Elon Musk will hand over 30 Tesla Model 3s at a launch party later this evening in what will be a momentous occasion for the company and automotive industry as a whole.
The Model 3 is the cornerstone of Tesla’s development plans, which began in 2008 with the Tesla Roadster. It’s the culmination of part one of the “Tesla Master Plan,” first revealed by Elon Musk back in 2006. The business magnate explained in the post how his company would start selling expensive cars to people who were willing to pay a premium. That would allow Tesla to start offering electric vehicles at lower prices with the goal of expediting the move to a “solar electric economy.” Today, 30 very happy people will take the stage and become the first to get keys to the car designed to achieve Tesla’s ambitious goal.
First Production Model 3 pic.twitter.com/TCa2NSUNI3
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 9, 2017
The electric automaker believes the Model 3 is capable of transitioning the industry to electric better than previous models because of its “low” $35,000 price point ($27,500 if you can score federal tax credits). This makes it one of the least expensive fully electric vehicles on the market, and one Tesla thinks has all the features to compete against gas-guzzling luxury cars.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXE4eKIg7_D/?taken-by=elonmusk&hl=en
We will learn a lot more about the Model 3 later tonight, but we got a sneak peek at one of the most intriguing features earlier today, thanks to an apparent error on Tesla’s website. Spotted by Electrek, leaked code appears to show the Model 3 will have a range efficiency of 237 watt-hours per mile. That’s significantly more efficient than the Model S (344 Wh) and Model X (369 Wh). What that means for range depends on the size of the battery. Most reports point to two battery sizes: 55 kilowatt hours and either 60 or 75 kilowatt hours—putting the Model 3’s total range between 250 and 300 miles.
We may also see the unveiling of full self-driving tech to the Tesla line tonight. In January, Musk said full self-driving capability would come to Tesla in “6 months definitely,” putting it right in line with today’s event.
3 months maybe, 6 months definitely
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 24, 2017
The handovers will start tonight at 8:45pm PT. That means it’ll be a late night for folks in the East Coast, who will have to tune in around midnight. You can watch the event livestream from the company’s website on either the main page or its Events and Presentations section.