Tesla Model 3 certified for Australian market, with two variants and towing capacity

The Driven

The arrival of the Tesla Model 3 all-electric sedan in Australia is one step closer after the electric carmaker received official certification for the Tesla Model 3, and revealed some key details for those awaiting the online configurator page to go live.

Two variants are listed on the Road Vehicle Certification System (RVCS) where certification – in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA), is listed. Both variants have been assigned towing capacity – 910kg braked and 750kg non-braked.

That might not be enough to tow a caravan, granted, but enough to take a load to the tip.

The fact that only two variants have been listed suggests that in Australia – like the USA and Europe – only the Performance and Long Range versions of the Model 3 may initially be available.

This would be surprising if confirmed, because in the UK (the first right hand drive market to receive the Model 3), the upgraded version of Tesla’s base model Standard Range, the Standard Range Plus (SRP), was made available from day one of it being available to market.

This also has some serious implications for price – as noted previously in The Driven, the availability of a SRP Model 3 could mean the best-selling electric sedan might hit the Australian market in the same price range as Hyundai’s all-electric Kona, up to $65,000.

To read the full story on RenewEconomy’s electric vehicle dedicated site, The Driven, click here…