Tesla making progress with Model 3 + numbers

These days, most Tesla reports concern the Model 3 with the latest news being that the EV will make a formal appearance in Europe this fall. Production numbers are looking good too with 90,000 units made to date, while the entire Tesla fleet is clocking up miles on a global scale.

Let us start in Europe that is awaiting the launch of the Tesla Model 3 next year. But before the economy Teslas will hit the stores here, the Model 3 is to go on display at the Paris Motor Show this October. It will be the electric vehicle’s second appearance in Europe.

The Tesla website for the show states that all other information for reservation holders will follow at a later date. This is the original copy in French: “Les tarifs et les informations relatives aux marchés européens seront communiqués ultérieurement aux détenteurs d’une réservation de Model 3.”

Nothing has been said so far about which region may expect to get their hands on the Model 3 first. It is likely though, Tesla will prioritise supply according to demand. Moreover, a recent registration of the first VIN in Europe indicates that Tesla intends to stay on schedule.

Even in the States, the EV maker has been working very hard to ramp up production as planned, with mixed results.  While some reports suggested that Tesla missed their production goal of 6,000 Model 3 units by the end of August, it seems the EV maker is on target for reaching their goals in the third quarter of 2018.

At the time of writing, Bloomberg’s Model 3 production tracker showed over 90,000 Model 3 made so far, translating to an average rate of 3,486 units a week. This takes into account the slow beginnings however. The data is based on registered VINs, which are not a precise indicator for production numbers.

In any case, for the Model 3 to become Tesla’s vehicle for reaching the zone of profitability, they will have to decrease battery cost. After a visit to the Gigafactory 1 in Nevada, Tesla investor Worm Capital claims that Tesla is indeed on track to achieve the barrier-breaking “battery cell cost of $100 per kWh by the end of the year.”

Meanwhile, Tesla electric cars, including the Model S and Model X, have accumulated nine billion miles (close to 15 billion kilometres) with zero tailpipe emission.

teslarati.com (Model 3 coming to Europe), bloomberg.com (Model 3 tracker), electrek.co (battery cost), electrek.co (electric miles)