With range anxiety being ever-present in uninitiated EV buyers, the Tesla Model 3 has plenty of range for general driving.
And whilst highway speed driving is an EV’s enemy, the Model 3 seems to have enough for short, and medium, length highway trips as well.
Check out all that and more in this in-depth review from CarSales.
Permalink: https://www.autofinanceaustralia.com.au/vehicle-info/tesla-model-3-range-test
Tesla is far more than just a clever tech company, they are a serious electric vehicle manufacturer and the modern 3 is proof of that. Maybe it’s time you took them more seriously.
There are few car brands that attract as much attention as Tesla. A disruptive brand, a divisive leader and real financial losses create a hat-trick of controversy for the Tesla brand. And now as it hit six years in Australia, the Tesla Model 3 is here.
It arrives in two variants and the single motor rear-wheel drive standard range plus claims a single charge range of up to 460 kilometres.
We’re travelling from Melbourne to Albury to test the numbers.
So let’s talk about the many barriers to entering the world of EV motoring.
Well should we start with perceived or real. I mean, there’s range anxiety, there’s the charging infrastructure, there’s pricing. And they’re boring, dynamically flawed and ugly.
It’s really interesting because I think having spent a bit of time in this Tesla Model 3 that, those perceptions can start to change.
Well we’re now 175 kilometres into our journey and we’ve stopped at Uralla, which has the last supercharger before our destination. Our Sat-Nav suggested that we wouldn’t have made it and it asked us to pull over for a 10-minute supercharger top-up.
We’ve already chewed through 54% of our battery. Real-world in car data told us we’d be in the negative, minus 2% at the end of our journey.
So with our first supercharger stop under our belt I feel like we’re in a better position to have a conversation around charging and range anxiety.
Yeah, yeah, that real, that perceived, is probably in sharper focus now.
Range anxiety is significantly reduced but by no means is it gone.
What about your perception of price Nadine? Like $66,000, the standard plus rear-wheel drive that I’ve got here. If you look at Tesla owners in years gone by it’s always been, you know, the price has been prohibitive, but now, from $66,000, you’ve got to think it’s going to be a bit of a game-changer.
I mean, if you’re using the car for your urban commutes and to work, charging, sitting around at Uralla is probably never going to be an issue.
Carrying on with our freeway lengths the Tesla’s driver assist technologies proved somewhat random. Lane keep assist was intermittent at best. Autonomous braking demonstrated similar quirks, braking unexpectedly on occasion while the autopilot is best suited to long sweeping bends.
Despite these trust issues, the model 3 was a very comfortable freeway cruiser. And if it were a beauty competition we’re backing the model 3 as the showstopper. EV styling jokes are on their way out.
So, finally found some corners. Can the Model 3 also be dynamically rewarding and a bit of fun Ian?
Yeah, look, I think it’s great fun, it’s, um I’m quite surprising, actually the steering has great feel, it’s relatively light, it’s just over 1,600 kilos, but, it is that punch from the engine, that instant torque from the electric motor that really puts a smile on your face.
If you’re after a more pointed sports car feel it’s likely you’ll need the dual motor all wheel drive Model 3 Performance variant.
The interior is a story of modern design and cohesion and above all restraint. Less is more.
The tablet style heart in this vehicle is intuitive, informative and highly entertaining.
Space amenity and comfort are of a high standard and there are few compromises to speak of.
The model 3 addresses many prior concerns of would-be EV buyers, and may even convert some naysayers to team Tesla.
Some roadblocks remain, but we are heading in the right direction.
Tesla’s cheapest car to date may well be its most convincing, I kid you not!
Source: https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/tesla-model-3-takes-to-the-aussie-super-highway-121139
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