How much does a Tesla cost in Australia?

Teslas are the most popular electric vehicles available in Australia. And one model of Tesla, the Model 3, accounts for half of all the electric cars sold in Australia. With this level of demand comes a somewhat hefty price tag: The cheapest Model 3 Tesla starts at $59,900. However, because these cars don't use fuel and are environmentally friendly, they can save owners a significant amount of money in the long run. Even just one year after purchasing their Model 3, Australian drivers save around $1,200 on petrol compared to the average vehicle.

With this in mind, let's look at how much a Tesla will set you back as well as some other important things to know before buying a new Tesla.

The price of a Tesla in Australia ranges depending on the Tesla model, starting from $66,900 for the Model 3, to $209,400 for the Model S. So no matter what your budget is, you can find a tesla model that will fit within it. 

While the Tesla Model 3 has the most affordable price point, the cost can increase with any additional features and upgrades to the car. For example, upgrading to Autopilot will cost an extra $7,900 AUD or opting for all-wheel drive adds another $7,000. However, many see this initial purchase price to be offset by charging costs compared to petrol spending. Even just one year after purchasing their Model 3, Australian drivers save around $1,200 on petrol compared to the average vehicle.

Let’s have a look at the various Tesla models on the market, their price points and various features:

Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 boasts an impressive range of up to 500 km on a single charge, making it ideal for long-distance trips. Despite being the most affordable Tesla model available, it's a sleek, stylish and efficient electric car and has been designed to be easy to maintain. It comes with a range of features including an Autopilot system and safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning and blind spot monitoring.

However, choosing between different battery packs means the price can vary widely. Going up to the Long Range Model 3 gives you an increased range of 602 km and a top speed of 233km/h versus the 491 km and 225 km/h provided by the Standard Range Model 3. This upgrade means paying an additional $14,500 over the base model price. 

If you are less worried about range and just want performance, the Performance Model 3 comes with a top speed of 261km/h and does 0 - 100km in just 3.3s. For this added performance you have to pay an extra $26,100 on top of the base model price.

Model S

At the moment, prospective Tesla buyers are being told that pricing and configurations will be finalised as the delivery date for their new Model S approaches. However, we do know that the 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus cost between $107,200 and $135,520 depending on how you configure the car with options such as full self-driving capability. 

The current range of Model S electric cars that are only available on pre-order offer 652 km of range and a top speed of 250 km/h for the standard model or 628km and an incredible 322 km/h top speed for the Model S Plaid option. The Plaid also boasts the fastest acceleration of any conventional car (electric or otherwise) currently in production, reaching 100 km in just 2.1s!

Model X

If you're contemplating "How expensive is a Tesla?" or where to buy a Tesla in Australia, the pricing for the Tesla Model X Long Range begins at $161,990 (before on-road costs). For those aspiring to own this luxury electric vehicle, be prepared that the top of the line Model X Plaid starts at $174,990.

The Model X is more than just a car, it's an experience. The revolutionary Long Range's tri-motor offers an incredible 499kW of power and an impressive 580 km range - a performance that far surpasses any internal combustion engine. If you crave even more, then the Plaid with its 760kW of power and 547 km range will surely satiate your need for speed and efficiency.

When you decide to buy a Tesla in Australia, you might want to factor in the additional cost of the full self-driving capability, which comes in at an extra $10,100 on top of the base price. This upgrade not only increases your vehicle's capabilities but also allows you to modify the seat layout of the car. The standard model comes with a five-seat layout, with options to upgrade to six seats for $9400 or seven seats for $5100. Thus, you can customise your new electric vehicle to meet your personal or family needs.

Model Y

The latest version of Tesla's Model Y is expected to be available in Australia by May 2023 and will start at $72,300. The impressive range of 455km and top speed of 217 km/h make this an exceptional choice for anyone looking to travel with confidence. The dual-motor AWD 

Performance version of the Tesla Model Y comes in at $96,700 pre-on-road costs and comes with an additional range of 514 km and a top speed of 250 km/h, meaning you get a lot more performance and a significant range increase for the added price. Other upgrades for the Performance model include a lowered suspension, performance brakes, and 21" Überturbine Wheels.

Now that we have covered the different Tesla cars available, let's take a look at how long it takes to charge a Tesla in Australia.

The average time required to fully charge a Tesla is around 10 hours, depending on the model and power of the charger. There is a range of charging options available which all vary in speed, so let's take a look at some of the charging options available for Tesla vehicles in Australia.

There are two primary ways to charge your Tesla electric car at home: utilizing the Mobile Connector that comes with your vehicle or opting for a Tesla Powerwall. With the Mobile Connector that comes included with each Tesla car, hook it up to your vehicle and plug directly into any standard 240V AC outlet. For every hour you leave it charging, expect about 10-15km range. 

Tesla makes it easier than ever to keep your electric vehicle charged up with their Powerwall hardware that can be installed in the home. With this device, you'll receive reduced charging times and lightning-fast speeds for a dynamic Tesla home charging experience. Depending on the battery pack in your Tesla, you can expect a full charge with Tesla's Powerwall within 6 to 10 hours.

When you are out and about, the best choice for charging your Tesla is a public charger. You can find these in various Tesla Supercharger stations or Destination Chargers.

Australia has more than 50 Supercharger spots throughout the Melbourne-Brisbane route, boasting 24/7 availability. Just use a Tesla Trip Planner to determine your destination, and you'll be sent to any of Tesla's Supercharging network locations. When there, you can expect to be waiting as little as 30 minutes to achieve a 50% charge and around 3 times that to receive a fully charged battery.

Destination Chargers usually offer a range of 30km to 80km every hour. This means it can take you between 1 and 15 hours to fully charge your Tesla battery, depending on the remaining power level. You will find an ever-growing amount of these chargers in hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, and elsewhere.

While charging at home using the Powerwall and stored solar energy is free, you'll need to consider the cost of charging using other methods.

• Charging from the grid at home - you can expect to pay around 30c per kWh, depending on  the battery pack in your Tesla
• Destination Chargers - while this option is free in principle, many locations may require your custom for the privilege of charging your Tesla. And because it typically takes a few hours to get a useful amount of charge, the cost of frequenting the location can quickly add up.
• Superchargers - with an estimated cost of between $12 to $23, you can charge your Tesla at a Supercharger station.

Overall, the cost of charging a Tesla will depend on the method and location you choose, as well as your particular model.

As you can tell, the cost of electric vehicle ownership in Australia, specifically that of owning a Tesla, depends on a range of factors. And while Teslas may cost more upfront than traditional petrol-powered cars, they represent a long-term investment that can more than pay for itself in the end. With the cost of  rising fuel prices and the environmental benefits EVs offer, there are more and more people who are making the switch to electric vehicles.

When you do decide to go down the road of electric vehicle ownership, make sure you take the time to compare your EV loan options in order to find the best fit for you.

At Driva, we can help you to find the best rates available on electric vehicles in a matter of minutes. Our commitment to providing customers with an unbeatable rate on electric vehicle loans means that you can secure the best possible loan thanks to our innovative comparison technology. Put simply, our goal is to make sustainable driving achievable, empowering those with a vision of a better tomorrow to take their first steps towards an electric-powered future.

Who owns Tesla?

Tesla is owned by Elon Musk. Today, Tesla is one of the leading manufacturers of electric vehicles, with a focus on innovation and high-quality engineering. They also manufacture solar energy systems and advanced batteries for energy storage.

When was Tesla founded?

Tesla was founded in 2003, with the goal of creating an affordable electric car that would be accessible to consumers around the world. Today, they continue to push the boundaries of automotive technology and innovation.