Is the Tesla 3 the electric car that will change everything?

(the-guardian-blog, 7 May 2016) At £25,000 it’s being hailed as an ‘affordable’ option, and an astonishing 400,000 have been ordered. But is it worth the asking price?

I t’s being marketed as the model that will finally make electric cars mainstream. To get one you will need a £1,000 deposit, and then have to wait for at least two years before it is delivered. But that hasn’t deterred enthusiastic motorists. So far 400,000 people worldwide have pre-ordered the hi-tech, super-stylish and (for some countries) “affordable” Tesla Model 3, a figure unheard of in the auto industry. So what’s such a big deal?

How is it different?

It’s all about the range and price. Until Tesla came along, pure electric cars were largely limited to 80-90 miles or so between charges – great if you never venture far from home, but not much use if you want to go away for the weekend. It is promising a 215-mile range and will accelerate from zero to 60mph in under six seconds. Fast charging in 30 minutes will give you a further 160 miles or so – enough for most drivers to get where they want to be.

It helps that it will be packed with the latest technology – there is no dashboard, just a large touchscreen that controls everything.

External link

the-guardian-blog, 7 May 2016: Is the Tesla 3 the electric car that will change everything?