Electric
A quick guide to Tesla's long-rumoured entry-level electric car. Plus: Robotaxis!
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With the stainless steel-clad Tesla Cybertruck finally emerging to menace US roads, attention has shifted away from the polygonal pickup to the more down to earth Model 2, a promised mass market EV.
Quite recently, Reutersreported that Twitter/X and Tesla boss Elon Musk has given suppliers a mid-2025 target for the affordable volume car, though things may have already changed since then. Let’s have a quick catch-up session.
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What is the Tesla Model 2?
The so-called Model 2 is being touted as the most accessible Tesla yet. We say 'so called' because it doesn’t have an official name beyond its codename 'Redwood', but it fits with the automaker’s naming scheme.
There aren’t many specifics of what the Model 2 is, but there is plenty of talk of what it’s supposed to be. In that regard, the new Tesla is meant to be a consumer-friendly vehicle produced at twice the volume of the Model 3 and Model Y.
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As it’s meant to be a high-volume, accessible car the Model 2 is expected to come in at around $25-$30K. This price and plans for a large production output is a strategy to entice more pragmatic car shoppers away from standard top-sellers like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
What’s the Model 2’s range?
Given the price and what little we know, a ballpark estimate is that the Model 2 should hopefully have somewhere around 250 miles of estimated range. Why 250? It’s a best guest based on the tiny bits of info presented.
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We know that the Model 2 is going to be built on an all-new platform and that Tesla is looking to reduce costs by streamlining the manufacturing process. A new approach to the assembly is figuring out how to get more efficiency with less, and that includes use of its larger and more efficient 4680 cylindrical battery and potentially the 48-volt architecture carried over from the Cybertruck.
Without spiralling off into a dozen tangents, it’s all to say that getting an EV to 300+ miles of range takes some pricey tech, but Tesla could utilize what it has to get the Model 2 near to that while keeping the cost down.
Could there be a Model 2 with more range than that? Sure, but bet that it won’t come in at the eye-catching low initial price.
Where is it being built?
Tesla’s Gigafactories in Mexico, Texas and Berlin are expected to pump out Model 2s.
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Also… is it being built at all?
Hey what a great question. Another report from Reuters states that sources and internal memos claim that planned production of the Model 2 has been scrapped.
Musk replied on his X platform, stating "Reuters is lying (again)", so there’s that.
Soon after, he posted “Tesla Robotaxi unveil on 8/8”, which left more questions than answers, such as…
What is a Robotaxi?
A mobility solution from Tesla meant to compete with rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. The concept, which has been floating around for years, is a fully autonomous vehicle with no controls for humans to interfere with.
Can Teslas drive themselves?
No. though branded “full self-driving” by Tesla, the system is a SAE Level 2 driver assist feature that requires driver attention and that person must be prepared to intervene at all times.
“Full autonomy” has been a long-running Tesla promise, but its goalposts have shifted a number of times. To be fair, it’s not the only company planning on such a feature, but companies like Waymo are rigorously testing sensor-laden vehicles and barely achieving higher levels of autonomous driving.
Ford’s Blue Cruise and GM’s Super Cruise are similar hands-free driving assists that only work on designated highways, and those are also level 2 systems.
How can I pre-order a Model 2?
We suspect pre-orders would... go live on the Tesla website. Alongside a big reveal event, similar to the Cybertruck.
Can't wait? There's theTesla Model 3, though not for the budget price planned for the Model 2. For everyone else, there are more EVs available than ever to choose from, and plenty of those are pretty good too.
FAQs
Battery and Charging Related Issues
One of the key components in any Tesla vehicle is its high-capacity battery pack. While Tesla's battery technology has come a long way, issues related to charging and battery life can still arise.
What is the summary of Tesla? ›
Tesla, Inc. (/ˈtɛslə/ TESS-lə or /ˈtɛzlə/ TEZ-lə) is an American multinational automotive and clean energy company headquartered in Austin, Texas, which designs, manufactures and sells battery electric vehicles (BEVs), stationary battery energy storage devices from home to grid-scale, solar panels and solar shingles, ...
What happens when a Tesla battery hits 0? ›
Discharging the Battery to 0% may result in damage to vehicle components. To protect against a complete discharge, Model 3 enters a low-power consumption mode when the displayed charge level drops to approximately 0%. In this mode, the Battery stops supporting the onboard electronics and auxiliary low voltage battery.
What problem was Tesla trying to solve? ›
But Tesla did invent a successful business model for bringing compelling electric cars to the market. Part of the strategy was building a network of charging stations to solve one of the greatest obstacles facing the adoption of electric vehicles: refueling on long trips.
Do Teslas have more problems than other cars? ›
Tesla ranked 14th out of 30 automotive brands in the 2023 survey, up from 19th in 2022. Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand, was the most reliable in the survey, followed by Toyota, Mini, Acura and Honda. The five lowest-ranking brands were Jeep, Volkswagen, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler.
What are Tesla's biggest weaknesses? ›
For example, the cost of the electric batteries within the car makes up more than 50% of its cost. Also, despite being one of the most prolific sellers of electric vehicles in the world, the company has struggled to keep up with demand for its products, further exacerbating the problem of high prices.
What is the key information about Tesla? ›
Tesla, Inc., American manufacturer of electric automobiles, solar panels, and batteries for cars and home power storage. It was founded in 2003 by American entrepreneurs Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning and was named after Serbian American inventor Nikola Tesla.
What is the main focus of Tesla? ›
Since the company's inception in 2003, Tesla's mission has been to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy.
What happens 0% Tesla? ›
Do not assume that there is any range available when the range displayed on the touchscreen is at 0 miles (0 km) (or 0%). Damage to the low voltage battery due to running out of range is not covered by the warranty.
What does Tesla do if run out of charge? ›
What happens when my Tesla's battery dies? Your Tesla will no longer be able to drive once its main battery pack runs out of power. You can monitor how much power your Tesla's battery pack has by looking at the range and battery meter located at the top of your Tesla's large touchscreen display.
EVs are difficult to move without any charge in the battery, but you can still push them. EVs don't feature a standard transmission, but you can shift most into "neutral" when the main battery is out of energy because the power for this action comes from a separate 12-volt battery.
What is the cheapest Tesla? ›
Model 3. The cheapest Tesla Model 3 costs $38,990. The Model 3 is the smaller of Tesla's two sedans and its smallest vehicle overall.
What is Tesla struggling with? ›
In little more than a decade, it went from technology upstart to mass-market carmaker, invested billions in its clean energy business, and saw its value rocket. But now the company is struggling with falling car sales and intense competition from Chinese brands, as well as problems with its much-hyped Cybertruck.
What is the main problem with Tesla cars? ›
There have been reports of poor build quality in some Tesla cars, particularly with early models. Some common issues owners report include problems with the fit and finish of body panels, paint defects, and leaks in the sunroof.
What are the negatives of owning a Tesla? ›
Maintenance and Insurance Costs
Later down the road, you may also have to replace the battery, which can cost up to $16,000. However, Tesla batteries come with an eight year/150,000-mile warranty. With these high repair costs come potentially high insurance premiums.
Do Tesla cars have quality issues? ›
The brakes will sometime slam without warning. The range is often inflated. Autopilot is a mess. And now, according to Reuters, the suspension and steering columns on “tens of thousands” of Tesla vehicles are experiencing premature failure — sometimes after just a couple hundred miles of ownership.
What are the negative effects of Tesla? ›
What are the downsides to electric cars?
- Their batteries need rare metals. ...
- Making electric cars creates more emissions. ...
- They are only as green as their power sources. ...
- Electric cars can be expensive to buy. ...
- You can't drive as far in an electric car. ...
- There aren't enough charging points.
According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Tesla car batteries are supposed to last around 300,000 to 500,000 miles or about 1,500 times of charging and discharging.
