In what seems like a move shrouded in secrecy, Tesla recently added a new base trim of the Model Y to its nationwide inventory. The new Model Y Standard Range utilizes 4680 battery cells that is produces at its Texas plant and has an EPA-estimated range of 449 km. Not only is the trim level not currently available on the configurator, but it seems like it might already be sold out.
That’s an odd circumstance too because
from what we can tell, the new Model Y Standard Range isn’t exactly a screaming
deal. We told you earlier this month that a new Model Y trim was likely on its
way. Even then, we said that its likely US$ 61,990 price tag wasn’t much of a
discount on the Long Range version with 531 km of range.
Now, multiple sources including C&D
are saying that indeed, a Model Y Standard Range with dual motor AWD was
available online. It matched the stats we reported earlier this month down to
the fact that it was US$ 2,000 cheaper than the Long Range Model Y. The weird
thing is, we can’t find a single example of it nationwide.
Regardless, it seems very likely that
whether the first batch released are part of a slow roll out or something else,
Standard Range Model Ys are coming. Keep in mind that now, Tesla has dropped
its pricing across the lineup so the new starting price of a Model Y could end
up being south of US$ 53,000.
It’s worth noting again that this
4680-battery-equipped Standard Range version of the Model Y features dual-motor
AWD. That’s different from the previous standard range RWD Model Y and the
current Model 3 base trim. According to Teslarati, only a handful of folks have
had the chance to pick up a 4680-equipped Model Y.
