Tesla has added a Long Range AWD variant as an option to the Australian configurator. Joining the standard Model Y and Performance models, the LR means those Aussies looking for an electric vehicle, now have a new option that offers the most range ever in a mid-sized SUV from the company.
The additional range is clearly the big drawcard of the LR AWD, offering as much as 533km of range on the WLTP standard. While it’s important to understand you’ll never get the theoretical maximum, this will get you further than any other Model Y on a full charge. If you’re a family that loves to go on holiday, take weekends away, or even road trips with the boy, in reality, the range is more likely to be somewhere around 480-490 km. This compares to the max range of the Performance at around 469km and the max range of the standard Model Y at 435km.
Some buyers are only looking at the mid-sized SUV category, while others are tossing up between a Model 3 and Model Y. For those buyers, the M3LR is rated at 602km, so choosing the additional storage and space of the Model Y is a 69km difference.
The Model Y starts at $74,686 driveway (VIC), while the new LR will see you part with $88,232 (VIC), a $13,546 difference. If you had your eyes on the Performance spec, you would need $105,464 and if you’re considering changing your order to a LR now, you could save $17,232 to either pocket or deploy on upgrades like upgraded paint colour, white interior, 20″ wheels and/or EAP or FSD.
The Long Range AWD will feature an impressive acceleration, darting from 0-100km/h in just 5.0 seconds flat. This is a significant improvement on the RWD that takes 1.9 seconds longer to cover the same ground. The fastest Model Y, the Performance variant can do the 0-100km/h dash in just 3.7 seconds. For most upgrading from an ICE vehicle, any of these numbers will be impressive, but the 5.0s available on the MY should give most seeking a sporty feel, a satisfying result, without having to spend up for the Performance spec.
For the past week, I’ve been reviewing the Model Y Performance, so the LR addition comes at a great time to do some comparisons.
When it comes to the additional range of the MYLR, it is important to understand the battery chemistry used is the same as the Performance spec and different to that used in the standard Model Y (in that case, LFP).
These chemistry differences have different properties, chief among them is their ability for an LFP pack to regularly charge to 100%, compared to a NCM battery pack that Tesla suggests charging to 80-90% regularly and only to 100% occasionally on longer trips.
The reality for most is that they will be fine with the daily range of 80-90% which means around ~375-400km, compared to a 100% LFP in the base Model that has a daily range of around 430km. If you’re someone who has a long commute, or this is a potential work vehicle, this difference may be meaningful, but for the vast majority of people who travel less than 100km per day, you’ll be fine with either.
Our charging infrastructure in Australia is finally starting to hit its stride, with new locations popping up every other week. Sure, there are issues and still locations you’d love chargers where there are not, but you’ve got to be travelling someone pretty remote to have serious challenges in 2023. Many EV owners enjoy the lower cost of travel and lower ongoing costs of running an EV and in particular, a Tesla (no scheduled services), right up and down the east coast and over the next year, travelling around Australia won’t be a struggle.
Overall the Model Y Long Range is another welcome addition to the Tesla lineup and slots in well between the standard Y and Performance price tags.