It seems like Tesla is inescapable in the news today. In addition to the current car lineup of the Model S, Model X, and Model 3, there are now substantiated rumors and reports of a new vehicle coming down the pipeline: the Tesla Model Y.
What’s the latest on the Tesla Model Y? (Updated January 2019)
During Tesla’s 2018 third quarter financial results call, Elon Musk said that he had approved a Model Y prototype for production in 2020. Musk further elaborated that the company plans to unveil the Model Y on March 15, 2019. It’s still early in the process, and given the Tesla’s previously missed deadlines with other car models and the Tesla Solar Roof, the actual release timeline for the Model Y may end up being drastically different than what Musk and other Tesla officials are currently saying.
Keeping up with Model Y news: what you might have missed
In May 2018, Elon Musk first hinted at the possibility of a new Tesla model coming in the near future. “Maybe a little less than two years, but basically first half of 2020 for production of Model Y,” he said during an annual company shareholder meeting. Without placing too much weight on the production target, this statement certainly indicated the company’s intention to bring a new vehicle to market in the next couple of years.
Whether or not that actually happens still remains to be seen.However, shortly before the official breaking ground ceremony at Tesla’s new Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, Elon Musk seemed to confirm on Twitter that the new factory would be the production point for some or all of the Model Y capacity once the car actually launches.
Model Y design, specs, and pricing: what we know so far
Not much is currently known about the specs of this new, intriguing car option from Tesla, but here’s what we can glean from the few official information releases:
Model Y design
In summer 2018, Tesla released the image below as a teaser picture for the Model Y. From this and other sources, it appears the forthcoming car is expected to be a small crossover-type vehicle with a hatchback. The one concrete point of design reference is that Elon Musk has stated the Model Y will have the same Falcon Wings as the Model X. Otherwise, we expect a similar, smaller design than the SUV-type Model X with more room than the Model 3.
Model Y technical specifications
The tech specs of the Model Y are pure speculation at this point, though it might be safe to assume that metrics like battery life, range, and car speed will be similar to the Model X numbers. There is, however, always the possibility that Tesla innovates further on their lithium-ion battery technology, creating a battery with even further range than other Tesla models. Given that the Model Y is intended as an economy version of the Model X, it’s performance certainly won’t blow that of the current car lineup out of the water. Beyond these details however, not much is currently known about many of its specifications.
Model Y pricing
As with its specifications, the Model Y’s pricing structure is largely unknown and is primarily guesswork at this point. As an economy version of the Model X, you might expect a price tag in between the costs of the Model 3 and Model X, putting the Model Y somewhere in the range of $35,000 to $85,000. Compared to the pricing for the current Tesla models, that puts the Model Y (hypothetically) on the lower end of the scale.
Power your new Tesla sustainably with solar energy
With their purchase of SolarCity a few years ago, Tesla made their wider intentions clear: to create a unique energy company built on solar energy and electric vehicles. The Tesla Solar Roof is their own unique product in the solar energy space, but Tesla also works with Panasonic to produce more typical solar panels.
Regardless of whether you’re considering the Solar Roof or want to install a solar array to help power your new electric vehicle, the best way to shop for a solar installation is by comparing quotes on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Our platform lets you freely compare solar quotes from local, qualified solar installers at some of the best prices available. Get started today by seeing what your solar savings potential might be with our Solar Calculator tool.
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