The affordable, sub-$30,000 Tesla has been in CEO Elon Musk and investor’s mouths for quite some time now, but what we ended up getting at Tesla’s latest product reveal was a Cybercab Robotaxi that’s only scheduled for 2027. But then, during an earnings call not long after the Cybercab’s reveal, Elon Musk spoke of Tesla’s plans to begin production of more affordable models as of next year, a surprise given he had previously said the company scrapped that project.
These models, according to Wall Street analysts, could end up being watered-down versions of existing vehicles at Tesla, such as the Model 3 and Model Y. But now, it appears like a sixth model will be added to Tesla’s lineup ahead of the Cybercab, or so the rumor says. Tesla could finally be in the process of developing the much-awaited cheap electric vehicle (EV) everyone has been waiting for, and it could be called the Model Q.
Tesla Model Q Could Be Smaller And Lighter Than A Model 3
These rumors apparently come from reports from China stating that during an investor meeting with Deutsche Bank, Tesla’s head of investor relations, Travis Axelrod, apparently confirmed the company’s formal plans to launch a new vehicle called the Model Q in the first half of next year.
Sources close to the matter predict a Tesla that would be priced below the $30,000 mark, built on Tesla’s latest “unboxed” platform that it plans on using for the Cybercab. If this is true, it would allow the Model Q to be 15% smaller and 30% lighter than a Model 3, making it considerably less resource-dense to build and, in turn, less costly for Tesla. It will also be rather tiny, sources say, measuring no more than 157 inches long, or a full 28 inches shorter than a Model 3. In terms of size, the Model Q could therefore be similar to a subcompact car like a Toyota Yaris.
Two Battery Options Could Be Offered
The rumor also states that the Model Q – also known internally at Tesla as “Project Redwood” – could be powered by a choice of two LFP batteries (for lithium iron phosphate) with a capacity of either 53 or 75 kWh, as well as single or dual motor configurations. But the expected range is still unknown.
It’s also important to underline that everything you just read is still in the speculation phase. While it may be true that Tesla is currently working on something new and affordable, the carmaker has a reputation for making big promises and delivering late. So we’ll need to sit back and take all of this with a grain of salt for now. That being said, we’ll continue following the Tesla Model Q’s development closely and will report back here once we know more.
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