Tesla Model 3 EV Production Ramps, First Customer Deliveries Begin July 28th
Musk went on to add that the first 30 vehicles coming off the assembly line will be delivered to customers on July 28th. From there, production will elevate to 100 cars per month in August, and should surpass 1,500 cars per month in September. If all goes according to schedule, Musk says that Tesla will produce 30,000 Model 3 EVs per month in December.
So far, the rollout of the Model 3 looks to be going as planned, which we couldn’t say for Tesla’s previous launches of the Model S and Model X. Both of those EVs were plagued with production issues that delayed their introduction to the public. However, the Model 3 is actually moving along slightly ahead of original projections, as Musk initially stated that customers would first begin receiving their vehicles in late 2017.
Tesla will be able to quickly ramp initial production because options will be incredibly limited for the first customers. They will only be able to choose from wheel size and the color of the vehicle. Eventually, the options available will increase, but configurability will pale in comparison to the Model S and Model X. While there are roughly 1,500 configuration possibilities for the Model S, the Model 3 will have fewer than 100.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that battery cell production for the Model 3 had already commenced at the Gigafactory, which is located in Nevada. The Model 3 battery packs feature a new 2170 battery cell that [likely] incorporates Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA) chemistry.
Tesla has secured over 400,000 reservations for the Model 3, with each prospective buyer handing over a $1,000 refundable deposit. The vehicle has a traditional rear trunk (unlike the hatchback on the Model S), a front trunk and has seating for five adults. The Model 3 is capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and has a driving range of over 215 miles.
