With an estimated 200-mile range and a base price of just $35,000 before incentives, it's no surprise that the Tesla Model 3 release date is eagerly awaited by many. For this reason, pushing back the much-anticipated EV's arrival wouldn't be welcome at all.
Inside EVs first broke the news that the Model 3 will be delayed yet again earlier this week. Reportedly, the website got hold of a slide presentation delivered by Tesla Motors co-founder and chief technical officer JB Straubel at the 2015 EIA Conference last June 15.
As the Washington Post noted, "the slide includes prominent text that reads '$35k 200-mi range EV planned for 2018.'"
However, Tesla dispelled the rumors of a delayed Tesla Model 3 release date. A spokesperson for the Palo Alto, Calif.-based automaker told Benzinga that the electric car "remains on schedule." The spokesperson reiterated Tesla's plans to show the Model 3 next year and begin production in 2017. The point is further stressed by communications chief Ricardo Reyes via Twitter.
"JB's slide is a high-level look into when the Model 3 will be in full production."
Benzinga has a different take on what the slide presentation could mean.
"It's possible Inside EVs took the slide out of context, which seems to provide a timeline for when battery costs for the Model 3 will [go down], not when the vehicle itself will go into production."
Also announced at the 2015 EIA Conference by Straubel was that the Model 3 will come in two body styles, sedan and crossover, according to Car and Driver. The two variants will help Tesla reach its long-term sales goals of 500,000 vehicles a year by 2020 as previously claimed by CEO Elon Musk.
An exact Tesla Model 3 release date has yet to be announced but it is expected to follow the Model X crossover which is expected to arrive later this year.
