 buyers opted for longer range rather than subsidies