What if the new Tesla under 25,000 euros was a Model 3!

Tesla has decided to pause its project for a small car costing less than 25,000 euros. But this car may already exist.

We’ve read and heard everything about the small Tesla project costing less than 25,000 euros, which for simplicity we will call the Model 2. One-piece stamped chassis, design inspired by the Cybertruck to simplify bodywork, made available for autonomous taxi use,… In the end, Elon Musk articulated it best even though he made the decision to suspend its development. The CEO of Tesla had shared his thoughts on the car in October 2023, describing it as “cool” and “beautiful,” but above all “practical.” “ It’s not meant to fill you with admiration and magic, he specified, but to take you from point A to point B. “

So there’s no need for avant-garde design or cutting-edge technology. Just a practical and affordable car. So why not take a few Model 3 chassis from the production lines and equip them with the bare minimum to lower their price? We know the Giga factories are running at full capacity and demand is decreasing; this could open the model to a new clientele!

Let’s imagine a lower-end Tesla Model 3

Before the application of new customs fees, the Tesla Model 3 was offered in France for less than 40,000 euros. Let’s humorously go on a cost-cutting hunt! Let’s start by removing all unnecessary comfort accessories like front seat ventilation, the rear passenger screen, or wireless chargers. We can seal the glass roof and eliminate all the opening and shading mechanics to save a few more euros. On the technology side, we can finally forget about matrix headlights, Autopilot, and all expensive gadgets.

Next, let’s look at the LFP battery of 60kWh that offers 513 km of range. That’s far too much for our “less” Model 3, and it should be possible to negotiate a very low price at BYD or CATL for a few units of older generation with a charging power of 150 kW, or even 100 kW. There’s no need to break records when trying to reduce the price! Following the same idea, we can limit the speed to 150 km/h and set the motor to maximum eco mode for a 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds instead of 6.1 seconds. With 400 km of range, it can meet all needs, even long-distance travel. And with everything we just removed and a smaller battery, it’s easy to save weight, thus increasing range. This also allows for the selection of lower-quality and therefore cheaper tires from the vast Michelin range.

With all that, we may not yet be at 25,000 euros, but we’re certainly very close. Admit it, even at 30,000 euros, it doesn’t matter what your Model 3 contains as long as you have the appearance.

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